(130d) High Performance Trays and Tubes for Reduced Utility and Energy Consumption

In today’s environment of rising energy costs, reduced carbon footprints, low product margins, and high feedstock prices, modern-day petrochemical producers are maximizing production from equipment assets while minimizing operating costs.  The use of high performance fractionation trays and heat exchanger tubes in existing equipment are an economical means of reducing utility consumption and improving operating profitability.  This is particularly true in energy-intensive fractionations having low relative volatility between the components such as C2 and C3 splitters, demethanizers, deethanizers, and depropanizers.  Energy savings can be realized by:

• Lower column operating pressures to achieve desired separation
• Reduced condenser and reboiler duties
• Close heat exchanger temperature approaches and mean temperature differences (MTD’s)
• Reduced condensing pressure and temperature in ethylene and propylene refrigerant condensers
• Compressor horsepower savings in refrigeration systems
• Minimized cooling water consumption

The revamp of existing columns and exchangers to incorporate UOP MD™ trays, High Flux™ tubes, and High Cond™ tubes have been shown to have a 2-year payback.  This paper will present case studies which demonstrate the reliable operation and reduced operating costs that can be achieved with high performance trays and tubes.