Example: Olefin Dimerization Unit

See the Figure. An alkene / alkane fraction containing small amounts of suspended water
is continuously pumped from a bulk intermediate storage tank via a half-mile pipeline
into a buffer / settling tank where residual water is settled out prior to passing via a feed /
product heat exchanger and preheater to the reaction section. The water, which has an
adverse effect on the dimerization reaction, is run off manually from the settling tank at
intervals. Residence time in the reaction section must be held within closely defined
limits to ensure adequate conversion of the alkene and to avoid excessive formation of
polymer.

Selected Hazop results are shown in the Table.

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