We want to increase the capacity of the stripper in our hydrocarbon unit. There is an aerocondeser for the stream leaving the top of the column. We want to increase condensing capacity by means of a trim cooler that would be placed next to the condensers.
It will receive a total of 7,3 tones/h, 1,3 t/h vapour and 6 ton/h liquid.
I have simulated with ASPEN EDR the new trim-cooler that will operate with cooling water (tubeside).
To avoid revaporization downstream of the trim-cooler the liquid needs to be cooled down as well as the condensing vapour.
The software indicates that the required area for cooling the liquid is 45% of the total number of tubes.
I am specifying 30% cut baffles but doing a quick number tells me that liquid will just pass and there won't be any flooding.
Has anyone ever designed a trim-cooler? How do you accomplish the flooding of the heat exchanger?
There are several options, I find that the most suitables ones are:
1)A dam baffle that will flood the shell until the desired level.
2) A level control loop (level transmitter control valve)
We have other trim-cooler installed in other units, hydrocracker for example, but I have reviewed the trim-coolers drawings but there is not dam baffle or any level controlling loop.