For the crude oil stabilization process, with reflux, can steam stripping be used to increase production?
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The temperature at the outlet of the heater is 220°C; the feed to the stabilizer tower is at multiple levels of 200°C, while the temperature at the top of the tower is 140°C. The light components at the top of the tower are currently cooled using air and water. In the reflux tank, three-phase separation occurs, and the light hydrocarbons from this tank are either sent outside or used for reflux. The gas then goes to the shallow cooling unit, and the resulting dry gas is used for combustion in the heater. I am considering feeding some of this dry gas back into the tower. From what I’ve read, increasing gas lift can boost production and reduce the temperature at the heater’s outlet, thereby saving resources. However, in most studies the temperature at which material enters the tower is around 100 degrees, and the product obtained is only light hydrocarbons. In my setup, the product consists of both light and heavy hydrocarbons; therefore, reflux is necessary. Yet, various studies state that when stripping is used, reflux should not be employed. I would appreciate it if someone could explain this to me – is it useful to incorporate stripping in the setup I described? Can it increase production?
If dry gas is used for stripping in a continuous cycle, it may increase the content of C3 and C4 in the dry gas, resulting in more light components being carried into the furnace for combustion
What I’m thinking is that part of the dry gas goes to the tower while another part goes into the furnace. The dry gas that enters the tower and the light components at the top of the tower need to be cooled, and the wet gas as well needs to undergo shallow cooling. After this treatment, since it’s dry gas, there shouldn’t be too much C3 present, right? I just don’t understand why there can be no reflux in air lifting; with proper control of reflux, wouldn’t it be possible to separate light hydrocarbons from heavy ones as well?