Petrochemical Plant
A three-phase separator feeding a fractionation column, with the level and pressure trips that stop liquid reaching a gas compressor.
Startup. Levels established before heat is applied, compressor on recycle until suction is dry.
Deviation library
Components
Explore the equipment
Separate a multiphase hydrocarbon feed into gas, liquid and water, then fractionate the liquid — holding levels and pressures inside the envelope each downstream machine can tolerate.
Components
Feed lineLN-301
Brings multiphase feed into the train
Three-phase separatorSEP-301
Splits gas, hydrocarbon liquid and water
Fractionation columnCOL-301
Separates the liquid into products by boiling point
ReboilerREB-301
Supplies heat to the column bottoms
Overhead condenserCND-301
Condenses the overhead vapour
Compressor KO drumKOD-301
Catches liquid before the gas compressor
Gas compressorCMP-301
Compresses separated gas for export
Flare headerFLR-301
Takes relieved and blown-down hydrocarbon to the flare
Operating states
Normal Operation
Separator on level control, column at steady profile, compressor exporting gas.
Startup
Levels established before heat is applied, compressor on recycle until suction is dry.
Shutdown
Feed isolated, inventory depressured to flare, column cooled under control.
Failure scenarios and safeguards
MORELevel
Feed and compressor trip before liquid reaches the compressor suction.
MOREPressure
The column relieves to flare and stays within its design pressure.