How are the inlet temperatures of crude oil for electrodesalination adjusted in various plants?
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In our workshop, the temperature of the crude oil before it enters the tank is adjusted through heat exchange by using a side stream to remove the heat source from the crude oil, thereby regulating its temperature before processing. I would like to ask why temperature adjustment isn’t done before processing; adjusting the temperature after processing is slow, and the range of possible adjustments is limited. How is the inlet temperature of electrodialyzed crude oil to the tanks adjusted in everyone’s units?
Our atmospheric three-line is not in operation, so steam is passed through this heat exchanger for adjustment
The key is to optimize the heat exchange process by using routine operational data
For capacities of over 5 million tons per year, strict requirements exist for regulation; care must be taken as otherwise vapor resistance will occur. For capacities below 5 million tons per year, the requirements are not so strict, but attention still needs to be paid to the temperature at the heat exchange terminal
Reply to 2# Trace elements: This method is great. What kind of steam is used? What is the energy consumption like? What is the approximate range of temperature control achievable by using a heat exchanger to regulate the steam temperature? Thank you; the moderator is really helpful
Reply to 6# mpcchuang: Then why is the temperature adjusted through the side line of the post-dehydration heat exchanger? Why not adjust it using the heat exchanger before dehydration?
We use heat exchangers for adjustment; the adjustment range is 20-40 degrees, and the steam consumption is very low, with DN20 pipes being used!
Originally, we mainly drove the system at high speed to accelerate the heating of the electrodesalination unit, which is why steam from heat exchangers was used!
Our catalytic unit features a dual lift pipe and dual fractionation tower; currently, only one heavy oil lift pipe is in use. The temperature for electrodesalination is controlled by adjusting the ratio of feed oil flowing into the light top circulation heater and the heavy top circulation heater. Operational fluctuations are significant, and temperature control is done manually, which is rather cumbersome.
Reply to 9# hero9city: There are two or three streams of crude oil before separation; to increase the temperature of the oil entering the tank, it is necessary to adjust the flow rate of the crude oil so that the temperature of the oil entering each stream is the same. This approach can cause uneven distribution of the crude oil. A small degree of uneven distribution is acceptable, but a large degree of it can lead to vapor resistance. However, even when the temperatures of the various crude oil streams are adjusted to be the same, if the process requirements are still not met, it is necessary to use a bypass line for the heat exchanger in order to move the heat source closer to the point of use. We do not recommend using a bypass line for the heat source of the crude oil after separation, as this will lower the temperature of the oil entering the initial distillation tower. If the temperature of the residue leaving the unit is low, it is best to use a bypass line for heat exchange between the light crude oil and the residue. I have a guide on adjusting heat exchange processes; if you need it, please send your email address to mpcchuang@163.com
Reply to 8# Trace elements: Does using a pre-evaporation heat exchanger to regulate the temperature of crude oil entering the evaporation tower have a significant impact? This results in a lot of wasted heat. Moderator, could you please provide more details on how to use steam for regulation? How many tons of steam are required per hour?