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Questions and Answers
What primary function does the Feed/Compression Section serve?
It preheats and compresses the ethylene feed gas for further processing.
What happens to ethylene when it crosses the pressure valve at battery limits?
It experiences a pressure drop, causing auto refrigeration and potential condensation into liquid.
Why is it important to preheat ethylene before it enters the C-120A/B (Charge Gas Compressors)?
Preheating reduces the risk of sending liquid ethylene into the compressors, which could cause severe damage.
What role does the D-110 (Charge Gas Compressor Suction Drum) play in the Feed/Compression Section?
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What measures can Chevron Pipeline personnel take during ethylene quality problems?
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Study Notes
Purpose of the Feed/Compression Section
- Ethylene feed gas is preheated before entering further processing steps to ensure optimal operational conditions.
- The section compresses ethylene feed gas, crucial for maintaining system pressure and flow rates.
- Heated pipeline ethylene combines with recycle ethylene, contributing to effective vapor separation from heavier liquid components (C4+).
Ethylene Sourcing and Management
- Normal Alpha Olefins Unit 1797 (NAOU-1797) primarily receives ethylene from Chevron Pipeline System via Houston Pipeline Leg.
- Ethylene quality issues can lead to direct switching from EU-1592 to maintain production reliability during pipeline upsets.
Pressure and Temperature Considerations
- A pressure valve causes a pressure drop as ethylene crosses battery limits, inducing auto refrigeration, which cools and condenses ethylene.
- Ethylene condenses into liquid at temperatures below 65°F, necessitating preheating to prevent liquid formation and protect equipment.
Preheating Process
- Ethylene is routed to E-100 (Ethylene Preheater) where it is heated by 100 psig steam on the shell side, reversing any in-line auto refrigeration effects.
- This preheating step is critical to avoid sending liquid ethylene into Charge Gas Compressors (C-120A/B), which could cause severe equipment damage.
Risk Management
- Liquid phases in the process could severely damage valves and cylinders, risking loss of containment and system integrity.
- Preheated ethylene is mixed with recycle gas from D-330 (H.P. Recycle K.O. Drum) and spillback from the Charge Gas Compressors and Booster/Recycle Compressors.
Separation and Routing
- The preheated mixture is directed to D-110 (Charge Gas Compressor Suction Drum) for further processing.
- Heavier components (C4+) are separated and routed from the bottom of D-110 to T-340 (Caustic Wash Vapor Scrubber) for additional purification.
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Description
Explore the critical processes involved in the Feed and Compression Section for ethylene production. This quiz examines the preheating, compression, and separation of ethylene from heavier components within the Normal Alpha Olefins Unit. Understand the pipeline systems used for the transfer of ethylene gas.
