Sulzer Chemtech

Separation Technology
for the Hydrocarbon Processing Industry
Technology Leadership

Sulzer Chemtech produces a wide array of tower

internals. With this broad spectrum of custom-designed
fractionation trays, random and structured packing we
can meet any process requirement in any size tower
throughout the chemical, refining, petrochemical, and
gas processing industries. For over 50 years, Sulzer
Chemtech has been serving these industries with
our innovations, which set a new standard in many
applications.

Sulzer Chemtech Achievements:

1956 Nutter Float Valve trays in an olefin plant,
among others for a 120” i.d. C2 Splitter
1964 BX gauze packing for Distillation of heat
sensitive fragrances Industrial Applications from A to Z
1975 BX plastic gauze packing for HCl Absorption
Ammonia and fertilizer production 11
towers
1977 Nutter V-Grid trays for C3 Splitters DMF / DMAc recovery 13

1985 Nutter Ring for Demethanizer Ethylene / Propylene 4/5

1985 Mellapak for Water Quench towers Ethanolamine 6/7
1988 Design of Heat Pump systems Ethylene glycol 6/7
1988 Mellapak for Ethylene Oxide towers Ethylene oxide 6/7
1995 Mellagrid for Water Quench towers Heat pump / heat integration 13
1997 Katapak for Reactive Distillation of Methylal
High pressure gas saturation 8/9
2000 MellapakPlus for various applications
Methanol 12
Selective H2S absorption 8-10
For classical column operations such as distillation,
absorption, stripping and extraction, and for alternatives Synthesis gas applications 8/9
such as crystallization, membrane permeation and
Tail gas treating 10
reactive distillation, we are continuously developing
new product ideas to meet the economical and Treatment of corrosive products 14
technical objectives of our customers. For numerous
applications Sulzer Chemtech provides superior plant
performance, improved product quality, increased
capacity, and reduced energy consumption.

Sulzer Chemtech offers the full range of column

internals with trays, random and structured packings
optimized through column simulation, process design,
basic engineering and field services.

Sulzer Chemtech is a worldwide leading supplier

for separation technology; thanks to our customers
and the confidence they instill into our products and
capabilities. Color index of the diagrams
From the very first to the very last of our more than
• Structured packing
30,000 columns in operation we have never stopped
listening to our customers about their needs. At Sulzer • Trays
Chemtech, we are eager to develop a successful appli-
• Random packing
cation for your needs.


Application Know-How and Service are our Driving Force

Sulzer Chemtech has 50 years of

accumulated application know-
how and experience in developing,
designing, supplying and servicing
mass transfer equipment in the
Chemical, Petrochemical, Refining,
Gas Processing and Speciality
industries. Only the very best
technical solutions can secure the
competitive advantages which our
0602 2512 0694 2507
customers need in today’s highly
Trays Grids
demanding conditions. Leadership
in technology and application
know-how is fundamental to our
success.

0600 2569-3 0699 2524

Shell trays Random packings

0679 2001

Structured packings Replacement Service

Reliable and fast supply through
a world-wide manufacturing
Technical and Process Support network of:
• any hardware
• Column simulations and • most valves
design
• most tray decks
• Process simulations and plant
optimization • complete trays
• Feasibility studies for capacity
and/or purity improvements
• CFD modelling
• Pilot plant testing

Field Services
• Installation consulting,
inspection or supervision
• Full installation services
• Trouble shooting assistance
• Scanning
• Start-up assistance

0601 2505-4 0695 2510-13


Ethylene / Propylene Plants
Whatever your plans are, we have the right solution for every service

Water quench tower with Mellapak/Mellagrid

Benefits:
Before revamp After revamp
+70% higher capacity The revamp of the water quench tower
trays and random packing to structured
37 oC
35 oC
packing Mellapak ® led to improvements
920 m3/h ΔT = 8 oC 1250 m3/h ΔT = 2 oC in capacity and in efficiency. In addition,
29 oC 33 oC energy costs were reduced considerably
Random due to the following reasons:
Mellapak
packing
1230 m3/h 1050 m3/h, 59 oC • Less cooling energy requirements
Δp ≥ 100 mbar Δp = 10 mbar
57 oC Mellapak + and no steam consumption for the
Trays
Mellagrid reboiler of the C3 Splitter, due to better
230 t/h efficiency of structured packing.
400 t/h
99 oC 70 oC 94 oC 80 oC • Less energy requirements for the
compression stage due to low pressure
drop in the packed bed.

Hot section
Cracker/ Oil quench/Primary Water 3-stage gas Caustic 4th-stage gas
Furnace fractionator quench compression wash tower compression

Feedstock (e.g. Naphtha,

Gas oil, Ethane) Olefins

Steam

Water
Dehydration unit
• Activated alumina
• Molsieves
• TEG system
Fuel oil
Aromatics
Refrigeration unit

Caustic wash tower with Mellapak

Benefits of structured packing:
• Smaller column diameter, due to higher
Water capacity
Water • Reduced packing height, due to higher
Random Mellapak separation efficiency
packing
NaOH
• Lower pressure drop
NaOH
9m • Reduced foaming tendency, due to less
7.5 m turbulences
• Less entrainment
9m 7.5 m • Higher fouling resistance

ID ID
5500 4900


C2 Splitter and/or C3 Splitter with Shell HiFi trays
Objectives: +20 % feed rate, same product specification Benefits:
Initial design 1st Option: 1 for 1 retray 2nd Option: 4 for 3 retray • For higher capacity:
Replacement of existing trays enables
24.4 Gcal/hr 28.2 Gcal/hr 25.3 Gcal/hr handling of increased column loads at
higher exchanger duties.
• For higher capacity and / or higher
I.D. 4000 169 trays efficiency:
130 trays 130 trays 307 mm Replacement of existing trays by a
430 mm spacing spacing higher number of new high capacity
C3 feed C3 feed trays enables a reduction in reflux
C3 feed +20 % +20 % and load requirements, but puts
more emphasis on tray capacity and
4.6 I.D. 4000 4.6 4.6 efficiency at low tray spacing.
Gcal/hr 117 trays 150 trays
117 trays Gcal/hr Gcal/hr 350 mm spacing • For new columns:
457 mm spacing Technology can be used to minimize
20.9 Gcal/hr 24.2 Gcal/hr 21.4 Gcal/hr dimensions of new columns, such as
Propane the diameter and height.

Cold section
De-methanizer De-ethanizer C2 Splitter De-propanizer C3 Splitter De-butanizer

C2H2 Acetylene

C3H6
Acetylene recovery to EO-plant Propylene
C2H4
Ethylene

CH4,H2

C2H x C3Hx

C2H 6 C3H8
Ethane Propane
recycle

C2+ C3+ C4+ C5+

New C3 Splitter with Reuse of existing C3 Splitter

conventional trays with VGPlus trays High performance VGPlus trays allow
the reuse of the existing tower without
replacing it by a new one.

The advantages of VGPlus:

• Higher capacity at same efficiency
ID 3600 mm ID 3200 mm • Tray spacing can be kept
120 trays 120 trays • No welding to column shell, as existing
400 mm spacing 400 mm spacing attachments can be reused

Feed Feed • Minimized plant shut down time

61 trays 61 trays • Lower revamp costs
450 mm spacing 450 mm spacing


Ethylene Oxide and Derivates

- Antifreeze agent
- PET production
67% Ethylene Glycols - Polyester production
- Heat transfer liquid
- Plastizicer / softener
- Solvent Revamp of a CO2 absorption column
from high capacity trays to Mellapak
- Textile finishing
7% Ethanolamines - Cosmetics / Soaps Bevore revamp
- Detergents
- Gas purification Gas quantity (t/h) 110
EO CO2 at entry (vol. %) 4.7
- Brake fluid CO2 at exit (vol. %) 1.4
5% Glycol Ethers - Solvent for paint
- Detergents CO2 absorption (t/h) 7.1
- Gas purification

EO production
- Detergents
21% other Ethoxylates - Surfactants
- Emulsifiers

Wash
Know-how colunm CO 2 absorption / s
• Distillation of Ethylene
Oxide (EO)
• Technologies and key
components for:
- Ethylene Glycols
- Ethanolamines For various reaction technologies
- Glycol Ethers cooperating with experienced
- Alkylethanolamines partners
Reactor
Ethylene
Upgrade with Mellapak and MellapakPlus
Oxygen
Gasload 100 % 100 % 137 %
EO production 100 % 100 % 185 %
EO in outlet gas 250 ppm 22 ppm 100 ppm
Pressure drop 170 mbar 52 mbar 73 mbar

35 MD trays 2x7m 2x7m

Mellapak MellapakPlus
M 250. Y M 252. Y
EO absorption /

2.0 vol % EO 2.0 vol % EO 2.7 vol % EO


 Process Features
• Continuous process
• Low by-product formation
• Flexible product ratio
• High yields on raw materials
• High recovery rates
After revamp • Low energy consumption
168 • Extremely low pressure drops
5.1 in the distillation section
• High product purity
0.3
• Joint developments
14.0

Ethanolamine production
Ammonia

H2O MEA DEA TEA

Reactor
stripping

Water Ethanolamine
separation

EO distillation Glycol production

H2O MEG DEG TEG

stripping

Reactor

Water separation Glycol separation


Synthesis Gas Application

COS - Conversion unit

Heater
30 oC 72 oC Reactor
1 to H2S removal unit COS converter
≤ 15 wt ppm COS H2S Hydrolysis
28 oC
COS + H2O = > H2S + CO2
Water
87 oC

Saturator
Cooler

2 ppmv H2S
147 oC 24 oC 32 bara

≈1400 wt
ppm COS

H2S -

≈ 90% CO2 - Slippage

200 ppmv H2S

Selective H2S Selective H2S

Absorber No 1 Absorber No 2

Synthesis gas 1

23 oC 30 oC
5 mol % CO2 4.5 mol % CO2
9600 ppmv H2S 600 ppmv H2S
32.5 bara
rich amine

Compact Column Size Selective absorption of H2S with MDEA Tray column
Sulzer packings permit high gas and 60 % CO2 slippage
liquid throughputs resulting in small Mellapak 2 Vol ppm H2S
column diameters (important factor 90 % CO2 slippage
for pressurized columns or when 2 Vol ppm H2S
upgrading existing columns). High Lean MDEA
separation efficiency also allows Lean MDEA
Diameter 700 mm Diameter 1100 mm
the use of short-height columns. Height ca 11 m Height ca 15 m
New columns incorporating these
L/G ca 0.15 Pressure: 56 bar L/G ca 0.15
features result in large savings, Gas temperature: 30-35 oC
both in weight, volume and in
investment costs. Natural gas
with H2S + CO2
The increased selectivity leads to a ca 1 Vol %
higher CO2-slippage in the treated
gas and to a lower CO2 content in Rich MDEA Natural gas
with H2S + CO2
the acid gas which leads to a higher ca 1 Vol %
capacity of the existing Claus plant
or to lower CAPEX in case of a new
plant. Rich MDEA


 Benefits for Conversion Units CO - Conversion unit
• Reduced steam requirements, ≥ 188 oC
less energy consumption Steam
200 oC
• Lower OPEX
• Pay back time approx. 1 year
Saturator Saturator
• Less fouling problems No 1 No 2

from H2S removal

p = 29.9 bara
82% wt CO 28 oC
CO + H2O = > CO2+ H2

≤ 70 oC Reactor
Converted gas CO converter
to CO2 amine unit: 65 oC

≤ 6 %wt CO
Removal unit ≥ 82 % wt CO2

Acid gas 110 oC

to Claus plant
(see also tail Cooler
gas treating
on next page)

212 oC ≈ 390 oC
Regenerator

Reboiler

lean amine

Solvent heat exchanger

Saturator No. 2 Diameter: 2.94 m

181 oC 188 oC

∆T ≥ 22 oC
∆T ≤ 12 oC

203 oC 200 oC

Pall ring 3" Mellapak

∆T ≥ 40 mbar
∆T ≤ 10 mbar

140 oC 134 oC

152 oC 146 oC
0698 2530-2


Tail Gas Treating

Com-
bustion
Acid gas

42 oC

H 2S Claus- SO2 Hydro- H 2S

plant genation

Quench column
Sulfur
200 oC

Selective H 2S Regenerator
absorption
p = 1 bar

Sourwater stripper

Low Pressure drop with High Selectivity

Mellapak
The higher selectivity of structu-
Means smaller blowers or compres- red packing over other compo-
sors power compared with trays nents results in the following ad-
and random packing, as well as vantages:
advantages for the upstream Claus • Reduction of CO2 concentration
process stages. in acid gas which leads to
• Reduction of pressure drop of
the Claus plant which leads to
• Increase of capacity of the
Claus plant
Quench for tail gas treating unit
Column diameter 6.1 m
Pressure Atmospheric
Gas flow rate 260,000 kg/h
Trays Random packing Mellapak
Pressure drop 70 25 9
(mbar)
Energy savings - 2.8 3.9
(milions kWh/year)
Cost reduction - 180,000 260,000
(US$/year)

10
Applications in Ammonia and Fertilizer Production

Condensate stripper
Exhaust gas

p = 2.5 bara
110 oC

Steam
128 oC

Feed 81 oC Pure condensate

NH3 1000 ppm NH3 < 1 ppm
Methanol 1400 ppm Methanol < 5 ppm
• Revamping of process
Original column Revamp condensate strippers (improving
Type of packing Pall ring 2" Mellapak of efficiency)
Flow (t/h) 65 - 75 65 - 75 • High pressure ammonia
absorbers
NH3 outlet (ppm) 10 - 30 <1
• Waste water strippers
Methanol outlet (ppm) 50 - 100 <5
• Ammonia strippers in
Reuse of condensate no yes
ammonium nitrate production

Formaldehyde Production
• Mellapak in the pump-around sections for Formaldehyde
the removal of the considerable amount of absorber Exhaust gas
absorption heat
• Trays or plastic gauze packing for top part
(final absorption with low water flow) Water

Further Process Technologies:

Katapak for Methanol separation from bottom
formaldehyde product
Katapak for production of acetals

Gas from reactor

HCHO ~ 7 %
0603 2501-4
HCHO 37-55 %
Katapak-SP® structured packing containing catalyst

11
Methanol

Applications
• Methanol splitters with fixed
valve trays
• Methanol absorption columns
with structured packing
• Gas saturators with random or
structured packing
0605 2506

Methanol distillation unit

Topping Light ends Pressure Refining

column column column

Fusel oil

Crude Pure Process

methanol methanol water

Design Conventional tray High performance tray

Column diameter 8’300 mm 7’300 mm
Number of trays 85 85
Methanol Tray spacing 650/700 mm 600/650 mm
Pressure drop 760 mbar 565 mbar
Valves movable MVG
Downcomer standard ModArc
Redirecting devices – Push valves

Feed
Benefits with Sulzer high performance VGPlus trays in methanol splitters:
• Reduced column diameter due to greater capacity, compared to sieve
or valve tray
• Great fouling resistance
• Minimize vapor cross-flow channeling by improved liquid flow and
Water vapor/liquid contacting through lateral vapor release

12
DMF / DMAc Recovery and Heat Pump / Heat Integration

Multi-effect distillation systems:

• Reduced energy consumption
due to high efficiency structured
packings
• Increase of capacity with
MellapakPlus
• Low consumption of cooling
water

0690 4504 0697 2501-1

Butene-1 plant with heat pump system DMAc recovery plant

Heat pump technology allows:

• 90% energy saving
• No steam consumption
• Higher cooling water
temperature
Light end
C.W

Feed
We deliver:
• Key-components such as
column internals, compressors
and heat exchangers
• Studies and basic engineering
for revamping existing units
• Basic engineering for new units
• Commissioning and start-up
Heavy end Product services

13
Treatment of Corrosive Products e.g. Cl2 and HCl

Production of chlorine gas Features of Corrosion

Inerts Resistant Packings
NaOH 20 %
• High efficiency even at low
Brine Electrolytic cells liquid loads
• High capacity
NaOH
NaCIO
Hypochlorite • Over 200 columns in operation
wet chlorine gas

Hypochlorite tower
dry chlorine gas

Make up
H2SO4

0682 2020

Drying towers Plastic gauze packing BX enabling low

Cooler
specific liquid loads due to good wetting
Condensate dilute H2SO4 properties

Use of Packing and Internals in a highly corrosive milieu, HCI - recovery from phosgenation
e.g. in chlorine and HCl-columns.
Sulzer Packings and Internals are available in the fol- Pressure: approx. 1 bara
lowing corrosion resistant materials: Inerts
Plastics: PP, PVDF, PVC-C, PFA, Halar, PEEK Reflux
Mellacarbon: Graphite
Make up water
Mellapak: High-alloy steels, Hastelloy, Nickel, 80 90 100 110 120
Temp. oC
0%
Tantal, Zirconium, Titanium etc. Typical packing
height: 6 - 7 m

Typical diameter
21 %
0.3 - 1.5 m

HCI - gas from 32 %

0697 2522-1 phosgenation
The Mellacarbon® 90 - 100 % wt % HCI
packing is a key
component in the HCl 30 - 32 % HCI
distillation column

Pressure: 2 - 6 bara HCI gas Pressure: 100 mbar

H2O

Waste acid

0698 2511

The pressure swing distillation system for

hydrochloric acid produces pure HCl gas
without any contamination through by-
products

14
Column Design and Process Simulation

Sulzer Chemtech is your ideal

partner for the design of your
separation columns. We are able
to assist you in the calculation of a
new column, or determine potential
advantages of a revamp for higher
capacity, higher purity or new
process conditions. The study is
carried out with modern simulation
tools based on data from our
laboratory, literature, databank and
field data.

The calculated number of theoreti-

cal stages will then be converted
into a packing height or number of
trays. In addition to Sulzer’s high
capacity trays, further capacity is
achievable through our alliance
with Shell Global Solutions. The
result of a study is of course not
only the number of trays but also
a design of column internals or
special recommendations for the
running of the plant.

Our main applications for which we
offer our advantages of a theore-
tical study, based on special know-
ledge from field experiences and
pilot tests, are as follows:
• Columns for Olefin Plants
• Recovery of Ethylene Oxide
• Columns for Ethylene Glycols,
Ethanolamines and Glycolethers
• Direct Heat Exchange
• Columns for DMF and DMAc
Recovery
• Waste Water Treatment
• Absorption of Formaldehyde
• Formaldehyde, Methanol,
Methylal Purification
• Recovery of HCl
• Removal of CO2 and H2S
Do not hesitate to ask for design
possibilities or for our Engineering
Services brochure. If there are no
data available for the design of the
column, we are also able to offer
experimental tests in our laboratory
or in cooperation with external con-
sultants and universities.

15
 Headquarters North and South America Asia Pacific
Sulzer Chemtech Ltd Sulzer Chemtech USA, Inc. Sulzer Chemtech Pte. Ltd.
P.O. Box 65 8505 E. North Belt Drive 10 Benoi Sector
8401 Winterthur, Switzerland Humble, TX 77396, USA Singapore 629845
Phone +41 52 262 50 28 Phone +1 281 441 5800 Phone +65 6515 5500
Fax +41 52 262 01 82 Fax +1 281 291 0207 Fax +65 6862 7563
chemtech@sulzer.com
www.sulzerchemtech.com

Sulzer Chemtech Ltd, a member of the Sulzer Corporation, with head-
quarters in Winterthur, Switzerland, is active in the field of process engi-
neering and employs some 2500 persons worldwide.
Sulzer Chemtech is represented in all important industrial countries and
sets standards in the field of mass transfer and static mixing with its
advanced and economical solutions.
The activity program comprises:
• Process components such as trays, structured and random pa-
ckings, internals for separation columns and reaction technology
• Engineering services for separation and reaction technology such
as optimizing energy consumption, plant optimization studies, pre-
engineering for governmental approval, basic engineering
• Separation and purification of organic chemicals by means of crys-
tallization and membranes
• Mixing and reaction technology with static mixers
• Mixing and Cartridges Technology
• Tower field services

Distributed by:

22.20.06.40 - VII.08 - 60 Printed in Switzerland

16