Regenerator tower

The catalyst acidity in the reactor can be maintained at any desired strength by regulation of the acid regeneration tower feed rate. For the production of aviation grade alkylate, the titratable acidity of the circulating acid is usually maintained in the range of 85 to 90% hydrofluoric acid. 

Separation equipment tends to have less flexible design limits and can be costly to modify. For example, the C02 absorber and solvent regenerator towers in a wet scrubbing unit are difficult to replace. Fortunately, it is often possible to make changes to tower internals, or to change the solvent composition, to provide more capacity86. 

Typically, an amine regenerator tower ought to be routinely acid washed (without opening) every few years. 

Another shortcoming of the process was the large amount of air required for solution regeneration. The plant is equipped with a Uill regenerating tower, and an air volume equal to about 15% of the gas volume treated is required for adequate regeneration. However, the most serious finding of this study came from a comparative cost analysis which indicated that, at the time of the study, the Autopurification process was not competitive with dry-box purification. 

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