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 MARCH 29, 2011  BY JACK

Kettle Reboilers

Reboilers are sometimes inserted into the bottom of a tower. These

are called “stab-in” reboilers. It is not a terribly good idea, because it
makes it more dif�cult to �x a leaking or fouled reboiler without
opening the tower itself. However, the “kettle” reboiler, shown in Fig.
7.7, has essentially the same process performance characteristics as
the stab-in reboiler, but is entirely external to the tower.

Note that in a kettle reboiler the bottoms product level control valve
does not control the level in the tower; it controls the level on the
product side of the reboiler only. The liquid level on the boiling or
heat-exchanger side of the kettle is controlled by the internal
over�ow baf�e. But what controls the tower-bottom liquid level?

Privacy - Terms

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To answer this, let us see how such a gravity-fed or kettle reboiler

works:

1. Liquid �ows out of the tower into the bottom of the reboiler’s shell.
2. The liquid is partially vaporized.
3. The domed top section of the reboiler separates the vapor and the
liquid.
4. The vapor �ows back to the tower through the riser line. This is the
column’s stripping vapor or heat source.
5. The liquid over�ows the baf�e. The baf�e is set high enough to
keep the tubes submerged. This liquid is the bottoms product.

The liquid level in the bottom of the tower is the sum of the following
factors:

• The nozzle exit loss of the liquid leaving the bottom of the tower
• The liquid feed-line pressure drop
• The shell-side exchanger pressure drop, which includes the effect
of the baf�e height
• The vapor-line riser pressure drop, including the vapor outlet
nozzle loss

Note that it is the elevation, or the static head pressure, in the tower
that drives the kettle reboiler. That is why we call it a gravityfed
reboiler. Also, the pressure in the kettle will always be higher than
the pressure in the tower. This means that an increase in the reboiler
heat duty results in an increase of liquid level in the bottom of the
tower.

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Should the liquid level in the bottom of the tower rise to the reboiler
vapor return nozzle, the tower will certainly �ood, but the reboiler
heat duty will continue. Unfortunately, reboiler shellside fouling may
also lead to tray �ooding. This happens because the fouling can cause
a pressure-drop buildup on the shell side of the reboiler.

Remember, though, that the increased tower-bottom liquid level will

not be re�ected on the indicated bottom level seen in the control
room, which is actually the level at the end of the kettle reboiler. This
is a constant source of confusion to many operators who have towers
that �ood as a result of high liquid levels, yet their indicated liquid
level remains normal.

POSTED IN REBOILER • TAGGED KETTLE, REBOILERS

Published by Jack

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3 Replies to “Kettle Reboilers”

mohamed
March 5, 2019 at 12:55 am

Hi
could I ask you I have re-boiler the vapor line height temp
but i try to reduce the quantity of steam?

REPLY

Jon Cloy
April 8, 2022 at 7:50 pm

I am considering development of a non-intrusive

technology that would provide for detecting carryover
(or not) in the return line of a Kettle Reboiler. Please send
your opinion of the value this might provide an oil
re�nery…
Jon Cloy
713 582 2885

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cloyjk@aol.com

REPLY

Jon Cloy
April 15, 2022 at 8:53 pm

We’ve developed non-intrusive measurement

technology to control/prevent overcarry in Kettle
Reboilers. What value might this have for an oil re�nery?

REPLY

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