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Case History

Chemical decontamination of gas separation towers and heat exchangers results in elimination of LELs and inorganic scaling and wash is waste water treatment safe

Results Achieved

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Benzene and hydrogen sulfide free
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Zero LEL’s after
18 hours of circulation
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No inorganic scales remaining

Chemicals Utilized

Award-winning asphaltene dispersant and anti-foulant

FQE LEL-Vapor

Rapid absorption and encapsulation of vapor-state hydrocarbons

H2S scavenger for the rapid and permanent elimination of H2S

Effective in the cleaning of scale such as barium sulfate, silicates, and various other scale deposits

A large ethylene plant used our decontamination products FQE® LEL-Vapor, FQE Solvent-H, FQE H2S Scavenger, and FQE Scale-Solv to prepare their quench water towers (T-1401/1501), cold-end separation towers, heat exchangers, and flare knock-out drum for maintenance.

The equipment required degassing, heavy tar removal and descaling of water-born scales. Flare knock-out drums were contaminated with heavy tars from entrained asphaltenes and waxes. The heavy sludge had been a problem for the facility, as deposits that have trapped light end hydrocarbons made vessel entry unsafe. The typical cleaning process resulted in work stoppage and extended purging of steam through the system to void the equipment of hazardous levels of flammable gases.

The flare knock drums were circulated with diesel oil containing 5% FQE Solvent-H for 24 hours at 71°C (160°F) and drained. Following the solvent circulation, the drums were circulated with a combination of FQE LEL-Vapor and FQE Scale-Solv to degas and descale the equipment.

After 12 hours of circulation at 60°C (140°F) the equipment was successfully descaled of inorganic deposits and was at zero LEL. The scaling was found to be mostly carbonate and sulfate scale with some iron sulfide. The iron sulfide was controlled by use of FQE H2S Scavenger for hydrogen sulfide off-gassing. The heat exchangers and all associated piping were circulated with FQE LEL-Vapor and FQE Scale-Solv to simultaneously de-oil and descale the equipment. The upstream de-ethanizer and de-propanizer towers were successfully degassed and de-oiled simultaneously.

Both quench water towers were decontaminated with FQE LEL-V and FQE Scale-Solv using a cascade circulation at 60-70°C (140-150°F). The quench water system was circulated through the towers, exchangers, and piping to remove water-born scale deposits. The wash water from each operation was sent directly to waste water treatment without delay or upset. Upon inspection, the equipment was found to be clean and acceptable for hot work.

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