Fractionation Processes in Chemical Engineering

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of the Fractionation Section?

To refine olefin fractions into various components and products.

How does TK-800 assist during feed upsets?

It provides two days of storage capacity to maintain feed rate.

What happens to the entrained water in the C6+ feed?

It drops into the containment boot and is routed to D-353 for degassing.

What is the purpose of the C6-C10 Tower Feed Preheater, E-401?

To heat the C6+ feed using 100 psig steam. Signup and view all the answers

What are the outputs from T-400 (C6-C10 Tower)?

Overhead vapor stream (C6-C10) and bottom liquid stream (C12-C30+). Signup and view all the answers

Where does the overhead vapor from T-400 go?

It is routed to the shell side of E-400 for cooling. Signup and view all the answers

What is done with the liquid from the bottom of the C6-C10 Tower Reflux Drum?

It is returned as reflux or routed to T-410 as feed. Signup and view all the answers

What heating fluid is used in E-405 (C6-C10 Tower Reboiler)?

Dowtherm is used for heating on the tube side. Signup and view all the answers

How is the condensate from E-413 managed?

It is routed to D-416 and then to the Steam Condensate Header. Signup and view all the answers

What role do P-405A/B pumps serve in the process?

They route the liquid bottom to T-430 as feed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of T-410 (C6 Tower) in the separation process?

T-410 (C6 Tower) separates the heated C6-C10 feed into an overhead vapor stream (C6) and a bottom liquid stream (C8-C10). Signup and view all the answers

What role does E-410 (C6 Tower Condenser) play in the process?

E-410 cools the overhead vapor stream from T-410, allowing it to condense before being routed to D-410 (C6 Tower Reflux Drum). Signup and view all the answers

How does D-410 (C6 Tower Reflux Drum) manage water separation?

Entrained water separates from the hydrocarbon in D-410, collecting in a containment boot and routing to D-433 (Process Water Surge Drum). Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the hexene driers (D-412A/B) in the process?

The hexene driers remove moisture from the hexene product, achieving a dryness level of 5 ppm water. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the heating process of T-410's bottom liquid stream.

The bottom liquid stream is heated by 100 psig steam in E-415 (C6 Tower Reboiler). Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the catalyst bed in R-411A/B (Hexene Reactors)?

The catalyst bed facilitates the chemical reaction converting ethyl-vinylidene to 3-methyl-pentene compounds. Signup and view all the answers

How is the hexene reactor effluent processed after exiting R-411A/B?

The effluent is cooled in E-407 and then routed to T-411 (Hexene Purification Column) for separation. Signup and view all the answers

What streams are generated from T-411 (Hexene Purification Column)?

T-411 generates an overhead vapor stream, a side-draw stream, and a bottom liquid stream. Signup and view all the answers

What are the end destinations for the high-purity 1-hexene product?

The high-purity 1-hexene product is routed to Unit 1791 TK-31/36/37 for storage. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of P-413A/B (Hexene Purification Column Bottoms Pumps)?

P-413A/B transfer the bottoms liquid from T-411 to Unit 1191. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fractionation Section Overview

The Fractionation Section refines olefin fractions into various components and products.
Maintains operation during feed upsets using TK-800 (C6+ Storage Tank) with a two-day storage capacity.

C6-C10 Tower Operations

C6+ feed is processed in D-401 (C6-C10 Tower Feed Coalescer) to remove water.
Heated using E-401 (C6-C10 Tower Feed Preheater) with 100 psig steam, not needed if fed directly from T-380 (Debutenizer).
Partially vaporized in E-403 (C6-C10 Tower Feed Vaporizer) by 400 psig steam before entering T-400 (C6-C10 Tower).
T-400 separates feed into overhead vapor stream (C6-C10) and bottom liquid stream (C12-C30+).
Overhead vapor is cooled in E-400 (C6-C10 Tower Condenser) and collected in D-400 (C6-C10 Tower Reflux Drum).

Liquid Routing and Recycling

P-400A/B pumps recover liquid from D-400 for reflux back to T-400 or as feed to T-410 (C6 Tower).
Bottom liquid from T-400 routed to E-405 (C6-C10 Tower Reboiler) for heating before returning to T-400.

C6 Tower Specifics

Heated C6-C10 feed enters T-410 (C6 Tower), separated into overhead vapor stream (C6) and bottom liquid stream (C8-C10).
C6 overhead stream is cooled in E-410 and collected in D-410 (C6 Tower Reflux Drum).
Entrained water and non-condensables are managed through corresponding surge and vent drums.

Hexene Production Process

Dried hexene from D-413 is routed to Hexene Reactors R-411A/B, heated in E-406 (Hexene Reactor Preheater) with 60 psig steam.
Chemical reaction in reactors converts ethyl-vinylidene to 3-methyl-pentene, raising boiling points.

Hexene Purification Column

Hexene reactor effluent enters E-407 (Hexene Purification Column Feed Cooler) before moving to T-411.
T-411 separates the effluent into three streams: overhead vapor (99% 1-hexene), side-draw (high-purity 1-hexene), and bottom liquid (C6 purge).
Overhead vapor is condensed in E-408, with condensed phases routed to D-411.

Final Streams and Storage

Side-draw stream from T-411 is cooled in E-409 and then stored in Unit 1791 TK-31/36/37.
Bottom liquid from T-411 is heated in E-414 (Hexene Purification Column Reboiler) for temperature control before routing to Unit 1191.

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Description

This quiz explores the purpose and processes involved in the fractionation section of olefin production. It covers the condensation and separation of various components, including the role of storage tanks and coalescers during operational challenges. Test your knowledge on the intricacies of chemical engineering in fractional separation.