Operating
Opportunities
Operations usually wrings every
last bit of capacity out of their existing facilities. By
trying various operating conditions, plant operators,
engineers, and supervisors learn the limits of the equipment.
Depending on the exact bottleneck, some of the following
suggestions may allow higher capacities:
- Modify operating
specifications and conditions. One example that usually
increases both capacity and profitability is increasing
the amount of impurities up to specification
limits.
- Raise tower pressures if the
trays or overhead condenser is limiting. Note that there
is an energy penalty for running at higher
pressures.
- Lower tower pressures if the
bottom trays or reboiler are limiting.
- Install higher capacity
catalyst, activated support, and dense load
reactors.
- Install larger control
valves.
- Running pumps in parallel can
sometimes debottleneck hydraulic circuits depending upon
the shape of the pump and system curves. Note that an
analysis of the pump hydraulics should be made for long
term parallel pump operation.
- Run with lower product tank
levels if the product pumps are limiting.
- Use parallel rundown lines if
the product pumps are limiting.
- Replace sodium chloride with
calcium chloride in limiting driers.
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