Separator boots

CHALLENGES

Ineffective boot interface measurement

Issues can range from reduced productivity and process efficiency to catastrophic failures in downstream equipment
There are a variety of vessels that have these separators including alkylation units, hydrotreaters, cokers and amine units

WATER CARRYOVER
If water enters distillation columns or other high-temperature units, then it will rapidly flash due to thermal expansion
May cause excessive vibration and damage to trays or other parts of the distillation column
Costs can reach $550K USD per hour to have a distillation column down (based on the size of the refinery)
May require days to bring it back up depending on damage

HF ACID CARRYOVER
If HF acid proceeds downstream it can corrode stainless steel piping, valves, fittings and instrumentation

HYDROCARBON EXTRACTION
If hydrocarbon process liquids exit the boot it will diminish efficiency of the water treatment processes
Hydrocarbons may plug screens or filters downstream

SOLUTION

Magnetrol® level devices allow for tighter control of the interface to increase productivity and prevent failures of downstream equipment

Aurora® design is compact; great for limited space and process connections around boots
Redundant options include MLI with GWR (Aurora®) or external addition of magnetostrictive for thicker emulsions
MLI provides advantages over sight glasses for manual inspection during walk-through
No dead zones (or blind spots) for shorter level spans

RESULTS

Better level measurement in boots for more effective separation

Safeguards against considerable costs due to failures in downstream equipment
Enhances the safety of the refinery by mitigating potential catastrophic failures
Reduces maintenance due to reliable signal and enhanced diagnostics

Related products

Orion Instruments

Aurora® magnetic level indicator

The Aurora® combines the operating system of a conventional float-based magnetic level indicator (MLI) with the leading-edge Eclipse® guided wave radar transmitter developed for level measurement applications. The result is true level-measurement redundancy in a single-chamber design.

Using a 3" or 4" chamber to house both the Eclipse probe and the MLI float, these devices operate seamlessly to provide continuous electronic guided wave radar measurement and visual indication. There are six basic configuration styles and more than 15 material selections for the Aurora magnetic level indicator.

For the first time ever, the ability to accurately and repeatedly measure ultra low dielectric media, high temperature/high pressure process conditions, and media with shifting and changing dielectric values can be accomplished with Aurora.

Orion Instruments

Jupiter® JM4 magnetostrictive level transmitter

The Jupiter^® JM4 liquid level transmitter is a loop-powered 24 VDC liquid-level transmitter and is available as a direct insertion transmitter or as an external mounted transmitter onto a Magnetic Level Indicator. It relies on the position of a magnetic float which is designed precisely for the liquid to be measured. This high-accuracy device can be designed for liquid level and/or liquid-liquid interface measurement.

The high safety level of JUPITER is demonstrated by a Safe Failure Fraction > 90 %

Magnetrol

Eclipse® 706 guided wave radar transmitter

The Eclipse^® Model 706 high performance transmitter is a loop-powered, 24 VDC level transmitter that is based upon the proven technology of guided wave radar (GWR). Encompassing a number of significant engineering accomplishments, this leading-edge level transmitter is designed to provide measurement performance well beyond that of many of the more traditional technologies.

Utlilizing "diode switching" technology, along with the most comprehensive probe offering on the market, this single transmitter can be used in a wide variety of applications ranging from very light hydrocarbons to water-based media.

The innovative angled, dual compartment enclosure is now a common sight in the industry. This enclosure, first brought to the industry by Magnetrol^® in 1998, is angled to maximize ease of wiring, configuration, and viewing of the versatile graphic LCD display.

One universal ECLIPSE Model 706 transmitter can be used and interchanged with all probe types, and offers enhanced reliability as it is suitable for use in critical SIL 2/3 Certified safety loops.

The ECLIPSE Model 706 transmitter supports both the FDT/DTM and enhanced DD standards, which allows viewing of valuable configuration and diagnostic information such as the echo curve in tools such as PACTware^™, AMS Device Manager, and various HART® Field Communicators.

Magnetrol

Genesis^™ Models ED1 & ED2 Multiphase Detectors

The Genesis^™ Models ED1 & ED2 detectors are Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)-based, 24 VDC level detectors designed to accurately measure the various layers in interface level measurement applications. Encompassing a number of significant engineering accomplishments, these leading-edge level detectors are designed to provide measurement performance well beyond that of many of the more traditional technologies.

Genesis models are designed to measure multiple phases in applications with thick and dynamic emulsion layers:

Vapor phase (based on tank dimensions)

Total level (e.g., hydrocarbon liquid)

Top of emulsion layer

Bottom of emulsion layer (e.g., water level)

Sediment