(45h) Design Considerations for Effective Liquid Removal in Suction Drums

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR EFFECTIVE LIQUID REMOVAL IN SUCTION DRUMS

Protecting high value compressors and extending their uninterrupted run time is essential to maximizing ethylene plant production and profitability.  Compressor Suction Drums are the last line of defense when it comes to preventing damaging liquid from reaching the compressor impellors.  We will explore all aspects of mist eliminator designs with respect to compressor suction drums; mechanical, chemical and physical. 

After identifying the most common problems with liquid carryover, we will discuss the proper selection of the right mist elimination equipment for this specific application.  Sometimes the right equipment must be arranged in creative ways to optimize space limitations in existing columns.  We will present the best practices for vapor steam entrances and exits and their impact on minimizing the creation of liquid droplets.  When entrance and exit effects have not been considered, correcting flow mal-distribution is also obtained using specialized vessel internals.  This discussion will include addressing the wide range of possible droplet sizes. 

With time it is quite common for the process capacity requirements to increase.  This paper will provide the options available to industry to achieve the higher flow rates required while still maintaining critical removal efficiency.  It will also provide insight in handling specialty applications such fouling services and high viscosity liquids.  Everything anyone would want to know will be presented in order to secure the object and the objective.