(26c) What Went Wrong in the Design of the Total Draw off Tray and the Thermosiphon Loop on a Crude Oil Stabilizer Column?

This paper studies the design of the total draw off tray by the column Tray Vendor and the design of the thermosiphon loop including reboilers, by an Engineering Design Contractor. Though the Tray Vendor and the Engineering Design Contractor were both right in their designs, the system design was in error and would have resulted in unstable thermosiphon loop operation. This paper and presentation will discuss the individual designs and the recommendation made by the client to correct this serious error during the design review. The change was accepted by all parties and was constructed as recommended.