Revamping distillation columns is crucial for achieving increased capacity, energy savings and extended cleaning intervals in fuel ethanol production.
Sulzer Chemtech offers state-of-the-art technologies and turnkey solutions for revamping existing beer columns, side strippers and rectifiers to meet the evolving needs of ethanol producers.
Beer columns, with their unique operating conditions and fouling challenges, require an individualized approach to revamping. Sulzer’s UFM™ AF trays cater to varying pressures, ranging from vacuum to atmospheric, and effectively address fluctuating fouling cases and feedstock changes, enabling ethanol producers to maintain competitiveness. By maximizing tray performance and accommodating changing conditions, Sulzer’s revamps ensure increased production capacity, energy savings and longer clean-in-place (CIP) intervals.
Sulzer offers a phased approach for beer column revamps, tailored to the specific requirements and characteristics of the existing configuration. The three phases include the replacement of tray decks only, with reuse of tray downcomers; replacement of tray decks and downcomers, with removable adapters considered and reconfiguration of trays with adjusted spacings based on hydraulic loads. This phased approach allows for flexibility and maximum production of existing columns.
Maximizing distillation ensures tailored column revamping
maximizing distillation ensures tailored column revamping
Efficient side strippers are essential for improving CIP intervals and reducing pressure drop. By implementing Sulzer’s robust configuration of UFM™ AF trays inside strippers, ethanol producers can achieve the required efficiency on operation and promote substantial energy savings across the entire plant.
Rectifiers play a vital role in increasing plant capacity and reducing pressure drop. Sulzer offers optimum configuration of MellapakPlus™ packing and UFM™ AF trays for these columns, allowing for higher throughput while minimizing pressure drop. By enhancing the performance of rectifiers, Sulzer’s revamps contribute to improved operating pressures in both beer columns and side strippers, resulting in enhanced overall efficiency and productivity.
Sulzer provides comprehensive turnkey solutions, encompassing engineering, manufacturing and field services for column revamps. These solutions are widely recognized for their effectiveness in maximizing column performance. Sulzer’s revamp processes typically eliminate the need for welding on column walls, ensuring a seamless and efficient installation of new equipment.
Revamping distillation columns is vital for ethanol producers seeking increased capacity, energy efficiency and extended CIP intervals. Sulzer’s state-of-the-art technologies and turnkey solutions offer tailored revamps, ensuring optimal performance and enhanced competitiveness in the fuel ethanol industry.
For more information, visit sulzer.com or call (281) 540-2555.
