(33b) Refrigeration Compressors in Ethylene Plants
AIChE Spring Meeting and Global Congress on Process Safety
2018
2018 Spring Meeting and 14th Global Congress on Process Safety
The 30th Ethylene Producers' Conference
Ethylene Plant Rotating Equipment Panel Discussion
Monday, April 23, 2018 - 2:30pm to 2:55pm
The separation side or cold end of an ethylene plant typically utilizes two levels of refrigeration. A -40F (-40C) level utilizing a propane or propylene refrigeration compressor (PRC) and a -150F (-101C) level using an ethylene refrigerant compressor (ERC). Some process designs utilize a binary refrigerant (BRC) as well for this coldest level. We will discuss what makes refrigeration compressors different from process gas compressors such as Cracked Gas Compressors (CGC)
Topics of discussion include:
Refrigeration Cycle basic overview
Sideloads and Extractions: impact on machinery design and performance
Materials of constructions
Process and surge control