MaNaTMoS
Petroleum
- Mar 28, 2004
- 49
Since our naphtha stabilizer's condenser is lacking of condensing capacity at higher reflux rates (in order to ensure proper fractionation efficiency), what should be the best way to correct this unpleasant situation? Working on higher pressures allows us to achieve higher condenser duties, but we are limited to 6.5 barG, which is not enough for decent separation. Current working pressure is 5.5 barG.
We have 2 condensers in series; cooling water flow is in series also (outlet from the 2nd condenser goes to the inlet of 1st condenser??). The amount of C5 in LPG goes up to 40%, and amount of C4 in the bottoms is too high (4-10%), which creates problems in downstream naphtha splitter.
Replacing bare tubes with low fin tubes looks like good idea, along with parallel CW flow through condensers. Does anybody have similar experiences and problems in such services?