Prospectus

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OR-11 Kettle Reboiler Entrainment Expected Benefit toMembers: Distillation is the primary separation technology in the refining and chemical industries. Roughly $100B/yr. is expended producing heat to drive distillation columns across the world. Present Situation and Proposed Research: The kettle reboiler of the LP Column was modified during the May 2011 turnaround. Two 6-inch windows were added. Also, 8 new taps were added so that additional pressure, temperature and hydraulic information can be collected. Overall heat transfer coefficients will be calculable using 3 different hydrocarbon systems at pressure from 75 mmHg to 165 psia. Steam pressure/temperature changes will yield film and nucleate boiling. In the future, gamma scanning could be used to determine quantitative entrainment rates in the 18-inch vapor product nozzle. The de-entrainment capabilities of mesh, packings and Eaton separators could be studied. The U values of new tubes or enhanced (e.g., coated) tubes could be determined. A borescope could be purchased. Asymmetric reboiling, bundle vibration and thermosiphon operation could be studied. Proposed Internals and Test System: No trays or packings would need to be purchased. Estimated Unit Time: Four years to study everything in the above discussion. Estimated Additional Costs (Beyond Unit Time): Roughly $30K per year for four years. Background and Discussion: Developmental Research Idea

phase pool height, and the flow over the internal weir. That bi-phase height is not accurately calculable. During the November 2009, Empty Column Test, gamma scanning showed little entrainment from the reboilers. The goal of the proposed research is to gain a fundamental understanding of kettle reboiler operation and to obtain data for improving rating correlations.

Fractionation Research Inc. (FRI(SM)) operates an industrial scale distillation research unit. The FRI Experimental Unit includes two kettle reboilers. Kettle reboilers are not well understood. HTRI’s analysis of October 15, 2008 warned about high entrainment levels from the reboilers, but the impacts of the impingement baffles were unquantifiable. Entrainment levels in such exchangers are a strong function of the bi

PROSPECTUS

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