Increasing the overall steam system reliability of an ethylene plant begins with improved control of water chemistry in the transfer line exchanger (TLE).
A transfer line exchanger (TLE) is used to rapidly cool steam cracking furnace effluent while generating high-pressure steam in an ethylene plant. Due to extreme conditions present in TLEs and the potential for challenging water circulation, TLEs often experience steam drum chemistry reliability issues. Poor steam drum chemistry can lead to furnace equipment damage and downstream turbomachinery problems, ranging from inefficient operation to potential ethylene cracker shutdown. Therefore, maintaining TLE water chemistry control is a vital component of overall ethylene plant reliability.
Water chemistry quality control can be complex due to shared ownership and responsibility within an operating organization and with a water chemistry partner. Building a successful partnership relies on having standard, agreed-upon quality control practices, effective collaboration, and clear communication between teams.
This article discusses how cross-organizational troubleshooting can be leveraged to improve TLE reliability through tightened chemistry control and efficient, collaborative response to upset events...
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