(119e) Fouling/Viscosity Control Mitigation Strategy Overcomes Problems In Quench Oil System

Paper and Presentation Abstract for:

AIChE 2011 Spring National Meeting

March 13-17

Hyatt Regency
Chicago
Chicago, IL

Title:
              Fouling/Viscosity
Control Mitigation Strategy Overcomes Problems in Quench Oil System

Presenting

Company:       Baker Hughes Incorporated

Authors:          Zhenning Gu, Senior
Chemist

                        Roger Metzler, Technical
Services Manager

Abstract:

Fouling
and viscosity problems are not uncommon issues in olefins plant quench oil
systems, with negative impacts on reliability, energy efficiency, and safety.  Mitigation of these problems can provide
operational value benefits of improved energy efficiency, operational
flexibility, maintained throughput, potential increases in pyrolysis gasoline
and gasoil yields, and improved safety through reduced equipment openings and
cleanings.  Chemical additives can be
used as a mitigation strategy.  However,
laboratory evaluation and testing of the quench oil can be difficult due to the
highly stressed state of available process samples. 

This
paper will discuss the various interrelationships of the foulant precursors and
viscosity increase mechanisms throughout the system. It will also review the laboratory
evaluation techniques used to understand the primary causes of these problems,
so that effective additive treatment programs can be developed.  Actual plant performance data will be shown
that demonstrate how a fouling/viscosity control mitigation strategy can
overcome these problems and provide the resulting aforementioned operational
value benefits.