C16 Feed Process in Distillation Towers

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of T-460 (C16 Tower)?

To separate the feed into overhead vapor and bottom liquid streams.

How is the vapor from T-460 (C16 Tower) cooled?

It is routed to the shell side of E-460 (C16 Tower Condenser) and cooled with boiler feed water.

What happens to the condensed vapor from D-460 (C16 Tower Reflux Drum)?

It is routed to the Process Water Surge Drum (D-433).

What role does the cooling water play in E-469 (C16 Tower Ejector Interstage Condenser)?

The cooling water cools the gas routed through it. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the purpose of the pumps P-460A/B.

They route the liquid bottom to both the reflux strainer and product cooler. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the off-spec C16 product routed?

To Unit 1791 Heavy Rerun or TK-800 (C6+ Storage Tank). Signup and view all the answers

What is done with the bottom liquid stream from T-460 (C16 Tower)?

It is routed to E-465 (C16 Tower Reboiler) for heating. Signup and view all the answers

How does the system maintain pressure control after D-460 (C16 Tower Reflux Drum)?

By joining cooled overhead gas with noncondensables from E-480 and routing them to Z-460. Signup and view all the answers

What type of steam is used for creating a vacuum in the ejectors?

100 psig steam. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the chimney tray in T-460 (C16 Tower)?

To deliver the liquid to the feed distributor tray for proper vapor/liquid contact. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of routing the liquid bottom from E-465 to T-470?

The purpose is to provide feed to the C18 Tower for processing. Signup and view all the answers

How does the C18 Tower achieve proper vapor/liquid contact?

It uses a chimney tray with down comers that distributes the liquid onto the bottom bed. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the overhead vapor from T-470 sent after cooling?

It is routed to the shell side of E-470, the C18 Tower Condenser. Signup and view all the answers

What is done with the condensed vapor from the C18 Tower?

It is routed to the D-470 Reflux Drum for further processing. Signup and view all the answers

What role does steam play in the C18 Tower's operation?

Steam is used to create a vacuum and facilitate gas routing through the ejectors. Signup and view all the answers

How is the C18 product cooled after being processed?

It is cooled by water on the tube side of E-472, the C18 Product Cooler. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to off-spec C18 product?

It is routed to TK-800 or Slop for disposal or further treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the D-433 Process Water Surge Drum?

It collects condensate from the system for reuse or disposal. Signup and view all the answers

How does the C18 Tower manage liquid bottoms after reboiling?

Liquid bottoms are pumped back to T-470 as reflux for further separation. Signup and view all the answers

What process is used to cool the liquid bottom routed to E-477?

It is cooled by cooling water on the tube side of the heat exchanger. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

C16 Tower Process Overview

C16 feed from T-450 is directed to F-463 for initial filtration before entering T-460 (C16 Tower).
Liquid is distributed onto a chimney tray to ensure efficient vapor/liquid contact within the tower.
Separation of feed results in overhead vapor (C16 product) and bottom liquid stream (C18-C24).

Overhead Vapor Handling

Overhead vapor from T-460 is sent to E-460 (C16 Tower Condenser) for cooling with boiler feed water.
Condensed vapor goes to D-460 (C16 Tower Reflux Drum), while non-condensables are handled by E-461 (Vent Condenser).
A slip stream from the condenser returns to D-460, while the condensate is sent to D-433 (Process Water Surge Drum).

Pressure Control and Vacuum System

Cooled overhead gas from D-460, including non-condensables from E-480, is routed to Z-460 (1st Stage Ejector).
100 psig steam maintains vacuum for gas routing to E-469 (Interstage Condenser), with condensate returned to D-433.

C16 Product Management

Liquid bottoms from D-460, using P-460A/B pumps, are refluxed back to T-460.
Bottoms are also sent to E-462 (C16 Product Cooler) for cooling before venturing to Unit 1791.
Off-spec C16 products are routed to Unit 1791 Heavy Rerun or TK-800 (C6+ Storage Tank).

C16 Tower Reboiler Operations

Liquid from T-460 bottoms is heated in E-465 (Reboiler) using Dowtherm.
Overhead vapor from the reboiler returns to T-460 for temperature regulation.

Transition to C18 Tower

C16 Tower liquid bottoms flow through P-465A/B pumps to T-470 (C18 Tower) feed.
Similar separation process occurs in T-470 with overhead (C18) and bottom streams (C20-C24).

C18 Overhead Processing

Overhead vapor from T-470 proceeds to E-470 (C18 Tower Condenser), cooled with boiler feed water.
Steam condensate is diverted to the 60 psig Steam Header, with condensed vapor routed to D-470.

C18 Gas Handling

Non-condensables are routed to E-471 (Vent Condenser) for cooling, with slips returning to D-470.
Cooled overhead gas is managed through a series of ejectors (Z-470 and Z-471) to maintain pressure.

C18 Product Handling

Liquid bottoms from D-470 return to T-470 as reflux and are sent to E-472 (C18 Product Cooler).
Final C18 product flows to TK-38, with off-spec routed to TK-800 or slop.

C18 Tower Reboiling and Product Cooling

Bottoms stream heated in E-475 (Reboiler) flows back to T-470.
The cooled liquid is processed in E-476 (Heat Recovery) before routing to E-477 (Product Cooler).

Final Product Processing

Cooled products are stored in TK-820 (C20-C24 Product Tank) or TK-822A (C30 HA Product Tank).
Off-spec C20-C24 products are similarly routed to TK-800 or slop for proper management.

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Description

This quiz covers the C16 feed process from T-450 to T-460, emphasizing the routing through the feed strainer and the separation of streams. It explores the role of chimney trays and feed distributor trays in achieving optimal vapor/liquid contact for efficient distillation. Test your knowledge of these critical processes in chemical engineering.