6 replies to this topic

[aliebrahem17]

Hello Dears

We are facing a problem in a thermosyphone Reboiler that heating a sour water to strip the sour gas in a stripping column, the issue is that, the steam flowrate is not increasing beyond specific point although the control valve is open 100%
The reboiler is a horizontal thermosyphon
The steam used in the reboiler is saturated steam, pressure : 3.5 bar, temp :155 °c

Does anyone has a guess what is going wrong in the system??

[Pilesar]

My guess is the exchanger is heavily fouled. Have you had many years of success with this scheme? I've seen it tried several times but then abandoned in favor of direct steam stripping.

[latexman]

So little information, and so many possibilities.  I was thinking fouling too, so I'd put my money on Pilesar.  Let us know how it turns out!

[breizh]

Hi,

 

Agree with others, make sure your steam is saturated.

When was the last turn around and thermosiphon inspection?

Another area of concern, is the bundle well immerged? weir in good condition! 

Breizh

Attached Files

•  Thermosiphon lecture .pdf   671.01KB   59 downloads

[aliebrahem17]

The Reboiler is not fouled, it was inspected 5 months ago, it was clear

[astro]

I'd be getting technical data on the control valve and confirm that it's valve % open stacks up against a process mass/energy balance around the unit.

Sounds like some first principle heat & material balance work is called for. At the very least it will greet numbers assigned to the problem.

While the discussion is qualitative, the advice will be largely guesswork.

Edited by astro, 10 November 2025 - 07:41 AM.

[breizh]

To add to the discussion.

Breizh

Attached Files

•  Understanding Reboiler Heat Flux Limitations_CCTI_2010.pdf   465.13KB   36 downloads
•  thermosiphon reboilers.pdf   235.23KB   26 downloads