Condensate Stabilization

LTX Unit as a Condensate Stabilizer

It should be clear from the description of LTX units that the lower pressure separator in an LTX unit is a simple form of cold-feed condensate stabilizer. In the cold, upper portion of the separator some of the intermediate hydrocarbon components condense. In the hot, lower portion some of the lighter components flash.
An LTX unit [...]

17Sep2009 | admin | Comments Off | Continued

Condensate Stabilizer as Gas Processing Plant

A gas-processing plant, is designed to recover ethane, propane, butane, and other natural gas liquids from the gas stream. A condensate stabilizer also recovers some portion of these liquids. The colder the temperature of the gas leaving the overhead condenser in a reflux stabilizer, or the colder the feed stream in a cold-feed stabilizer, and [...]

17Sep2009 | admin | Comments Off | Continued

Stripping Service

For stripping service, as in a glycol or amine contactor , bubble cap trays are the most common. In recent years, there has been a growing movement toward crimped sheet structured packing. Improved vapor and liquid distributor design in conjunction with structured packing can lead to smaller-diameter and shorter stripping towers than can be obtained [...]

17Sep2009 | admin | Comments Off | Continued

Distillation Service

For distillation services, as in condensate stabilization, tray design is well understood, and many engineers are more comfortable with trays than with packing. In the past, bubble cap trays were the standard. However, they are not commonly used in this service anymore. Sieve trays are inexpensive but offer a very narrow operating range when compared [...]

17Sep2009 | admin | Comments Off | Continued

Structured Packing

A bed of structured packing consists of a bed support upon which elements of structured packing are placed. Beds of structured packing typically have lower pressure drops than beds of random packing of comparable mass transfer efficiency. Structured packing elements are composed of grids (metal or plastic) or woven mesh (metal or plastic) or of [...]

17Sep2009 | admin | Comments Off | Continued

Random Packing

A bed of random packing typically consists of a bed support (typically a gas injection support plate) upon which pieces of packing material are randomly arranged (they are usually poured or dumped onto this support plate). Bed limiters, or hold-downs, are sometimes set above random beds to prevent the pieces of packing from migrating or [...]

17Sep2009 | admin | Comments Off | Continued

Tray Efficiency and Tower Height

In condensate stabilizers, trays generally have 70% equilibrium stage efficiency. That is, 1.4 actual trays are required to provide one theoretical stage. The spacing between trays is a function of the spray height and the downcomer backup (the height of clear liquid established in the downcorner). The tray spacing will typically range from 20 to [...]

17Sep2009 | admin | Comments Off | Continued