3 replies to this topic

[rizwanogdc@gmail.com]

Need an expert opinion on the design of the sour water handling system. Is this design workable or not?

As per the PFDs, a mixture of sour water and 50% hydrocarbons enters a three-phase separator operating at 185 psig and 120°F. The separator is provided with an LCV to control the liquid level. This LCV also reduces the pressure of the sour water from 185 psig to atmospheric pressure.

 

After separation, the sour water, containing 0.12 mol% H₂S, is routed to an atmospheric storage tank (internal floating roof tank) through an 8-inch line. The tank is provided with an 8-inch water inlet nozzle, which is submerged below the liquid level. The minimum tank liquid level is 4 meters, while the tank is 18 meters high and 15 meters in diameter.

 

The tank is equipped with a PVRV designed for thermal breathing. An H₂S adsorbent bed is installed on the tank vent line to treat the vented vapor before discharge to the atmosphere. The tank is also provided with nitrogen blanketing to maintain the required tank pressure.

 

The tank is an internal floating roof tank. The design sour water flow rate is 6,000 bbl/day, while the actual operating flow rate is approximately 2,000 bbl/day.

 

Appreciate any major concerns with this design. The project is about to start based on the provided design by the engineering contractor.

[Pilesar]

What is your concern about the design? Do you not trust the engineering contractor?
One question to ask might be 'what are the consequences if the LCV of the separator failed open?' Could the atmospheric storage tank handle the change in feed?

[breizh]

Three Phase Separator Control and Advanced Slug Handling Masterclass for Engineers

 

Breizh

[rizwanogdc@gmail.com]

What is your concern about the design? Do you not trust the engineering contractor?
One question to ask might be 'what are the consequences if the LCV of the separator failed open?' Could the atmospheric storage tank handle the change in feed?

 

I am concerned about the safety of the system. Just want to have some feedback from an expert on this process flow scheme. Actually, some process conditions may create issues with system integrity, thats reason I am not trusting the engineering contractor. I will definitely ask  the engineering contractor the scenario when this LCV will be full open and the design of the tank.