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Solution
Summary
Dynamic Simulation Example:
Dynamic simulation can be Column Relief Load Analysis
used to simulate a typical
distillation column or INTRODUCTION
fractionator relief scenario Dynamic simulation can simulate a typical distillation column or fractionator relief
to calculate the column scenario (such as cooling water failure, partial power failure, and total power failure).
relief load more accurately The objective of the analysis is to calculate the column relief load more accurately
than using conventional
than using conventional methods while maintaining an acceptable margin of
safety. The peak relief flow may then be used to size relief valves or used within an
methods, while
overall flare analysis to determine relief valve back pressures. In most cases, the
maintaining an acceptable use of dynamic simulation can reduce the need for additional relief valves or flare
margin of safety. system expansion. This example discusses how dynamic simulation can reduce the
calculated relief loads by 25% or more as compared with conventional calculations.
Increase throughput Dynamic simulation provides an alternative to conventional calculation methods and
through units that are provides substantially lower relief loads. For fractionation towers with wide boiling
ranges, significant flare load reductions are possible. Dynamic simulation accounts
constrained by relief
for the limited inventory of light components and the sensible heat required to boil
capacity off the heavier components.
Dynamic simulation is consistent with the approach of API-521. API RP 521 Section
3.3 (1995) has two components:
Where:
W - Relief flow
f - Feed or product flow
h - Feed or product enthalpy
Q - Reboiler or condenser duty
- Heat of vaporization
Tower
The DYNSIM Tower Model includes both vapor and liquid holdup on each tray.
Tray liquid holdup assumes clear liquid height. This is a conservative assumption as it increases the
amount of volatile low boiling point components.
The Tower has the same number of theoretical stages as the steady state simulation. The inventory of
each theoretical stage is adjusted by the ratio of actual trays to theoretical stages.
A DYNSIM Separator simulates the column sump. The Separator includes an internal weir to simulate
the thermosyphon reboiler baffle. Accurately modeling the sump inventory is important as reboiler
heat transfer rate reduces as the inventory is depleted.
Condenser
The overhead condenser is modeled with an equation to reduce surface area when the overhead
accumulator floods.
Relief Valve
The DYNSIM Relief Valves are set to modulate rather than pop open. A modulating relief valve provides
the peak relief rate while holding the column pressure at a nearly constant rate as required to determine
the relief load. This is the preferred approach when determining a peak relief flow to use in an overall
flare system back pressure analysis or to size relief valves for a new column. Alternatively, the relief valve
can be pop acting based on the available relief valve orifice area to determine if pressure rises above
the allowable accumulation (10% for single valves and 16% for multiple valves).
Controls
Per API Recommended Practice 521, controllers fail in their last positions unless their automatic
action increases the relief load. Many controllers are not required to be modeled and the simulation
does not need to match the control configuration used in the actual plant.
Reflux cascade flow controller operates to keep a constant mass flow rate. The master controllers are
assumed to not change the set point the slave controllers.
The overhead pressure controller locks in position since its action to open on high pressure would
reduce the relief valve load.
Tray temperature controllers on reboiler steam are not required to be simulated since a temperature
increase during relief would reduce reboiler heat transfer.
SCENARIO CASES AND RESULTS
Table 1 summarizes the three relief scenarios and provides the results for the conventional calculation
and peak DYNSIM relief flow. Table 2 shows the actual scenarios as implemented in the DYNSIM
Scenario utility.
Figure 1 shows the relief rate for the loss of cooling water case. The peak relief rate is 42,000 kg/hr,
24% lower than the conventional calculation. Reflux continues to empty the contents of the overhead
receiver into the column and cascades down through the trays to the reboiler where it is vaporized to
increase pressure and create relief.
Figure 2 shows the relief rate for loss of the Reflux Overhead Product Pump. The peak relief rate is
120,000 kg/hr, 40% lower than the conventional calculation. The pressure initially decays as the reflux
stops the supply of volatile material entering the column. However, the overhead receiver floods in an
approximate four minutes, which eliminates condenser cooling, and the pressure begins to increase to
create relief. There is a large spike at 23 minutes as the low boiling material reaches the reboiler.
Figure 3 shows the relief rate for loss of the overhead pump. The peak relief rate is 15,000 kg/hr, 78%
lower than the conventional calculation. Pressure first falls due to loss of reflux. However, since there is
a loss of feed the reboiler is not supplied with low boiling material and the relief quickly subsides.
Additional Work
It is the process engineers obligation to ensure that the results of a simulation model are appropriate
for the design. The following is a partial checklist to help validate a column relief study using dynamic
simulation.
Review electrical bus arrangements to see which electrical devices can trip at the same time. Loss of
multiple devices due to a common electrical supply is a typical relief scenario.
Check initial column tray holdup calculations to be sure that the inventory estimate is adequate. It is
allowable if you overestimate the actual inventory using a clear liquid approach.
Investigate pop-acting relief valve to determine maximum pressure using the actual relief system
configuration.
Be sure that the liquid levels are not low such that vapor is blowing through liquid control valves.
In many cases, conservative limiting case assumptions can be made to simplify simulation
development. Perform sensitivity runs to determine the impact of these assumptions on the results to
see if further simulation refinement is warranted. This approach is often far less time consuming than
attempting to create a more rigorous simulation.
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