Problems with the dilution steam generator tower in ethylene plants
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Dear sea friends, I have a question for the more experienced among you； In the dilution steam generator tower of the ethylene plant, the liquid level keeps fluctuating in an unpredictable manner, moving up and down in a wave-like pattern. However, as long as the amount of waste liquid discharged from the tower is increased, or the heating capacity of the tower is raised, or the amount of DS sent to one of the cracking furnaces at the top of the tower is increased, the liquid level stabilizes again; the fluctuations become less severe. It seems that altering any of these variables disrupts the pattern of fluctuations in the liquid level, and the situation returns to normal. The control valve for the inlet water is in good condition; it has been checked. The control valve for wastewater discharge is also functioning properly. The heating control valve is also functioning properly.
It is recommended to take this issue seriously. Here, a false liquid level caused the pyrolysis furnace DS to operate beyond its capacity, which in turn triggered the high liquid level interlock in the compressor section of the pyrolysis gas system. 1. Check the discharge lines; even the gauge tips should be inspected to ensure there is no coking or other deposits. 2. Examine heat exchangers such as steam generators for any risk of internal leakage. 3. Verify that the liquid level gauges are accurate and reliable
Thank you for your guidance. I would like to ask about the specific details of the incident involving your device – was it an overload of the DS caused by a false liquid level? Then the high liquid level interlock for the suction tank? I’m not quite sure. Could you please describe it again?
At that time, it was a blockage in the level gauge for the keratinous substances that caused the DS unit to contain liquid, leading to an overload of the oil tower. This in turn resulted in a high temperature at the top of the water tower. The high oil level in the suction tank of the second stage of the pyrolysis gas compressor triggered an interlock mechanism. There are many details, but the main point is: one must not take this lightly. Moreover, such fluctuations are not beneficial for the steam generator either; if the heat exchanger leaks, it will cause even more problems.