(3a) Cooling Water Injection and Monitoring System to Efficiently Prevent Fouling in Centrifugal Compressors

The impact of fouling on ethylene plant equipment is potentially huge. In particular the high possibility of gas polymerization occurring into cracked gas compressor can lead to efficiency loss and unplanned outages with associated lack of production. Adding cooling water to process gas compressor can help producers reduce fouling through lowering temperature.

Cooling water effectiveness depends strongly on water atomization and gas stream interaction. A series of numerical simulations has been performed to validate the approach through comparison with available experimental data and a test case.

The outcome consists in the selection of the appropriate models for heat transfer, particle coupling and injection definition, aiming at an enhanced cooling system analysis, design and monitoring.

An advanced stage-by-stage water injection system coupled with a monitor efficiency control will minimize risks of production loss while constantly update operators about equipment performance.