Chemical Engineering May 2020 - 59

Gulf Coast 2020 Special Advertising Section
Optimizing crude oil distillation equipment: Sulzer's
separation technology supports even the most
ambitious refining process intensification projects
To remain competitive, businesses in the oil and gas sector should invest in technologies
that can help them improve processing performance while reducing production costs.
Choosing a reliable partner for cutting-edge mass transfer components, such as Sulzer
Chemtech, can help to significantly boost refining operations.
ulzer supports oil and gas companies in the downstream sector
by designing, manufacturing and installing high-performing,
state-of-the-art separation systems. The company's comprehensive
range of technologies increases equipment's service life, column
capacity and separation quality by tackling the biggest operational
issues in refineries. These include foam formation, fouling caused
by salt deposition or sand/catalyst particles, corrosion and coke
formation.
One of the most common issues in preflash columns is foaming.
Refineries can rely on Sulzer's innovative solutions, such as an Inlet
Cyclone or GIRZ, to mechanically control and break foam as it forms
without the use of chemicals. These cyclones are positioned on the
column inlet and utilize centrifugal force as well as the momentum
of the feed stream to separate its phases. As a result, the gaseous
phase is released from the top, while liquids accumulate at the bottom
of the device. This in turn reduces production costs and mainS
tenance
activities while improving product purity.
The Inlet Cyclone also plays a role in preventing fouling and corrosion
of the column. When combined with Sulzer's specialized column
trays and valves, refineries can further minimize these issues
as well as reduce coke settling. For example, special anti-fouling
valve trays, such as the VG AF, have excellent fouling resistance, increasing
the overall system reliability, while improving the column
performance.
As a full-service provider, Sulzer offers a wide range of dedicated
engineering services that can help refineries and petrochemical
complexes to optimize their processing activities and increase plant
productivity.
www.sulzer.com/en/applications/oil-gas-chemicals/
downstream/refining
Measuring PVC Level In Silos
Measurement Objectives:
ü Reliable production supply thanks to continuous inventory level
monitoring
ü Reliable long range measurement even with extremely low tank
levels in narrow silos
ü No need for instrument flushing systems despite presence of
products that are extremely sticky and dusty
Background:
A company that manufactures and processes PVC stores a variety
of product shapes in several slim silos reaching heights of more
than 65 feet (20 m). They supply the product for their own production
as well as to third-party producers. In addition to PVC powder
and PVC granulate some regenerated PVC that is extracted from old
shredded products is also stored.
The level in the silos must be continuously measured to ensure a
reliable production supply. The atmosphere in the silos is extremely
dusty and the PVC dust is very sticky. The customer was interested
in a type of non-contact radar measurement that did not require any
kind of antenna cleaning since there is no compressed air supply.
A KROHNE OPTIWAVE 6500C 80 GHz FMCW radar level measurement
instrument with a 3 inch (80mm) lens antenna specifically designed
for solid applications is ideal for use in these applications.
FMCW stands for " Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave " and
is one of two popular radar level measurement techniques. When
compared to the pulse method, FMCW features a much wider dynamic
range and better signal strength. Those advantages clearly
benefit these types of challenging solids and powder applications
as well as many difficult process liquid level and reactor vessel
applications.
The unique lens antenna is especially beneficial in powder applications
since it is self cleaning, and it focuses the available signal
much more than a horn can which also improves performance in
tall, narrow vessels.
This solution allows the company to monitor the level in the
silos at any time. It also eliminates any chance of running on empty
which would put the production processes at risk.
KROHNE has several process level solutions for all types of solids
or liquid applications including FMCW radar, ultrasonic and mechanical
technologies. If you have a challenge with level, please
contact us to evaluate it and suggest some possible solution.
us.krohne.com
ChemiCal engineering www.Chemengonline.Com may 2020
59
http://www.sulzer.com/en/applications/oil-gas-chemicals/ http://us.krohne.com http://www.Chemengonline.Com
Chemical Engineering May 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chemical Engineering May 2020
