Heriot-Watt University

School of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Chemical Engineering

HAZOP Exercise Separator Drum

A two-phase mixture of benzene and hydrogen at 90C and 2 bar is cooled to
40C before being piped to a knock-out drum in which most of the hydrogen
and some benzene vapour are disengaged from the liquid. The liquid product
from the drum is pressurised to 5 bar by a centrifugal pump, while the off gas
is compressed to 4 bar by a reciprocating compressor.

FC

Gas

Compressor

Feed

Cooler LC

Liquid

Pump

Gas flow rate from the compressor is regulated by a flow controller (FC),
which adjusts a bypass valve in parallel with the compressor; opening the
valve reduces flow by lowering output pressure. Liquid flow rate from the
pump is regulated by a level controller (LC), which adjusts the outlet valve to
give a constant depth of liquid in the base of the drum.

Carry out a HAZOP analysis for either the feed, gas product or liquid product
stream.

J. A. S. GOODWIN
January 2001
(Revised January 2003)