1. Purpose
This article gives detailed information regarding the Lower Tray leak test procedure that must be performed after Lower Tray installation and seal plates welding in Adsorbers Internals in Plants & Refinery.
2. Safety Precautions:
Personal protective equipment required (gloves, long sleeve working suit, protection glasses etc…). During the leak test no entry inside the vessel is permitted if the bottom head pressure is higher than 0.05 barg.
3. Manpower Required:
• 1 Supervisor
• 3 helpers for checking of leaks
• 1 welder and I helper for repairing if required
4. Lower Tray Leak Test Procedure in Adsorbent Tower
4.1 Lower tray and piping manifold leak test
The following figure displays a schematic view of lower tray and manifold piping leak test status during leak test operation.
Figure 1: Lower tray and piping manifold leak test
4.2 Mechanical Resistance
During this step no entry inside the vessel is permitted.
► Check the equilibrium device nozzle is blind.
► Install a temporary blind flange on the pump around outlet.
► Close the manhole and all the other nozzles located on the bottom head.
► Very slowly start to increase the pressure in the bottom of the adsorbers.
► Pressurize bottom head under dry air at 0.3 bar g.
► Isolate during 4 hours.
► Depressurize the bottom head down to 0.05 bar g.
► Visually verify the mechanical integrity of the different pieces of the tray. If no damage / deformation are found on the lower tray, the mechanical test is successfully passed.
Remark: According to this procedure, the piping manifold is air-tested from the outside at the same time but the tightness of the piping may be questionable if the loss of pressure is coming from the panels themselves.
4.3 Lower Tray Leak Test Procedure
► Hold the pressure during 2 hours at 0.05 bar g.
► Check the tightness of the tray by controlling the pressure local indicator. If pressure loss is below 0.01 bar over 2h, the leak test is successfully passed.
► Use a surface-active agent or leak detector to locate the leak.
► If leakage is found, depressurize the head down to 0 bar g and repair the defective weld. Pressurize back the bottom head to check the repair.
► Perform these steps until the leak test is fully satisfactory (pressure loss is below 0.01 bar over 2h and no leaks found).
► When leak test is satisfactorily passed, proceed with next steps of lower tray installation procedure.
For More Knowledge: INSTALLATION OF ADSORBENT TOWER INTERNALS
FAQs about Adsorbers Internals Installation
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Explain about Sieve Tray Distillation Column?
A sieve tray distillation column is a type of distillation column used in the separation of liquid mixtures. It consists of multiple horizontal trays stacked on top of each other within the column. Each tray has holes or slots, known as sieve openings, which allow the vapor and liquid to flow through.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eDuring operation, the liquid mixture enters the column at the top and flows onto the sieve trays. As vapor rises through the column, it comes into contact with the liquid on each tray. The vapor and liquid undergo mass transfer, with volatile components in the liquid vaporizing and rising to the top while less volatile components remain in the liquid phase.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThe sieve trays help to distribute the liquid and vapor evenly across each tray, allowing for efficient separation. The vapor exits the top of the column, while the liquid collects on the trays and eventually exits at the bottom.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eSieve tray distillation columns are commonly used in industries such as petroleum refining, petrochemicals, and chemical processing. They offer good efficiency, easy maintenance, and are suitable for a wide range of liquid mixtures.
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What is the length of unused bed adsorption?
The length of the unused bed can vary depending on several factors, including the design of the adsorption system, the flow rate of the fluid being treated, and the properties of the adsorbent material. In general, the length of the unused bed is determined to ensure that there is sufficient contact time between the fluid and the adsorbent to achieve the desired level of adsorption.
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How to do sieve tray design calculation?
Sieve tray design calculations involve determining parameters such as tray spacing, tray open area, hole diameter, weir height, and downcomer area. These calculations ensure optimal performance and efficient separation in distillation columns.
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Write down few main points of fixed bed adsorber design?
Fixed bed adsorber design involves determining the bed dimensions, including bed height, diameter, and volume, based on the adsorption capacity and flow rate requirements. Other design considerations include selecting the appropriate adsorbent material, determining the bed loading and pressure drop, and designing the inlet and outlet configurations. The goal is to ensure efficient adsorption and optimal utilization of the adsorbent material for the desired purification or separation process.