Q & A > Question Details
What are the merits and demerits of re-using spent caustic from Meroxes back into crude at the upstream of CDU?
 
Answers
27/02/2009 A: keith bowers, B and B Consulting, kebowers47@gmail.com
THe sodium hydroxide has been partially utilized in the Merox unit by reacting with mercaptan sulfurs and hydroen sulfide. I am not disposed to putting these corrosion inducing materials in the crude unit. What little ph neutralizing effect is left in the spent caustic is of low value and easily replaced and low cost with fresh caustic or ammonia. Corrosion prevention is Crude Unit overhead systems is difficult enough without adding this bad actor.