Installing a Charge Gas Compressor Booster

The Braskem Ethylene Southeast Plant expansion study from 500 MTA to 700 MTA recommended that the charge gas compressor turbine and the 1^st and 2^nd stages should be replaced. Due to a series of technical and logistical constraints, was decided to install a booster compressor upstream the first stage of the existing charge gas compressor. Minor modifications to the 4^th & 5^th stage impellers of the existing charge gas compressor were required to satisfy the final stage discharge pressure requirement

This paper describes all main steps since conceptual design in 2005 to it start up in 2009, including the development of the load sharing strategy and the definition of pressure profile to avoid major modifications in the existing intercoolers and caustic tower.