STRIPPER LOW

EFFICIENCY
Contents
Introduction

Factors Affecting Stripper Efficiency

Operational Problem

Remedial Actions

Q & A Session
Introduction
Process

Operating Parameters

Technical Data
Process
Urea concentration from 32 % to 40.3%

Stripping of CO2 by Excess NH3

PROCESS
The effluent stream from the reactor enters the top section of
the stripper at a temperature of about 185C, for even
distribution of the solution and to make liquid film of uniform
thickness on the inner surface of the tubes. The solution
flows through the tubes of the falling film exchanger heated
by the 25 Kg/cm(g) saturated steam. CO 2 content is reduced
by the stripping action of NH 3 boiling out of the solution.
The temperature of the solution leaving the stripper is kept
between 205 C and 210 C by varying the steam pressure at
the stripper shell. At this temperature approximately 80% of

the carbamate present in the solution is decomposed .

OPERATIONAL DATA

Tube Side Operating Pressure = 142 kg / sq.cm

Tube Side Operating Temperature = 186 o C (top)
= 203o C (bottom)
Shell Side Operating Pressure = 25kg / sq.cm
Shell Side operating temperatures = 225o C

MATERIAL DATA :
Shell = Carbon steel with Titanium cladding 3mm (nom.)
Tubes = Titanium 3.5mm (nom.)
Tube sheet = Carbon steel with Titanium cladding 10mm
(nom.)
FACTORS AFFECTING STRIPPER
EFFICIENCY
MS Steam Parameters

Pressure

Temperature

Flow

High Inert in shell side

Condensate Accumulation at Shell Side

HP Loop High Pressure

Film Formation
Urea Stripper, e-101 Film

Ferrule

Adaptor

Tube
Solution Film Formation
High CO2 content in HP loop

Unnecessary opening of LRC-2V without solution from reactor

Maintaining very high pressure inside stripper

Interruption in the flow of liquid inside the stripper tubes.

Mechanical Problems

Ferrules / Adopters Dislodging

Heavy Tube Leakage

High Level of Stripper

More holding of process Liquid Over Ferrules due to partial

blockage of ferrule holes or high inlet flow

Urea Stripper, e-101 Film disturbance
Operational Problems
C-101 bottom high temperature which may cause P-

102 high current tripping

C-101 trays temperature control will be very difficult.
Chances of CO2 slippage will increase
E-107 frequent choking
E-108 frequent choking
MP loop pressure variation
Low ammonia in HP loop
REMIDIAL ACTIONS
As Film disturbance problem arises in start-up and

stripper low temperature make the plant operation very

difficult. We must take care of the following points.

Ammonia Flow to R-101 must be in excess

NH3/CO2 ratio must be more than 3.6 on DCS screen.

Make liquid flow inside the tubes by slow opening of

LRC-2V

Open LRC-2V in such a way do not revert LRC-2V

opening.

Avoid vapor flow through tubes.

Always open PRC-13V after LRC-2

 Q&A
THANKS