Determination of the leakage location in a methanol synthesis tower
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Determination of the leakage location in the methanol synthesis tower: The by-product steam from a 200,000-ton methanol plant contained large amounts of non-condensable gases. Analysis of the composition of these non-condensable gases showed: H2: 65.86%, CO: 10.15%, CO2: 3.03%, N2: 15.39%, CH4: 5.18%. Analysis of the gas composition entering the tower revealed: H2: 69.07%, CO: 10.04%, CO2: 2.86%, N2: 12.78%, CH4: 5.12%. Can it be determined that there is a leakage in the pipeline at the tower inlet based on this analysis of the gas composition?
The company is also discussing maintenance plans
Judging from the non-condensable gas components in the steam, it should be an internal leakage in the synthesis process
The company confirmed that the leak was at the top of the tower and prepared a corresponding maintenance plan.
How can one determine where in the synthesis tower the leak is occurring?
If the tower is an axial tower, it can be determined from the gas composition whether there is a leak at the inlet or at the top of the tower. What about a radial tower?