The NOVA Chemicals Debutanizer Tower at the Corunna site experienced operational upsets. Gamma scans revealed that the Tower had flooded, and upon opening the tower it was found that the bottom trays fouled. An investigation was initiated to identify the root causes of the fouling as well as to aid in optimizing conditions under which fouling is minimized. Fouling deposit samples were collected at different times and characterized employing various analytical tests. Laboratory fouling experiments were designed and carried out to test fouling propensity of the tower bottom streams. In addition, experiments were run under different conditions to see how process variables such as temperature and residence time impact the debutanizer bottom fouling rates. A range of temperature and residence time conditions were identified under which fouling might be minimized. Also, plant data was gathered, and the tower was simulated to understand process conditions and tower performance.
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