Diagnosis of an Unusual Hydrogenation Reactor Excursion

摘要

Temperature excursions to unsafe levels in "Tail End" hydrogenation systems are uncommon. Their causes are usually easy to identify and typically involve a procedural error during transitional operations. Safety systems and procedures to prevent potential runaway reactions are common. In two of NOVA Chemicals' ethane crackers, incidents have occurred which included both a loss of reaction and a significant exotherm in the C_2H_2 hydrogenation reactor. Diagnosis identified an unusual and previously unreported mechanism. Notably, common automatic safety systems may not prevent a similar occurrence. This paper will focus on general safe practices in tail end hydrogenation systems while discussing this and similar events and their observed effects on the hydrogenation catalysts.