Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 41

Maintenance and Reliability
The need for adequate drainage and
separation can be seen by examining
FIG. 5. Disentrained condensate flows
along the bottom of the steam system
piping and some water remains
entrained
in the steam flow for wet steam
systems. A first stage of removal can be
accomplished by installing a properly
designed collecting leg for condensate
capture (FIG. 6).
Capturing and discharging condensate.
Consider that steam's design
pipe velocity is commonly at or above
90 mph.4
A key requirement is to remove
the condensate flowing along the
bottom of the pipeline that has already
been disentrained from the vapor. If not
removed, it can form dangerous slugs-
many case histories of significant plant
shutdowns due to the resulting damage
caused are documented (FIG. 7). The
velocity of steam under constant load requirement
conditions elevates dramatically
as the available non-liquid-filled
portion of the pipe decreases, escalating
the propulsion given to the slug to create
turbine destruction (FIG. 8).
Slug buildup can be mitigated by the
installation and sustained maintenance
of well-designed condensate collecting
legs and steam trap stations, also known
as CDLs (FIGS. 9 and 10).4
Turbine reliability
begins with well-maintained utility
lines.
Another key improvement is to install
an engineered separator and drain after
an appropriate CDL and before entry
into the turbine to disentrain a substantial
amount of wetness that may be carried
in the steam flow. This not only helps
prevent erosion of the turbine blades, but
also mitigates precipitate buildup. Examples
are shown later in this article.
It is common to see a fog zone around
turbines in many plants, the result of
open steam bleeders with the intention
to mitigate damage from condensate
slugs (FIG. 11). Regardless, this practice
often does not preclude incidents and
proper CDL design and sustained maintenance
are recommended.
Superheat. A misconception persists
regarding superheat systems: that because
the steam is superheated, adequate
FIG. 11. Fog zones can create visual hazards
and still be ineffective to mitigate turbine
damage.
FIG. 9. A properly designed collecting leg
requires adequate diameter, depth and
distance before the trap take-off.
FIG. 7. As a slug's mass builds and closes
off the pipe's cross-section, its velocity can
rapidly accelerate.
FIG. 12. This 24-in., 220-psig superheated
steam line had a 400-ft section moved
7 ft by slug hammer.
FIG. 8. The potential damaged caused by
slug-induced water hammer should not be
underestimated.
FIG. 10. CDL refers to the entire pipe assembly used to drain condensate, including the
steam trap, piping and all valves.
Hydrocarbon Processing | NOVEMBER 2022 41

Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022

Industry Perspectives
Editorial Comment
Construction
Innovations
Digital Technologies
Optimization of ethylene in the processing of hydrocarbons
Shift focus to more open control technology
Integrated remote operations drive collaboration and autonomy
Reliability analysis of analyzers bridges the gap between assessing and addressing risk
Implement advanced level control techniques to improve crude distillation unit stabilizer performance
Leading capital projects in a VUCA environment
Trip your turbine troubles: Optimize the reliability of steam-driven turbines
Development of novel epoxy closed-cell foam for personnel and corrosion protection—Part 2
Obsolescence management in a manufacturing unit
Decarbonizing your fired heaters with hydrogen fuel
Mechanical design challenges in high-temperature electric heaters
Why sulfur plants fail: An in-depth study of sulfur recovery unit failures—Part 2
Advertiser Index
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 1
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 2
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 3
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Industry Perspectives
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 5
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 6
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Editorial Comment
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 8
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 9
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Construction
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 11
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Innovations
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 11B
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 12
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Digital Technologies
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 14
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 15
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 16
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Optimization of ethylene in the processing of hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 18
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 19
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 20
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Shift focus to more open control technology
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 22
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 23
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 24
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Integrated remote operations drive collaboration and autonomy
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 26
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 27
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 28
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 29
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 30
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Reliability analysis of analyzers bridges the gap between assessing and addressing risk
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 32
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 33
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Implement advanced level control techniques to improve crude distillation unit stabilizer performance
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 35
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 36
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Leading capital projects in a VUCA environment
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 38
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Trip your turbine troubles: Optimize the reliability of steam-driven turbines
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 40
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 41
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 42
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 43
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 44
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 45
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 46
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Development of novel epoxy closed-cell foam for personnel and corrosion protection—Part 2
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 48
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 49
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 50
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Obsolescence management in a manufacturing unit
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 50B
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Decarbonizing your fired heaters with hydrogen fuel
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 52
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 53
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 54
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Mechanical design challenges in high-temperature electric heaters
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 56
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 57
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 58
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 59
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 60
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Why sulfur plants fail: An in-depth study of sulfur recovery unit failures—Part 2
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 62
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 63
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 64
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 65
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - Advertiser Index
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 67
Hydrocarbon Processing - November 2022 - 68
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/catalyst_handbook_2020_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/catalyst_handbook_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hpimarket_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/refining_processes_handbook_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/refining_processes_handbook_2020_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hpimarket_2020_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hpimarket_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/petrochemical_2018_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/petrochemical_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hpimarket_2019_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hpimarket_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_2017mediaplanner
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201608
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gulfpub/hp_201606
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