HIGH EFFICIENCY COALESCERS INCREASE ON-LINE PROCESS ANALYZER SENSOR RELIABILITY

摘要

On-line process analyzers have become common place in industrial plants and are becoming morerncomplex and numerous each year. One of the most critical issues with the use of on-line sensors is theirrnvulnerability to fouling and the potential harmful outcomes of inaccurate measurements such as nonrnoptimized process control leading to loss of revenue. Also of concern is the need for costly replacementrnparts due to corrosion and maintenance related to frequent repairs or cleanings. Advances in separationrntechnology of liquid / gas coalescers and liquid / liquid coalescers and their application to sensorrnprotection are presented. The use of specially engineered polymeric media has advanced the state of thernart for separating liquid aerosols from gases and breaking emulsions in liquid systems. Separationrnmechanisms in the newly developed technology are described along with how this technology is appliedrnto analyzer protection. Installations of this separation technology include protection of near infra redrnsensors in gasoline blending, density meters and gas chromatography analyzers in fuel gas, and sensorsrnused to monitor sour water. Case histories from a European Refinery and Canadian Refinery arernpresented covering the installation details and cost - benefit analysis.