TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM

Distribution study
A technique which is able
to identify, on-line, the
distribution of fluids, both
liquids and gases, within
process vessels whilst
having no impact on the
process or production rate.
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Technology
Utilises advanced tracers
Active
Gaseous, organic & aqueous
Short half-life
Hand held inspection equipment
Density measurement
Gamma absorption
Grid scanning
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Features of technique
Tracer technology
Active tracer
Phase specific
No effect on process
Injected into process
Suitable for liquid and gas systems
All vessel types and diameters
External detectors
Typically 4 per ring
Immediate results
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Features of technique
Tracer technology
Density measurement
Grid scans
Typically 4
Suitable for liquid systems
Limited by vessel diameters &
packing density
Non-intrusive inspection
No vessel preparation
Immediate results
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Technique can identify
Process issues
Fluid mal-distribution
Fluid channelling
Mechanical issues
Packing failure
Collapse
Damage
Distributor failure
Poor distribution
Total failure
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Benefits of technique
Increase production capacity
Identify optimal process conditions on-
line
Identify extra capacity available
Reduce shutdown costs
Know problem before shutdown
Reduce cost of replacement
Reduce shutdown time
Avoid shutdown
On-line process modifications
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Case study 1 - Packed bed column - UK
Problem
Packed bed column
3 meter diameter
Fluctuating pressure drop
Suspected blockages
Options
Shut-down vessel
Inspect, order new material
Shutdown again to replace
Carry out TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM Distribution
study on-line
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Case study 1 - Packed bed column - UK
Study NORTH

Density measurement
Gamma absorption
EAST
4 grid scan
North, South, East, West
WEST
Hand held equipment
Two man team
SOUTH
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Case study 1 - Packed bed column - UK
Results
High mean density 100000
MAL-DISTRIBUTION THROUGH PACKED
Fig.1 BED

North side of bed

Total length of bed

R a d ia tio n I n te n s ity ( c o u n ts /3 s e c )
High liquid flow 10000

Low mean density Distributor

Inlet

South side of bed 1000

Total length of bed Demister Distributor Top of

Tray Packed Bed Bottom of
Packed Bed
Base Level

Support

Low liquid flow

Ring

Diagnosis
100
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8

Distance (metres)
EAST WEST NORTH SOUTH

Damage to inlet distributor

TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Case study 1 - Packed bed column - UK
Outcome
New distributor ordered 100000
MAL-DISTRIBUTION THROUGH PACKED
Fig.2 BED

Vessel shutdown

R a d ia tio n I n te n s ity ( c o u n ts /3 s e c )
Distributor replaced 10000

Hole identified Distributor

Inlet

Performance back to 1000

design Demister Distributor Top of

Tray Packed Bed Bottom of
Packed Bed
Base Level

Support

Vessel re-scanned 100

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8

No preferential flow identified

Distance (metres)
EAST WEST NORTH SOUTH

Bed density similar

TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Case study 2 - Catalyst bed - SE Asia
Problem
Catalyst bed
3 meter diameter
Poor efficiency
Effect on product capacity & quality
Options
Shut-down vessel
Inspect & identify problem
Solve & shutdown to implement solution
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM Distribution study to identify
issue
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Case study 2 - Catalyst bed - SE Asia
Study
Active tracer
Flow distribution
Non-intrusive detectors
Two rings
Top & bottom
Each ring with 4 detectors
2 tracer injections
Results available immediately
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Case study 2 - Catalyst bed - SE Asia
Study Detector

N/E

Injection
Point

S/E
Ring 1
N/W

S/
W
Two Rings of Four Ring 2
Detectors as shown
above. Located at top
and bottom of catalyst
bed, as shown.
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Case study 2 - Catalyst bed - SE Asia
Results
100

90 Top N/W
Top N/E
80 Top S/E

Top ring of detectors 70

Top S/W

Radiation Intensity
60

High flow 50

North East detector

40

30

Similar residence times 20

10

Bottom ring of detectors 0

0 4 8 12 16 20 24
Time (seconds)
28 32 36 40 44

60

High flow Bottom

N/W
50 Bottom

North East detector N/E

Bottom
S/E
40 Bottom

Diagnosis
S/W

Radiation Intensity
30

Massive mal-distribution within catalyst 20

Throughout vessel 10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Time (seconds)
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
Case study 2 - Catalyst bed - SE Asia
Outcome
Damaged distributor to blame
Replaced
New catalyst charge
Process performance returned
TRACERCO DiagnosticsTM
Distribution study
A technique which is able
to identify, on-line, the
distribution of fluids, both
liquids and gases, within
process vessels whilst
having no impact on the
process or production rate.