3 replies to this topic

[Lizette Process Engineer]

Our distillation plant's Solvent distillation column is experiencing severe blockages in the reflux loop.  The process inlet is refined chemical oil. Coal tar naphtha remains as the distillate product (product in the reflux loop) and acid-free-oil is the bottoms product.  The type of material blocking the reflux pumps and pipelines is mainly organic (carbon matter) and approximately 40% Fe.  What would be a suitable solvent to clean these blockages that would not damage the pipe wall material? (mild steel).  High pressure cleaning is not efficient.

 

[Bobby Strain]

What else is in the deposit other than Fe? Sulfur maybe. Or is it just corrosion products from acids in the naphtha? Sounds like corrosion products. Probably should use an inhibitor or stainless steel.

 

Bobby

[Atttyub194]

Could you please provide some more details

 

regards

[Atttyub194]

1. Could you please share some picture of the blockage
2. Have you tested presence of asphaltene ?