In FCC Units (Fluidised Catalyst Cracking Units), the atmospheric residue from the distillation is cracked to LPG, naptha and other components. This sometimes leads to “invisible” deposits inside the riser.

Topics: optimising plant processing, plant processing, Process Diagnostics, process diagnostics technologies, tracerco diagnostics, optimising plant production, fcc unit, fccu unit refinery, fcc, fcc diagnostics, fccu process, fccu studies, cracking unit, fcc riser, fcc troubleshooting, fcc units, fcc unit process, fluid catalytic cracking diagnostics, fluid catalytic cracking services, fluid catalytic cracking unit, Process Diagnostics Technology, Catalytic cracking, fcc cracking, fcc process

This post is the second part of the "Diagnosing liquid maldistribution inside packed beds" series.

In the previous blog, we explained how Tracerco’s Tru-Grid™ Scan technologies can be used to diagnose suspected maldistribution in packed beds. In Part 2, we will discuss how we obtain more details on distribution within the packed bed.

A challenge to process engineers is diagnosing liquid maldistribution problems inside packed beds that can cause severe mass transfer efficiency loss. In industrial distillation columns, common examples of the cause of liquid maldistribution are design, manufacture or installation defects of distributors as well as damage, plugging and process disturbance of packed beds.

In this latest blog we will explain how following a Tru-Grid™ Scan, Tracerco’s ThruVision™ technology was able to obtain a more detailed liquid distribution profile of the packed bed.

Topics: optimising plant processing, plant processing, scanning technology, Process Diagnostics, distillation column, Distillation Column Performance, packed column performance, distillation tower scanning, annular liquid distribution, Liquid maldistribution, packed column, Suspected maldistribution, distillation column maintenance, ThruVision scan, Tracerco technologies, Suspected maldistribution in packed beds, ThruVision

This post is the first of the "Diagnosing liquid maldistribution inside packed beds" series.

A challenge to process engineers is diagnosing liquid maldistribution problems inside packed beds that can cause severe mass transfer efficiency loss. In industrial distillation columns, common examples of the cause of liquid maldistribution are design, manufacture or installation defects of distributors as well as damage, plugging and process disturbance of packed beds.

In this latest blog, we will explain using a case study approach how Tracerco's scanning technologies can be used to diagnose suspected maldistribution in packed beds.

The first step to determine liquid maldistribution in a packed column is to perform a Tracerco Tru-Grid™ Scan to provide an initial look at the liquid distribution in the packing.  A Tru-Grid™ scan consists of four equal-distant chords, one through each quadrant of the tower. Under ideal conditions and uniform liquid loadings, each scan plot will overlay closely with all others.

Topics: optimising plant processing, process systems, plant processing, scanning technology, Process Diagnostics, Gamma Scanning, Distillation Column Performance, packed column performance, distillation tower scanning, annular liquid distribution, Liquid maldistribution, packed column, Tru-Grid Scan, distillation column maintenance, Tracerco technologies, optimising plant production, Suspected maldistribution in packed beds

Detecting and identifying small leaks in heat exchangers can be an extremely difficult and time consuming task for many operators and plant personnel. Product quality, process efficiency and the time and cost associated with maintenance and potential shutdowns caused by a leaking vessel can have a significant and detrimental impact on production and process operating margins.   

Topics: optimising plant processing, chemical tracers, Process Diagnostics, exchanger, Gamma Scanning, Tru-Scan, leak testing, plant performance, heat exchangers, leaking exchangers, small leaks

A problem plaguing butadiene purification unit operations is the potential for free radical polymerisation, commonly known as popcorn polymer. This popcorn polymer formation can disrupt the operation of the unit by plugging lines, sticking valves, and even physically damaging equipment. Under certain conditions the polymer growth can push apart flanges, rupture lines and even pop the head off exchangers.

Topics: optimising plant processing, popcorn polymer, process systems, providing insight onsite, neutron backscatter, process vessels, plant processing, scanning technology, heat exchanger, butadiene purification unit, Process Diagnostics, exchanger, solids buildup, fouling deposits, polymerisation, butadiene condenser

---

PROFILER^TM HAS BEEN SHORTLISTED IN THE ENGINEERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2015:

The Profiler^TM has been chosen as a finalist in the prestigious Control Engineering 2015 Engineers’ Choice Awards program in the Sensors category.

This award is decided by votes, so to help you decide that the Profiler^TM is unique and special enough to win this award we've listed out the top four reasons it deserves recognition together with an infographic on the savings it delivers to customers.

You can learn more about the benefits it brings in our previous blog post outlining how you can increase crude throughput in high temperature processing.

Voting closes on 31 December 2014 so if you agree the Tracerco  Profiler^TM is as brilliant as we think it is please cast your vote.

Topics: Tracerco innovations, Awards, Downstream, nucleonic instrumentation, optimising plant processing, High temperature plant processing, desalting, SAGD

The last year has seen the release of the long awaited new version of our award-winning Profiler^TM technology. This version was specifically designed for high temperature processing applications such as desalting and Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD).

Topics: Downstream, nucleonic instrumentation, optimising plant processing, High temperature plant processing, Heavy oil, refining, desalting, SAGD