Troubleshooting Vacuum Systems : Steam Turbine Surface Condensers and Refinery Vacuum Towers

Vacuum systems are in wide spread use in the petrochemical plants, petroleum refineries and power generation plants. The existing texts on this subject are theoretical in nature and only deal with how the equipment functions when in good mechanical conditions, from the viewpoint of the equipment vendor. In this much-anticipated volume, one of the most well-respected and prolific process engineers in the world takes on troubleshooting vacuum systems, and especially steam ejectors, an extremely complex and difficult subject that greatly effects the profitability of the majority of the world's refineries. Content: Chapter 1 How Jets Work (pages 1–16): Chapter 2 Making Field Measurements (pages 17–37): Chapter 3 Tabulation of Vacuum System Malfunctions (pages 39–53): Chapter 4 Effect of Water Partial Pressure on Jet Efficiency (pages 55–65): Chapter 5 Air Leaks (pages 67–73): Chapter 6 Sources and Disposal of Hydrocarbon Off?Gas (pages 75–100): Chapter 7 Motive Steam Conditions (pages 101–111): Chapter 8 Mechanical Defects of Ejectors (pages 113–121): Chapter 9 Condenser Fouling and Cleaning (pages 123–133): Chapter 10 Pressure Control of Vacuum Towers (pages 135–141): Chapter 11 Condenser Cooling Water Flow (pages 143–149): Chapter 12 Condensate Back?Up in Condensers (pages 151–167): Chapter 13 Seal Leg Drainage (pages 169–196): Chapter 14 Other Types of Vacuum Equipment (pages 197–204): Chapter 15 Air Baffle and Impingement Plate in Surface Condensers (pages 205–216): Chapter 16 Optimizing Vacuum Tower Operation (pages 217–232): Chapter 17 Frequently Asked Questions (pages 233–241): Vacuum systems are in wide spread use in the petrochemical plants, petroleum refineries and power generation plants. The existing texts on this subject are theoretical in nature and only deal with how the equipment functions when in good mechanical conditions, from the viewpoint of the equipment vendor. Also, the existing texts fail to consider the interaction of the vacuum system with the process equipment it serves and the variability of the motive steam conditions, change in cooling water temperature condenser fouling and erosion of the ejectors. Here are some of the many questions answered in this groundbreaking volume: Why does my first stage jet make a surging sound during hot weather? Why does the vacuum suddenly break? I've seen moisture condensing on the jet's body! What's causing that? Why do I have to steam-out the drain legs from our condensers? Superheated steam is making our vacuum worse. Is this normal? How can I locate and measure air leaks? Reducing the steam pressure to my jets improves vacuum. But why? I can't pull the pre-condenser bundle. The shell side is fouling. What should I do? We're not getting our normal horsepower from our steam turbine. Could this be a jet problem? Raising the seal drum level improves vacuum! Is there an explanation for this? Our turbine exhaust steam pressure to our surface condenser has doubled in the last two years. What should we do? Restricting cooling water flow from our elevated condensers improves vacuum! Is this possible? What's a converging-diverging ejector all about? What's the difference between a barometric condenser and a surface condenser? Which is better?

Vacuum systems are in wide spread use in the petrochemical plants, petroleum refineries and power generation plants. The existing texts on this subject are theoretical in nature and only deal with how the equipment functions when in good mechanical conditions, from the viewpoint of the equipment vendor. In this much-anticipated volume, one of the most well-respected and prolific process engineers in the world takes on troubleshooting vacuum systems, and especially steam ejectors, an extremely complex and difficult subject that greatly effects the profitability of the majority of the world's refineries.