(192f) Insoluble Polymer Fouling in CGC Systems
AIChE Spring Meeting and Global Congress on Process Safety
2019
2019 Spring Meeting and 15th Global Congress on Process Safety
The 31st Ethylene Producers
Tutorial on Fouling/Foaming in Ethylene Plants
Thursday, April 4, 2019 - 9:20am to 9:40am
Insoluble polymer control is critical for avoiding unplanned shutdown in compressor systems. This paper describes fundamentals of insoluble polymer formation and field experience with mitigating solutions, including: 1) Mechanism of insoluble polymer formation, 2) Challenges in distinguishing and quantifying insoluble polymer formation and deposition, 3) Difficulties in predicting rate of deposition and impact of deposits on run length targets, and 4) Field experience connecting fundamentals with outcomes for various treatment strategies.
Alternative treatment strategies are evaluated for effectiveness in controlling fouling due to insoluble polymer formation. Advanced strategies that are more proactive and reliable for control of insoluble polymer formation are presented.
A case history on a liquid cracker and a case history on a gas cracker illustrates similarities and differences in fundamentals and treatment strategies for different feedstocks.