Since 1970 we operate a VCM plant with a nameplate capacity of 550.000 MT/year.
The reliefvalve headers are connected with a 100 m high flare built by John Zinc.
The flare is steam assisted (steampressure = 12.5 barg).
Up to 5 years ago the ventgases of the plant was continuous burned in the flare. At the moment, we burn the ventgases in an incinerator and the flare is only used as a backup for the incinerator and for emergency reasons.
During the past 33 years and up to now, we keep the steamline warm by continuous limited steaminjection (bypass over the steamvalve with a restriction orifice).
Nobody in the company knows why we are doing this, but one of the possible reasons could be to prevent steam condensation or possible flow back of hydrocarbons in the steamline.
Is it good common practice to keep the steamline warm all the time with continuous steaminjection? What will happen if we stop the injection. The burned gases contain HCl and are higly corrosive.
The reliefvalve headers are connected with a 100 m high flare built by John Zinc.
The flare is steam assisted (steampressure = 12.5 barg).
Up to 5 years ago the ventgases of the plant was continuous burned in the flare. At the moment, we burn the ventgases in an incinerator and the flare is only used as a backup for the incinerator and for emergency reasons.
During the past 33 years and up to now, we keep the steamline warm by continuous limited steaminjection (bypass over the steamvalve with a restriction orifice).
Nobody in the company knows why we are doing this, but one of the possible reasons could be to prevent steam condensation or possible flow back of hydrocarbons in the steamline.
Is it good common practice to keep the steamline warm all the time with continuous steaminjection? What will happen if we stop the injection. The burned gases contain HCl and are higly corrosive.