Fouling/Viscosity Control Mitigation Strategy Overcomes Problems In Quench Oil System

Paper and Presentation Abstract for:

AIChE 2011 Spring National Meeting

March 13-17

Hyatt Regency Chicago

Chicago, IL

Title:               Fouling/Viscosity Control Mitigation Strategy Overcomes Problems in Quench Oil System

Presenting

Company:       Baker Hughes Incorporated

Authors:          Zhenning Gu, Senior Chemist

                        Roger Metzler, Technical Services Manager

                       

Abstract:

Fouling and viscosity problems are not uncommon issues in olefins plant quench oil systems, with negative impacts on reliability, energy efficiency, and safety.  Mitigation of these problems can provide operational value benefits of improved energy efficiency, operational flexibility, maintained throughput, potential increases in pyrolysis gasoline and gasoil yields, and improved safety through reduced equipment openings and cleanings.  Chemical additives can be used as a mitigation strategy.  However, laboratory evaluation and testing of the quench oil can be difficult due to the highly stressed state of available process samples. 

This paper will discuss the various interrelationships of the foulant precursors and viscosity increase mechanisms throughout the system. It will also review the laboratory evaluation techniques used to understand the primary causes of these problems, so that effective additive treatment programs can be developed.  Actual plant performance data will be shown that demonstrate how a fouling/viscosity control mitigation strategy can overcome these problems and provide the resulting aforementioned operational value benefits.