Abstract

CARRILLO, J.A et al. PRESSURE CONTROL IN VACUUM TOWERS. C.T.F Cienc. Tecnol. Futuro [online]. 1999, vol.1, n.5, pp.25-34. ISSN 0122-5383.

The increase in severity of visbreaking relates to an increase in olefin concentration in the visbreaking pitches. To conditions of the recovery of gas oils in the vacuum distillation tower, these olefins undergo oligomerization reactions, which produce sludge/polymers. The oligomerization reactions are favored by high temperatures, increment in the times of residence, free radicals and metals that can act as catalysts. The polymers are deposited in the Glitsch meshes and they become traps for the asphalt that are carried by the vapor currents. As a consequence of this process, the free area of the meshes is decreased and the linear rates of the vapors are increased. In time, an increment is registered in the pressure drops of the meshes as well as a growing contamination of the gas oils. The experimentation demonstrated high solubility of the components that cause this contamination. As a result of the study, a methodology for online tower clearing was put into practice and the problem indicated was controlled.

Keywords : visbreaking; sludge; resins; vacuum tower.

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