Ethylene Industry ›› 2022, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (3): 13-16.

• INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Cause Analysis and Countermeasures for Operational Problems of Caustic Wash Tower in Ethylene Plant

Xie Ming   

  1. SECCO Petrochemical Company Limited, Shanghai, P.C.201507
  • Received:2022-05-28 Online:2022-09-25 Published:2022-09-20

Abstract:

The caustic wash tower in ethylene plant is used to remove the acid gas such as CO2 and H2S in cracking gas. During its operation, the increased accumulation of polymer at the bottom of caustic wash tower resulted in poor acid gas removal effect and over high CO2 in the overhead cracking gas. The CO2 formed dry ice in equipment for cryogenic operation and blocked the equipment and pipelines, affecting the normal operation of the plant and producing off-spec ethylene product. This article discusses the modification of caustic wash tower, the causes of the operational problems and the measures taken. Through adjustment, the operation of caustic wash tower was greatly improved, ensuring the stable operation and on-spec product of the ethylene plant. 

Key words: ethylene plant, caustic wash tower, cause of problem, countermeasure