Gravity Wash Column Design, Procurement, and Installation; Followed by Development Tests of the Modified Single-Stage Desalting Pilot Plant at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

摘要

This was the final report of a project that covered the design, procurement and installation of a gravity wash column and other modifications to the existing 75,000 gallons per day Crystalex pilot plant located at Wrightsbille Beach, North Carolina. Following modifications, development tests were conducted to evaluate plant performance with a gravity wash column. Earlier study had revealed that the large scale 5-foot diameter pressurized counterflow wash column with annular screen design has a number of problems. Use of a new 13-foot diameter gravity wash column design was based on laboratory test data. Laboratory test data and experience also indicated improvements could be made in level controls, pressure transmitters, blow seals, wash water ratio control, and other system areas, and such improvements were incorporated in the Wrightsville plant system. The major pilot plant problem area needing additional design development study and testing is the configuration of the gravity wash column and its drain screen. Use of warm fluid passages appeared feasible to alleviate screen freezing problems in the pressurized wash column. Other options have been considered. Most of the modified pilot plant system performed reasonably well. Pending improvement for the wash column as outlined could result in the desired performance.