DEDistillation of crude oil products
Distillation of basic products in the chemical industry
Typical of the processing facilities in the chemical industry are the distillation columns in which liquid media are decomposed into individual distillation products. Products with different boiling points are separated at temperatures up to over 400 °C. Beside temperature measurement, which serves as the most important control variable for regulating distillation, pressure monitoring in the column and level measurement in the extraction vessels for individual distillation products are also important.
VEGAFLEX 67 – level and interface measurement with one sensor
In the distillation column, it is not uncommon for water to appear, e.g. under solvents. It often accumulates in the lower area of the reference vessel and must be pumped out from time to time so that it doesn’t pollute the distillate. VEGAFLEX 67 is mounted on the existing reference vessel (bypass) without any alterations being necessary. The instrument continuously registers both the total level and the height of the water layer without the bypass having to be completely filled. The process temperature can be up to 400 °C and the pressure up to 400 bar. Neither lateral inlets, welded seams nor buildup or corrosion in the tube have any effect on the guided microwave measurement.
Column pressure with VEGABAR 51
An important value to monitor in the distillation process is the head pressure at the upper end of the column. Depending on the type of distillation, the systems operate under vacuum or extremely high pressures. The pressure transmitter VEGABAR 51 is particularly suited for this application – even extreme temperature fluctuations during the start-up phase in the column do not bother it. The sensor version with isolated diaphragm can even be implemented in temperatures up to 400 °C.
VEGAFLEX 66 – a real alternative to displacer measurement
Guided microwave technology is an interesting alternative to displacer systems in the reference vessels of distillation columns. The rod version of VEGAFLEX 66 forms together with the tube of the reference vessel an ideal signal guidance system. Its high functional reliability and availability encompasses everything from the actual detection of levels to the process fitting. The measurement is independent of temperature, pressure or density fluctuations of the measured medium. Deposits or welded seams on the wall of the reference vessel or buildup on the rod probe also do not influence the measurement. The process temperature can be up to 400 °C and the pressure up to 400 bar.
