Atmoshperic Tower Corrosion

[engzeidan]

Based on the reflux stream temperature, how can I determine if aqueous droplets will form in the tower, potentially causing corrosion? Do I check if the reflux temperture is colder than the condensation temperature of water at the tower operating pressure? Or do I use the free water formation temperature of the vapor flow in the top section of the tower?

Using the condensation temperature seems not reasonable for me because condensed water droplets will disolve in the condensed hydrocarbon droplets.

Any opinions/ideas?

 

[StoneCold]

engzeidan
Very often when you condense a hydrocarbon vapor that contains water the water and hydrocarbon separate in the condensate receiver. That is why many "wet" columns have water boots on the receiver. A water boot is usually a fairly large (6-10inch) diameter pipe that comes off the bottom of the tank. The water level in the pipe is automaticlly controlled so that it dumps out before the leg is full, exactly like a two phase separator. Does that help?