2019 Spring Meeting and 15th Global Congress on Process Safety

(192d) Olefins Plant Cracked Gas Compressor Fouling Tutorial

Authors

Metzler, R. - Presenter, Baker Huges GE
Olefins plant cracked gas compressors frequently foul, resulting in loss of efficiency that increases energy consumption, and may threaten operational reliability, and ultimately cause throughput limitations. Critical factors in controlling compressor fouling are: 1) monitoring performance to identify and value impact of fouling, 2) identify fouling mechanism, 3) apply mitigation appropriate to the mechanism, 4) continue monitoring to validate mitigation effect. There are a lot of options available to the operator for monitoring, servicing and treating the cracked gas compressor. In this session we will discuss the various options to help the unit engineer understand the benefits and limitations of each.