Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Abnormalities in the products of an atmospheric distillation column used for separating benzene and toluene
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A distillation tower used for separating benzene and toluene was functioning normally until it suddenly started to malfunction; its separation efficiency decreased, with more toluene appearing at the top of the tower and more pure benzene at the bottom. Yet the operating parameters of the tower remained normal. What should be done? What methods should be used for adjustment? Should the tower pressure be adjusted?
It is estimated that flooding occurred, commonly known as tower flooding. Since it is a atmospheric pressure tower, check whether there are any traces of material at the vent pipe of the top condenser This speaks volumes. Once the tower is overpressured, the composition of all the tray layers becomes chaotic; it is recommended to shut down the unit and allow the liquid on the trays to flow down to the bottom of the tower, before restarting it. I doubt what you said—that “the operating parameters of the tower are normal”. The temperatures at various points inside the tower (top, middle, bottom) will deviate from the normal values.
The pressure differences are all within normal ranges; the temperature difference across the upper trays has not changed either, and the materials at the top and bottom are being removed as usual
Dear experienced experts, please help out!
Since there is more toluene at the tower top, the temperature at the tower top must be higher than before； Similarly, if there is more pure benzene at the bottom of the tower, then the temperature at the tower bottom will definitely be lower than before.
No change can be observed in the parameters; the temperature of the sensitive board is normal. Based on the curves, everything is within normal limits, with no trend of increase or decrease
You might consider upgrading your tower. I’m working on a project for the advanced processing of toluene, and I can share some insights with you