In summer, the temperature of the acid in the upper part of the dryer is high
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We have a sulfuric acid production plant with a capacity of 300,000 tons per year. In the summer, due to high ambient temperatures, even when all the outlet valves for the circulating water are opened, the temperature in the upper tower still fails to drop to the required level of around 60°C. As a result, we are forced to operate at reduced capacity. Our 3+1 process involves four separate streams: one stream goes directly to the first absorption tower, another to the HRS, another to the purified sulfuric acid, and yet another to the nicotinic acid tower. There is a common circulation tank for these three towers, and the water inlet for this tank is located right next to the circulation pump of the drying tower. I would like to ask the experts and experienced colleagues: has anyone encountered such a situation during operation? Any creative ideas for process adjustments? Note: The flue gas after the economizer is at around 140°C, indicating that the economizer is operating properly. I would appreciate the advice from all experts!
Do your recirculation tanks have cooling tower fans installed? What should be the temperature control for the circulating water supply and return water? Consider controlling the circulating water temperature to reduce the acid temperature in the upper tower! Also, is your drying tower located in front of or behind the blower? If it is placed in front of the fan, it will increase the load on the circulating cooling water!
The heat exchange area of the designed heat exchanger is insufficient; adding another heat exchanger can solve this issue.
Hehe, I’m not worried about the unsightly appearance or environmental issues; I’ll just add a spray system to the acid cooler and get by for now, and then investigate what the real cause is when I have time
Appropriately increasing the plate exchange area for dilute acid and reducing the moisture content of the flue gas at the inlet of the drying tower can also lower the acid temperature in the drying tower. Additionally, reducing the amount of water added to the drying acid, or increasing the amount of cooling water and lowering the cooling water temperature, might solve your problem.