Better efficiency for the olefin plant demethanizer tower by replacing trays with packing

The demethanizer tower of Kavian olefin plant had a probleminmore than 77% of the nominal capacity. Its performance was reduced by flooding with considering the inside pressure drop and fluctuation of the bottom liquid level increase. For this reason, a study was performed and the simulation results (with PRO II and SULCOL) were successfully implemented. Finally, troubleshooting and practical solutions were compared with simulation results. In order to tower modifications, an instruction had been issued so that all 40 trays had to be completely discharged and then the tower was refilled with 16 ton packing. According to this solution, the volume of ethylene as final product was increases about 23% and reaches the designed nominal capacity.

Automated summary

The demethanizer tower in Kavian olefin plant had performance issues, which were successfully addressed through simulation and practical solutions to increase ethylene production to the designed capacity.