Abstract:

Through investigating the influence of depressurization operation of the ethylene rectification tower in an ethylene plant on overhead condenser, ethylene sphere tank, tower load and cooling capacity recovery of cycle ethane, it is found that overhead condenser and ethylene sphere tank are the main bottlenecks of the depressurization operation. After revamping the overhead condenser and the ethylene sphere tank, the ethylene rectification tower can be depressurized to 1.63 MPa (G), saving the operating cost by 4.5 million yuan per year. It is estimated that the revamping cost of 27 million yuan can be recovered in nearly 6 years.

Key words: ethylene rectification tower, high-pressure rectification, depressurization operation, bottleneck