Scribd
Upload
11 views

Script

The document summarizes the design and control strategy of a DEA column used in a MEA production plant. The DEA column was designed with 9 stages, a reflux ratio of 0.112, a height of 2.67m, and diameter of 0.381m using Aspen Plus simulations. Random packing was chosen for the column. Five control loops were implemented to control column pressure, reflux drum level, feed to reflux ratio, column base level, and bottoms composition. A safety instrumented function was added to mitigate overpressure hazards, achieving a safety integrity level of 3.

Uploaded by

big lasagna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
11 views

Script

The document summarizes the design and control strategy of a DEA column used in a MEA production plant. The DEA column was designed with 9 stages, a reflux ratio of 0.112, a height of 2.67m, and diameter of 0.381m using Aspen Plus simulations. Random packing was chosen for the column. Five control loops were implemented to control column pressure, reflux drum level, feed to reflux ratio, column base level, and bottoms composition. A safety instrumented function was added to mitigate overpressure hazards, achieving a safety integrity level of 3.

Uploaded by

big lasagna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Slide 1

The process unit in focus today is the DEA column (C-402) for the MEA production plant.

Slide 2
Staring with the summary of the design of the process unit

Slide 3
The DEA column is the final process unit of the entire system situated in the Ethanolamine Purification Section.

Slide 4
The DEA column is responsible for separating a feed mixture of DEA and TEA and into 99% purity by mass products
in the top and bottom streams, respectively.

Slide 5
By performing relevant simulations on Aspen Plus, the DEA column was designed with the specifications of 9 number
of stages, reflux ratio of 0.112, height of 2.67m and diameter of 0.381m operating at 1.2 bar of pressure.

Slide 6
Due to the column diameter being less than 0.6 m. Random Packing is preferred as fabrication of trays in small
columns are not economical.

The KOCH-Glitsch IMTP#25 was decided to be the random packing of choice due to its track record of being a widely
used packing for distillation applications and high performance.

The Utilities for the total condenser and the kettle reboiler are chosen to be HPS and CW as only HPS can provide a
high enough temperature for the bottom temperature of 342 deg C and chilled water is not necessary to condense a
distillate temperature of 275 deg C.

Slide 7
Moving on to the control strategy of the process unit

Slide 8
The control system is to mitigate the effects of the disturbances to the unit, where the main disturbances are
identified to be the ambient temperature and the feed conditions, namely the temperature, pressure, or flowrate of
the feed.

Slide 9
Therefore, there are a total of 5 control loops implemented for the unit.

Slide 10
The first one is the column pressure loop. This is to maintain desired pressure by varying the CW flowrate.

Slide 11
The liquid level in reflux drum is controlled by this loop where the distillate flowrate is manipulated to let out more
or less of the liquid in the drum accordingly.

Slide 12
This loop, feed to reflux ratio, tackles the feed flowrate variation disturbance by adjusting the reflux flowrate,
thereby maintaining the reflux ratio in a desired range.

Slide 13
The column base liquid level maintains the liquid level in the column within a desired range by manipulating the
bottoms flowrate.
Slide 14
Lastly, the bottoms composition loop utilises an inferential temperature technique where temperature near the
bottom of the column is measured and the steam flowrate is adjusted accordingly to maintain the purity of the
bottoms stream.

Slide 15
Next, the reliability of the Basic Process control system is investigated using the SIL analysis.

Slide 16
The hazard with the highest hazard category from performing the HAZOP, which is I, was identified to be the
overpressure of the column. This judgement is made with the Texas City Refinery Explosion in mind.

Slide 17
The first 3 parameters of the SIL analysis of the unprotected hazard are first determined qualitatively and the path is
then highlighted in red in the risk graph on the right.

Slide 18
The 4th parameter, which is the demand rate, is then determined with a Fault tree analysis of the unprotected hazard
with only the Basic Process control system shown on the left of the slide the parameter is chosen with the ranges in
the table on the right of the slide.

Slide 19
With the complete path highlight in red in the risk graph, a required SIL of 3 is determined.

Slide 20
A safety instrument function, SIF is then implemented to mitigate the occurrence of the hazard. An independent and
duplicate, pressure transmitter (PT-406) along with high level alarms, as well as a pressure relief valve (PSV-406)
were implemented to provide additional layers of protection. (PT-406 should be configured to Safety shutdown
system at pressure above safe operating limits.)

Slide 21
With the SIF implemented, an FTA is performed again, and the protected hazard SIL is determined to be SIL 3 in the
Low demand mode.

Slide 22
The required SIL of 3 matches to that of the SIL of the protected hazard. Hence no additional modifications are
recommended. However, the reliability of the unit may vary in practice and this analysis should be performed and its
results updated routinely with the real-world performance.

You might also like