Saturate Reduction System: Alpha Olefin Production

Study Notes

The Saturate Reduction System is designed to reduce the paraffin content of the alpha olefin product.

Liquid from the bottom of D-310A/B is routed to the tube side of E-320 and heated with 60 psig steam on the shell side.
0.2% nickel catalyst is injected into the process stream prior to being routed to M-320.
The mixture is routed to D-320.
After residence time, NAO product is routed to the tube side of E-321 and cooled with cooling water on the shell side prior to being routed to T-340.
2% nickel catalyst is received in 55 gallon drums and loaded into D-321 that is equipped with M-321.
The nickel concentration is further reduced to 0.2% in D-321 using C14 as a diluent.
The 0.2% nickel catalyst is routed from D-321 into the process stream by P-321A/B.
D-322 is designed to provide adequate storage of 0.2% nickel catalyst to supply P-321A/B while D-321 is isolated for making a blend.
D-322 is refilled after each blend is made in D-321.
Both D-321 and D-322 operate under a 20 psig nitrogen blanket.

It is a hairpin heat exchanger, which is a pipe within a pipe in a U-shape design.
This design is often used where space is limited and the risk of thermal shock is high.
The inner pipe serves the same function as tubes would in a shell and tube exchanger.
The outer tube serves the same function as the shell in a shell and tube exchanger.
The design is for counter-current flow.
It heats the product stream consisting of NAO and residual catalyst on the tube side with 60 psig steam on the shell side.
Its purpose is to heat the NAO and residual catalyst prior to being routed to M-320.

A static mixer is a device for the continuous mixing of fluid materials, without moving components.
It can be used to mix liquid, gas streams, disperse gas into liquid, or blend immiscible liquids.
M-320 is a 28" long and 6" diameter schedule 80 pipe with four internal elements.
A spare mixer is available with an internal baffle design.
Its purpose is to mix 0.2% nickel catalyst into the process.

D-320 dimensions are 5’D x 24’L.
Its purpose is to provide residence time for the nickel-based catalytic reaction.
The product stream mixed with 0.2% nickel catalyst enters the side bottom of the vessel.
The converted product stream exits the top of the vessel.

E-321 is a double-pipe heat exchanger.
It cools the converted product stream on the tube side with cooling water on the shell side.
Its purpose is to cool the converted product stream prior to being routed to T-340.

D-321 dimensions are 5’D x 6’L.
Its purpose is to dilute the 2% nickel catalyst with C14 to a dilution of 0.2% and to provide storage and supply for the 0.2% nickel catalyst.
The 2% nickel catalyst from a 55-gallon drum enters the top of the drum through a fill line.
C14 enters the top of the drum.
Nitrogen enters the top of the drum.
0.2% nickel catalyst exits the bottom of the drum.

M-321 purpose is to blend the 2% nickel catalyst with C14 to a dilution of 0.2% inside of D-321.

P-321A/B are positive displacement pumps driven by.25 HP 1750 RPM vertically-mounted, induction electric motors.
Their purpose is to route the 0.2% nickel catalyst from D-321 or D-322 to M-320.

D-322 dimensions are 3’D x 4’L.
Its purpose is to provide supply for the 0.2% nickel catalyst when D-321 is isolated and making a blend and should be refilled after each blend.
0.2% nickel catalyst enters and exits from the bottom of the drum.
Nitrogen enters the top of the drum.