Prospectus

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OR-6 Heat Transfer in Pump-Around Zones Expected Benefit toMembers: Improved understanding and design of direct contact heat transfer zones of distillation columns. Present Situation and Proposed Research: Currently used correlations for sizing pump-around zones in distillation are 40+ yrs. old and are thought to be unduly conservative. The impact of the spray contacting zone on overall performance is not adequately described, and generally the existing correlations are too simplistic. There is very little independent research data on this topic. The data that is available tends to be only applicable for close boiling separations – and in this service very high heat transfer coefficients are obtainable. A new research program to be undertaken by FRI is proposed as follows: • Determine the heat transfer performance for spray and also packed column internals. • Test systems to cover typical crude oil and crude vacuum distillates, with varying quantities of non-condensable (steam). • Main parameters for the test program to include: • impact of process conditions (vapor, liquid loads, and MTD) • impact of non-condensable • impact of internals (bed depth, packing type, spray system) It is likely that this program will require testing with crude oil distillates, and this will require FRI to build a new pilot plant facility with an electrically heated feed heater. It is envisaged that these tests could be carried out in a 12” diameter column with a 5 – 10 ft. contacting zone. Proposed Internals and Test System: New experimental equipment; both sprays and structured packing internals would be tested. Estimated Unit Time: Approximately three calendar months would be required for a staff member to investigate whether equipment is available where the experimental work could be done on a contract basis or new experimental equipment is needed. Estimated Additional Costs (Beyond Unit Time): This would be contract experimental work. Cost not estimated because it is not known where the work could be done. Background and Discussion: None. Developmental Research Idea

PROSPECTUS

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