What abnormal symptoms will occur in the distillation column if the floating valve gets stuck on the opening of the tray and cannot move up or down?
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During maintenance, it was found that a large number of floating valves on the tray had fallen off; these valves were then reinstalled manually. After the unit started operating, abnormal conditions were observed in the tower, and it was suspected that there was a problem with the installation of the floating valves. What abnormal symptoms would occur in the distillation tower if the floating valves got stuck in the openings of the tray and could not move up or down?
Is it a circular floating valve? The valve legs of circular floating valves can wear out and cause them to fall off. When the rate of detachment is low, it has little impact on operation; however, if a large number of valves fall off, it may lead to leakage and a decrease in separation efficiency ； If the floating valve stops moving, there are two possible scenarios: first, it is in the open position, in which case the impact is not significant; second, it is in the closed position, which can result in an excessive pressure drop.
Leakage at low load levels affects efficiency.
An open valve disc will cause liquid leakage and large fluctuations in the liquid level at the bottom of the tower, requiring a higher gas-phase load. A closed valve disc will increase the pressure difference across the tower; in severe cases, separation will no longer be possible, forcing the plant to be shut down for maintenance.
If the floating valve does not move, it becomes a bubble tray. At low loads, a decrease in pressure can lead to leakage, while at high loads, the high pressure drop can cause flooding of the tower. I once encountered a situation during the renovation of a distillation tower, where the floating valves on the tray would fall off as soon as they moved; it turned out that the workers had made the clips too small, so they couldn’t hold onto the tray. I’m not sure what situation you’re facing
If the floating valve does not move, it becomes a bubble tray. At low loads, the pressure drop is low and liquid leakage occurs; at high loads, the pressure drop is high and this can cause flooding of the tower. I once encountered a situation during the renovation of a distillation tower, where the floating valves on the tray would fall off as soon as they moved; it turned out that the workers had made the clips too small, so they couldn’t hold onto the tray. I’m not sure what situation you’re facing
One-sentence answer: It becomes a new type of solid valve, with unknown performance.