Sources and Effects of Water Problems

Water can cause severe operational problems in services which are not meant to handle it. One refiner (296) stated that 99 percent of his fractionator upsets are due to water other refiners (296) agreed with this evaluation. Most problems occur when the column separates water-insoluble materials such as hydrocarbons. The main adverse effects of water in such services are pressure surges, flooding, cycling, corrosion, hydrates, and off-spec products. Typical sources of water in this t5q e of services are 

The feed stream. Water may be present in the feed storage tank, may enter the feed from a leaking heat exchanger, or may not be entirely removed in an upstream removal facility. 

Chemical reaction. A condensation reaction forming water may occur between organic chemicals, either in upstream equipment or in the column. 

A prestartup wash, leak-test, or steam-water operation. 

Condensate formed in previous operations. It could have remained trapped in pipelines or pockets inside the equipment. 

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