Ge312-1121 Columns - Drum
Ge312-1121 Columns - Drum
Page
DOCUMENT REVISIONS
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CONTENTS
1. COLUMNS
2. DRUMS
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1. COLUMNS
Ts hl
v
HLC
j
ee u
Notation
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This calculation can be done by using the program BALTRAY (Technip, in house), G-RATE
(Glitsch) or manually (a calculation sheet based on Glitsch's Ballast Tray method is attached in
GE P312 – Book 4.1.1 – Chapter II – English version).
Where vapour and liquid rates vary significantly across the column height, a diameter
calculation should be done for each zone, generally for the tray where the V load is maximum.
Where the column diameter is less than 1m, check whether packing is a more economical
solution than trays.
For other types of trays, the FRI methods shall be used. The diameter resulting from the use of
sieve trays is usually close to the diameter obtained with valve trays.
450 mm spacing can be used up to a maximum diameter of 2 m for standard columns and above
2 m for superfractionator columns.
Tray spacings of 600 mm and above can be used with no diameter limitation.
The number of passes is chosen in order to minimise the column diameter, taking into account
that a multipass tray is more expensive than a single pass tray. Avoid the use of more than
2 passes, except for very high liquid rates (e.g. circulating reflux zones). Multipass trays have a
lower efficiency than single pass trays which should be taken into account (particularly for
superfractionation).
For construction and installation reasons, in particular access through manholes, it is not
possible to use multipasses trays below certain diameters. The following minimum values
should generally be followed :
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Maximum downcomer velocity 0.17 m/s maximum Acceptable limit to achieve liquid
(v) degassing
Downcomer residence time 3 s minimum The value is usually greater than 6
seconds.
Clear liquid height (HLC) 45% of (tray spacing + weir Some services require lower values of
height) HLC
These criteria are applicable to both valve trays and sieve trays.
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This table gives indicative tray efficiency values for the most frequently met refining
applications.
Atmospheric distillation
Top section 90-95 1.5
Kerosene and gas oil separation 80 1.5
Stripping section 50 1.5
Stabilisation 75 - 80 12
Deethaniser 50 - 60 30
Depropaniser 85 15
Absorber-Stripper
Absorption 30 14
Stripping 50 14
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a. H1
Generally between 900 and 1000 mm
TL
H1
v
2
H2 v
1
ht
v
1
*1
Transition
H3 h1
HLL
h2
TL
b. H2
H2 = (number of actual trays - 1 ) x tray spacing
Notes :
§ For columns with more than one section (see 1.2), the height of the transition section can
be estimated the formula :
3
ht = (φ1 − φ 2 )
2
§ Feed trays using and manholes : General practice is to allow one manhole every 15 trays
and/or at feed tray locations. Extra shell height must be allowed for this as tray spacing is
increased to 900 mm for feed trays and at manhole locations.
c. H3
H3 = h1 + h2
h1 = (tray spacing) x 2
h2 = to be determined based on the hold up required, allowing for a LLL at 300 mm
above the tangent line.
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2. DRUMS
D 2p
Vt = 5 .45 x 10 − 10 x x (ρ d − ρ c )
µc
− D1p. 14 x (ρ d − ρ c ) 0 .7
Vt = 2.216 x 10 6 x
ρ 0c. 29 x µ 0c. 43
Dp x (ρ d − ρ c )
Vt = 5 .45 x 10 − 3
ρc
Vt x Dp x ρ c
Re =
10 3 x µ c
Where :
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(ρ L − ρ g )
Vc = 0.048 x
ρg
Vc = critical velocity (m / s)
ρ = density at the conditions
The allowable gas velocity depends on the service and whether a wire-mesh demister or other
separation enhancing device is used. Allowable gas velocity is expressed as a percentage of the
critical velocity. This percentage varies in most cases from 80 to 220% of the critical velocity
(See Table 1 for the K values).
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The liquid residence time is determined based on considerations of process control and safety.
The following residence times may be reduced if an advanced process control scheme is used, in
particular a feed forward type.
a. Reflux drum
8 to 10 min.
5 min.
e. Steam drum
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The horizontal cross-sectional area of the drum is used for the vapour velocity calculation.
General rules to be followed when determining vertical vessel dimensions are given in Figure 1.
For wire mesh demisters : where the vessel diameter is not fixed by the vapour velocity, the
active cross sectional area of the mesh can be reduced so that the velocity through the mesh is
between 170 to 220% of the critical velocity.
If the consequential mesh diameter is less than half of the vessel diameter a horizontal vessel
would be probably more economical.
This method is not adequate for the sizing of drums operating at high pressure (> 30 bar) at high
throughput and when an efficient L/V separation is expected (critical drums).
§ Hemispherical bottoms
§ A vane type feed distributor
§ A heavy duty mesh pad
§ The use of specific sizing rules validated through systematic CFD studies.
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General rules to be followed when determining vertical vessel dimensions are given in Figure 2.
An economic length (T/T) to diameter ratio is generally in the range of 2 to 4 and depends on
the vessel design pressure.
D2 D − 2h D
AL = Arc cos − − h h ( D − h) h in meter
4 D 2
D − 2h
Arc cos in radians D in meter
D
π D2
AV = − AL AL in m2
4
AV in m2
π
Vfd = h 2 (1.5 D − h )
3k
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Vc = Critical velocity in m / s
K = % Vc allowed (given in Table 1)
Qv = Vapour flowrate in m3 / s
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As the minimum droplet sizes found in usual calculations vary significantly, the following
values are suggested :
d15
4 < 0.850 H2 O or caustic 127 microns (0.005 inch)
d15
4 > 0.850 H2 O or caustic 89 microns (0.0035 inch)
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2.3.2. Sizing
§ Calculate the settling velocity in each phase with the formulae from paragraph 2.1.
Qc2 + Qd2
D = 0.664 (m)
Vc Qc + Vd Q d
Qd
hd =
xD height of the d phase in meter
Qd + Qc
Check that the decanting time is not greater than the residence time :
h h
t d = d and t c = c A C
Vd Vc L
Ac x L x 3 600
φc = D
Qc
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Three phase separator sizing is done by calculating the vapour area as for a liquid-vapour
separation and the liquid area as for a liquid-liquid separation. However this method is not
applicable for production separators (crude oil separators) because in this case the liquid-liquid
separation is based only on residence times which are generally taken between 3 and 5 minutes.
If the heavy phase flowrate is low, a boot may be used. Its diameter must be less than 1/3 of the
vessel diameter unless special agreement with the pressure vessel department (mechanical).
Contact vendors. Check the pressure drop required by this type of device.
Contact vendors.
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TABLE 1
% Vc Without With
Service Mesh Mesh
Reflux drum 170 220
Effluent separator 170 220
Separator located at the inlet of a
column where there is a risk of
80 170
foaming caused by liquid
entrainment (ex : Glycol contactor)
Compressor suction drum 80 220
Fuel gas drum 80 170
Steam drum 130(*)
Flare drum 300
(1st estimate)
(*) with special internals guaranteed for a pre -détermined entrainment level.
Correlation between the droplet diameter in micron and % Vc from Newton’s formula :
ρl − ρg
Vc = 0.048
ρg
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FIGURE 1
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FIGURE 2
(All dimensions in mm)
h1 30 0 min imu m
h3 40 0 min imu m
h7 15 0 min imu m ( Ch eck if th e res id en ce time is co mp atib le with th e s afety e.g . clo s u re time o f th e s h u td o wn v alv e
o n th e liq u id lin e) ( No te 1) .
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CURVE 1
(AL / AT = f (h / D)
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