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HF Alky Turnaround Issues - Chem Cleaning

The document discusses chemical cleaning and turnaround procedures for an alky unit. It describes the types of chemical cleaning methods used, including mineral acid solutions and chelating solutions. The advantages are removing nearly all scale for easier inspection and maintenance. Disadvantages include potential metal loss and flange problems. Best practices include preparation, maintaining solution velocity, and flushing immediately after cleaning. Startup procedures include a thorough dryout and monitoring for common problems like acid carryover. Chemical cleaning involves contacting a contractor to use dilute HCl or chelating solutions, with temperature and circulation controls to avoid corrosion issues.

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Gabriel Eduardo Contreras Perozo
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119 views10 pages

HF Alky Turnaround Issues - Chem Cleaning

The document discusses chemical cleaning and turnaround procedures for an alky unit. It describes the types of chemical cleaning methods used, including mineral acid solutions and chelating solutions. The advantages are removing nearly all scale for easier inspection and maintenance. Disadvantages include potential metal loss and flange problems. Best practices include preparation, maintaining solution velocity, and flushing immediately after cleaning. Startup procedures include a thorough dryout and monitoring for common problems like acid carryover. Chemical cleaning involves contacting a contractor to use dilute HCl or chelating solutions, with temperature and circulation controls to avoid corrosion issues.

Uploaded by

Gabriel Eduardo Contreras Perozo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Alky Turnaround Issues

y Neutralization
y Chemical Cleaning
y Startup Procedure

UOP 4981E-19
Turnaround – Neutralization/Cleaning

y Neutralization Only
– Soda Ash, KOH, NaOH, Ammonia
y Chemical Cleaning
– Mineral Acid
• HCl
• Low pH dissolves scale
– Chelants or Proprietary Chemicals
• Citric Acid
• EnvTech
• Loosens scale and helps keep it suspended in solution
Chemical Cleaning

y Advantages
– Removes Nearly All Scale
• Inspection & Maintenance is easier/safer
– Removes Heavy Scale from Unit Upsets
• High water during run
• Can be done individually on heavily fouled equipment
y Disadvantages
– Can Cause Metal Loss
– Flange Problems / Leakage
– Disposal of Spent Chemicals can be a Problem
y Some Units Have Never Chemically Cleaned
Chemical Cleaning Best Practices
y General
– Preparation is the Key to Success
– Maintain good velocity of the cleaning solution
– Flush with water immediately
• Prevents accumulation of solids
y Mineral Acid (HCl)
– Avoid excessive corrosion
• Temperature, acid strength, inhibitor
– Proper disposal of spent solution
y Chelants and Proprietary Chemicals (EnvTech)
– Prevent settling of un-dissolved scale
– Pull exchanger bundles immediately after flushing
• Keep bundle wet until ready to pull
Startup Procedures

y Dryout
– Don’t short-cut the dryout!
• All streams below 50 ppm water
• Usually takes 4-6 days
• Flush well through ALL lines
• Blow down all dead ends, instruments
• Hot N2 is used in some units
• Requires several trucks – approx 4X unit volume
Startup Procedures

y Watch for Common Problems


– Acid carryover from settler
• Unstable main fractionator pressure
• High acid flow from OH receiver boot(s)
– Acid purity runaway
• Know signs of runaway
– Rapid decline in acid level
– Rapid Decline in iC4 level (UOP) or settler
Hcbn level (Phillips)
– Severe reduction of alkylate make (at same
olefin feed rate)
– Possible exotherm in alumina treaters (high
organic F)
– Low iC4 recycle purity
• nC4 draw must start when olefin feed is started
• Can lead to acid purity runaway
Chemical Cleaning
„ Two Types of Chemical Cleaning Systems
– Mineral Acid Solution (Acidizing)
– Chelating Solution (Proprietary Formulation)
„ Advantages
– Removes Nearly All Scale
• Inspection & Maintenance is Easier/Safer
– Removes Heavy Scale from Unit Upsets
• Locally for Fouled Equipment
• High Water During Run
„ Disadvantages
– Can Cause Metal Loss
– Flange Problems / Leakage
„ Some Units Have Never Chemically Cleaned
Chemical Cleaning

„ Contact chemical cleaning contractor


„ Normally use dilute HCl with inhibitors and
penetrating agents for acidizing
„ Metal tabs for corrosion control
„ Temperature 140°F (60°F)
„ Circulation similar to Neutralization
„ Avoid using plant preheater
„ Chemical clean by sections
Chemical Cleaning

„ Neutralize by sections with mild aqueous ammonia


or soda ash solution (chelating solutions may not
need neutralizing step)
„ Drain neutralizing solution
„ Steam out
„ Equipment normally very clean
„ Fluoride scale is removed
„ Exchanger pulling is easier
Potential Chemical Cleaning Problems

„ Release of hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide


„ Check unit metals / acidizing solution compatible
„ Avoid excessive temperatures
Temp Corrosion Rate
°F (°C) mils per hour
150 66 0.26
200 93 3.00
„ Monitor ferric ion presence in acidizing solution
„ Monitor acidizing solution strength
„ Arrange disposal of spent solutions

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