CARBON VESSEL LOADING PROCEDURES When installing new carbon for liquid phase applications, a certain procedure should be followed. full of water. Then the carbon is poured into the ively slow pace. It should be confirmed at he water level stays above the the pouring First the vessel should be filled % vessel through the fill manway at a relati several times during this pouring process, that t! ‘carbon level, If the earbon level rises above the level of the water, should be halted, and additional water added to the vessel. “After all of the carbon has been installed, the water should be back flushed out the top of the vessel, until fine earbon particles or no longer being back flushed out of the unit, Fresh water should then be added to the vessel until the liquid level again rises above the carbon level. This water serves to displace air from the pore volume and replace the air with water. Higher temperature water wets the carbon faster, so ‘the hottest water possible should be utilized for this soaking process. If the water used is relatively hot (140-150 Degrees F) the carbon should be soaked for 5 to 6 hours. Ifon the other hand, the soaking water is at ambient temperature the soaking Should last from 8 to 12 hours. Ifthe carbon is not soaked properly before being put online, several operating problems can occur. 1 by liquid, those adsorption sites in contact with the for adsorption. More commonly, the air is displaced This displaced air can form air pockets. These air hhich obscures some of the carbon from becomiing pockets also drastically increase the pressure drop across the vessel, In some cases these pockets have extended through the entire cross-section of the vessel and have actually stopped flow completely in systems with vessels containing 14 feet diameters. Obviously, this problem is potentially very serious, and therefore, this soaking process is of extreme importance. First, if the air is never displace air are never efficiently utilized while the purifier is on stream. pockets can cause channeling w! involved with adsorption. These soaked fora sufficient length of time, the soaking water should again be flushed through the vessel inlet and out of the system. Regeneration of the carbon in this purification system can be accomplished by heating the carbon 10°50 degrees F above the highest boiling adsorbate for 2 to 3 hours. Itis most common for the purifier to be regenerated upflow, although regenerating downflow can accomplish the same result. After the carbon has been‘The reason that regenerating woflow is moer desirable, is based on the fact that the direst carbon is located at the top of the vessel. By regenerating up flow, the citaminates removed from this top section of carbon will not readsord on the ctner earbon since the path to the vessel exitis very short. Tt should be noted that a fullflow particulate filter should be installed upstream of the carbon vessel to remove solid particles from the solution.PROCEDURES FOR LOADING CARBON CANSITERS When transporting activated carbon, either in bulk or in individual canisters, certain amount of carbon fines are generated. If the carbon is put on-stream without removing them, the system’s particle filter will have to remove them, with a resulting shortening of their life. To eliminate this problem we suggest that the following procedure be followed prior to the installation of the elements. 1. Remove the carbon cansiter from the shipping carton. Either remove the plastic bag or open the top. 2. Insert a garden hose in the seal it off. 3, Flow clean tap water through the element at a flow rate of no more than 4 g.p.m. Initially, black water will come out of the eight smaller holes. Allow the water to flow until it is clear. This should take no longer than a minute or two. ‘Allow the element to drain for 5 to 10 minutes prior to installing in the vessel. Install the filters. ‘After changing elements in the normal manner. Close the filter and prepare to fill and purge. 7. Open the outlet valve, case. While slowly filling, vent, close the vent valve and allow t! the system. 8. After the pressure is equ 5 minutes to allow any fui this air. Note: Steps 6 through 8 to help prevent foaming in the contactor and stripping column, which air is a potent contributor to this problem, Also if the air is not removed it can plug pores and not get full use of your carbon. 9. Put filter on in the normal manner. large center hole with a rag wrapped around it to AAS slightly, to allow fluid to slowly start to fill the filter ‘vent ofall vapor. When liquid starts to floe out he he pressure in the filter to equalize with alized, allow the filter to remain off line for another ther air to accumulate in the top of the filter. Vent~ Procedure For Cleaning A Glycol Unit Using Caustic Soda By: Rodney Simons can involve many stages in order to effectively 'e most commonly found contaminants are sand, and mineral scale high in organic chlorides. Chemical cleaning of a glycol unit remove solids and contaminants. Th paraffin, coke (burnt hydrocarbons), 1g a glycol unit is alkaline base liquid flush. This is ‘and hydrocarbons. This stage Is done with a 3 to The other stage is an organic acid solution. This ale build up. Tt is done with a 3 to 5% solution ge can eliminate the need to Typically, the first stage of cleanin for the removal of solids, paraffin, 5% solution of caustic soda liquid. stage is for the removal of mineral sc ‘of hydrochloric acid. ‘The proper application of this sta remove fire tubes. on harmful cleaning techniques, and the The following information will go into det proper procedure for cleaning of glycol unt Harmful Cleaning Techniques with or without high detergent soaps, will do little good in cleaning the glycol system. High detergent soaps. can create serious Broblem by leaving trace quantities of soap after the cleaning job. | Eved this ereount of soap left in the unit can cause glycol to foam for a long period of time, 2, Steam cleaning is not very effective and can be very damaging and dangerous Team te harden the deposits in the system and makes them almost impossible to remove. 1. The use of cold or hot water, Proper Cleaning Techniques Stage 1 t. Shut off the reboiler flame, and allow the glycol temperature to reach 120 degrees F. Then remove the glycol from the system. 2. Remove or bypass all filtration. 3. Flush the system with water. 2 ilrthe system wit a 3 to 5% solution of caustic soda liquid, You should fill the system by pumping into the contact tower in the same direction as when circulating glycol. 5, after filling the system to an adequate circulating level in the surge tank oF Paboller, ‘start the fire tube and begin heating the treating solution to 2 temperature to 150 to 180 degrees F. 6. The heated caustic solution should then hours. 7, After following the recommended circulating time, turn off the fire tube heat, plowing the circulating solution to cool to 120 degrees F. Then drain or pump out all of the caustic solution. 8, Flush the system with fresh water u will take several water flushes. be circulated for approximately 6 to 8 intil the water is clean and has a pH of 7. ThisStage 2 . Fill the system with a 3 to 5% solution of hydrochloric acid. Fill the system by pumping Into the contact tower in the same flow direction as if circulating glycol, 2, Filtration should still be removed or by passed. 3. after filling the system to an adequate circulating level in the surge tank or eboller, restart the fire tube and begin heating the solution to a temperature of 150 to 180 degrees F. The heated solution should be then circulated for 3 hours. Following the recommended circulating time, turn off the fire tube, allowing the circulating solution to cool to 120 degrees F. Then drain the treating solution. 6. Flush the system with fresh water until the water is clean and has a pH of 7. ae Stage 3 Fill the glycol unit with virgin or reclaimed glycol in a manner and method consistent with standard operating procedures. 12. Cireulate the system for ¥2 hour while bringing the temperature up to 350 to 375 degrees F, or standard operating temperature.