emt Ray chShaEjector Systems are used to produce vacuum for vacuum distillation columns The process engineer typically has to troubleshoot them when they have problems These systems are often poorly understood This is intended as a very simplified introduction to ejector systems as commonly built for refining / chemical distillation columns ~ NOT as a rigorous treatment of the topic! opi ted Da tad veyaBe able to explain how a steam ejector works Be able to explain the interaction between successive ejector stages Be able to explain the function of remaining components of the ejector system: ™ Condensers = Seal Legs ® Seal Pot ™ Pressure Control = Motive Steam Quality AssuranceKnow the proper startup sequence for multiple ejector stages Be able to outline general troubleshooting stepsTrue or False: ® An ejector produces a discharge head according to its curve, similar to a centrifugal pump FALSE! = An ejector is responsible for its own discharge pressure FALSE! = When ejectors are in series, the downstream ejector is responsible for the upstream ejector’s discharge pressure TRUE! enc tal oh Sa veyarreTrue or False: ™ Existing pressure readings are pretty useful for ejector system troubleshooting FALSE! = When multiple ejectors are in series, the upstream units should be started first FALSE! ™ Backflow through ejectors is rare because it is prevented by a mechanical device FALSE!Ejector Schematic Motive Nozzle Dischi Motive Chest Cone: ‘Connection / Diffuser Ditfuser Throat ‘Suction Connection Motive | Discharge Pressure| Pressure Pressure Profile {y axis notto scale)3000-4000 fi/s Transition to subsonic across throat, boosts presen Motive: Steam Gas is entrained by the As the mixture passes through diffuser, high supersonic motive flow velocity is converted bck to pressure, = An ejector’s performance is defined by a suction pressure vs. process gas capacity — giction curve Pressure = This curve is determined by the ejector | dimensions, motive steam flowrate, process Capacity gas properties, etc itl ahsSuction Pressure Capacity m= The curve is only valid for discharge pressures below the maximum stable discharge pressure. = As long as discharge pressure is kept below max stable, the suction side of the ejector is completely unaffected by the discharge side!Motive Steam Process Gas Ejector performs on its suction pressure vs. capacity curve Because velocities are in excess of Mach 1, discharge pressure waves cannot transfer to the suction side! oe ey ah taMotive Steam Ejector performance hard to predict - off curve, may backfire, may completely backflow Typical ratio of max discharge pressure: suction pressure (often referred to as “compression ratio") is from 3:1 to 8:1 apt oS ro)FIRST-STAGE OF A S-STAGE CJECTOR ischarge Pressure Hasranrmam ume oe SUTTON PRESSURE Contig) opi Ryd ah al [EQUIVALENT HATER VAPOR LOAD @ 70 deg cL2r) Loads converted to either “Dry Air Equivalent” or “Steam Equivalent” to allow bench testingEjector / Condenser Motive Steam Vapor => (Noncondensibles + Steam) | Note that this vapor Process stream varies Vapor according to Condenser - condenses part ae of motive steam, and part pan Steam can be a large ot eroceee opera (Condensibies + portion of the pass- ree or Water) thru vapor loading to leaving, or to the next subsequent stages. ejector Needs careful simulation to avoid errors from stage to stage!|Motive Steam Process Vi biel 2 Stage must be designed Sea suction pressure — ‘1st Stage Ejector / Condenser ciently below 1" Stage Which ejector is max stable value to provide responsible” for this robust operation through pressure? load swings!!! jotive Steam Which ejector is 2nd Stage Ejector / Condenser “responsible” for this pressure? _. vapor Drain (Noncondensibles + (Condensibies + Steam) Water) Which ejector is “responsible” for this Drain Pressure? (Condensibles + Water) 4steam eddition! Seal legs. te higher and lower seat wos pressure or condensers. This 9" causes need for Pressure steady (NOT throtled), dry, clean. Proper startup sequence vent Nencondensibies Seal pot must hold ‘enough fluid to fill the seal legs. Also provides oil/water separation.Get help from someone experienced! Ejector system troubleshooting can be humbling! Get curves and datasheets and conduct an accurate pressure and temperature survey around every element. Existing pressure readings should never be trusted. Use an electronic vacuum gauge designed for ultra high accuracy, manometer, etc. Check process data for changes in flows etc. Sample vent gas and light oil, and check levels in seal potCommon problems: m 2rd stage gets overloaded, causing discharge pressure on 1* stage to exceed max stable. Vacuum then breaks to 2% stage suction level. The above can also happen on the 3% or 4 stage = Condenser fouling Excess light material (non-condensible gas or light oil) 1 Plugged or eroded motive steam nozzles m Air leaksTAGE OF A S-STAGE EJECTOR San Storey taba Peasy is.» et ‘Bo sa ten ge i i i i : j pL ay EQUIVALENT HATER VAPOR LOAD @ 70 degh tL2-4R) Crh Ryal acSa warenEQUIVALENT AIR LO4D & 70 dag CLR-AR opt Ro ith et waneWorkgroup Exercise: You are asked to assist in the troubleshooting of a three stage ejector system. The column is normally able to operate at 39 mmHg at the first stage suction. From a field survey, you are able to obtain @ pressure profile, as shown to the left. Working with the ejector curves above, what stage is most likely the source of the poor vacuum performance? emi tp ahha / 11S fiecor {gp oe pee PRAARY CONDENSER rm se | ae | Pevinm ence sey zed St Ecees eG ly oven relsiten | | onpamens seas ert Gar ge aMusceDStart at the 3+ stage and work backwards: Third Stage: Discharge of 15.2 psia is below max stable discharge pressure. Second Stage: 24 stage discharge is 330 mmHg. This is comfortably below the max stable discharge of 388 mmHg. Motive steam pressure of 195 psig is OK. First Stage: 1* stage discharge pressure is 220 mmHg, well above max stable discharge pressure of 178 mmHg Conclusion: A low Cooling Water DT on the first stage condenser (6°F, as compared to 23 and 22°F AT's on the 24 and third stage condensers) suggests low condensing duty, which appears to be sending an increased load to the second stage. As a result the second stage cannot pull vacuum deep enough to have a stable operational first stage. In addition, the first stage motive steam is below the minimum recommended pressure. 21R. K. (Keith) Whitt 22