Continuous improvement of high pressure stripper design
Stamicarbon has developed an improved HP Stripper design triggered by a higher than normal passive corrosion rate of heat exchanger (HEX) tubes in large HP Strippers (>2700 MTPD); and by the absence of iron oxide deposits in the HEX-tubes located in the center of the tube-sheet.
Topic
Along with the industrial trend of economy of scale, larger capacity high pressure (HP) strippers for urea production have been demanded over time. Accordingly, an improved design that respond to these specific needs has been identified by Stamicarbon: triggered by a higher than normal passive corrosion rate of heat exchanger (HEX) tubes in large HP Strippers (>2700 MTPD), and by the absence of iron oxide deposits in the HEX-tubes located in the center of the tube-sheet, an extensive study was undertaken to analyze its root cause leading to an optimized design which is IP protected and forms part of our standards. After analyzing our worldwide largest capacity HP Strippers in operation, it has been concluded that condensate accumulation on traditional baffles shall be avoided by means of homogenously distributed free drain area tube supports, such as a grids, sufficiently rigid to avoid vibration and buckling.
By applying this optimized design, the passive corrosion rate of Safurex® HEX tubes of larger capacity HP Strippers will be normalized again and will consequently lead to a comparable lifetime to the smaller capacity HP Strippers. An additional learning point was that the increased peripheral passive corrosion rate was not related to the material but rather to equipment design. In conclusion, upscaling the design of HP Strippers for urea production is definitely not straightforward and it is strongly recommended to consult an experienced and reputable licensor for equipment design and supply such as Stamicarbon.
About Juan Coloma
Mr. Juan Coloma obtained a MSc. in Chemical Engineering in 2006 from the University of Oviedo (Spain), and a Professional Doctorate in Engineering (PDEng.) in Process & Product Design in 2010 from the Technical University of Eindhoven (Netherlands).
He started his career in 2006 in MIRAPLAS as Process Engineer in the manufacturing of pressurized fiber glass reinforced vessels. In 2007 he joined AIMPLAS (Spanish Technological Institute of Plastics) where he focused on investigations aiming to improve several composite processes and products, such as carbon fiber based materials for the aerospace industry. Between 2011 and 2014 he worked for DSM Ahead as Process Development Engineer, where he contributed to the development of innovative processes routes in pilot-plant size, summarizing the findings in an up-scaled Process Design Package (PDP).
In 2014 he joined Stamicarbon as R&D Engineer and led several R&D projects via the Innovation Pipeline (IPL) stage-gate process. In his current role as Product Development Manager he is responsible since 2017 of the technical definition, monitoring and execution of incremental innovation programs.
About Eelco Mostert
Mr. Eelco Mostert studied Chemical Engineering and graduated in 2007 at the Hogeschool Zuyd, the Netherlands.
He started his career in 1986 as Process Operator at the caprolactam plant of DSM in the Netherlands. From 2000 to 2005 Mr. Mostert joined the plant staff department of the caprolactam plant.
After 20 years of operational/plant staff experiences in several processes he joined Stamicarbon in 2005 as a Process Engineer within the Urea Technology Department, delivering services with respect to design and engineering of urea plants.
Until 2014 he was involved in many start-ups, training and commissioning of urea plants worldwide.
From January 2015 he joined the Licensing, Sales & Services Department within Stamicarbon as a Process Services & Solutions Manager. In this role he was responsible for the after sales market initially in the Middle East and the last two years in North America. Since the 1st of January he joined the Evolve department as Licensing Manager being part of a team responsible for revamps worldwide.
