Abstract: Shell-and-tube devices typically require regular maintenance. Described herein is an automated method for tracking the status of individual tubes during maintenance activities and recording status data for review and analysis. Status data may optionally be reported in real-time summary format and/or used to predict time-to-completion. The method helps to reduce the expense of performing maintenance activities in shell-and-tube devices, including shell-and-tube reactors and heat exchangers.

Abstract: A method for uniformly distributing a process liquid within a process vessel includes providing a process liquid to a fouling-resistant liquid distributor installed within a process vessel having a cross-sectional area; causing rotational movement of the fouling-resistant liquid distributor; uniformly distributing the process liquid over the cross-sectional area within the process vessel; and simultaneously self-rinsing the fouling-resistant liquid distributor with a portion of the process liquid during uniform distribution. A system is also disclosed which includes a supply of process fluid, a stationary conduit and a liquid distribution head attached to the conduit. The liquid distribution head is motive, powered by a fluid, and includes at least one process liquid delivery port. The at least one process liquid delivery port is configured to provide a +10° or greater angle of liquid coverage when the liquid distribution head is moving.

Abstract: A method for uniformly distributing a process liquid within a process vessel includes providing a process liquid to a fouling-resistant liquid distributor installed within a process vessel having a cross-sectional area; causing rotational movement of the fouling-resistant liquid distributor; uniformly distributing the process liquid over the cross-sectional area within the process vessel; and simultaneously self-rinsing the fouling-resistant liquid distributor with a portion of the process liquid during uniform distribution. A system is also disclosed which includes a supply of process fluid, a stationary conduit and a liquid distribution head attached to the conduit. The liquid distribution head is motive, powered by a fluid, and includes at least one process liquid delivery port. The at least one process liquid delivery port is configured to provide a +10° or greater angle of liquid coverage when the liquid distribution head is moving.

Abstract: A method for uniformly distributing a process liquid within a process vessel includes providing a process liquid to a fouling-resistant liquid distributor installed within a process vessel having a cross-sectional area; causing rotational movement of the fouling-resistant liquid distributor; uniformly distributing the process liquid over the cross-sectional area within the process vessel; and simultaneously self-rinsing the fouling-resistant liquid distributor with a portion of the process liquid during uniform distribution. A system is also disclosed which includes a supply of process fluid, a stationary conduit and a liquid distribution head attached to the conduit. The liquid distribution head is motive, powered by a fluid, and includes at least one process liquid delivery port. The at least one process liquid delivery port is configured to provide a +10° or greater angle of liquid coverage when the liquid distribution head is moving.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a single shell open interstage reactor (“SSOI”). The SSOI comprises a first reaction stage, an interstage heat exchanger, an open interstage region, and a second reaction stage. The SSOI may be configured for upflow or downflow operation. Further, the open interstage region of the SSOI may comprise a supplemental oxidant feed. When the open interstage region comprises a supplemental oxidant feed, the SSOI may further comprise a supplemental oxidant mixing assembly. Processes for producing acrylic acid through the oxidation of propylene are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a single shell open interstage reactor (“SSOI”). The SSOI comprises a first reaction stage, an interstage heat exchanger, an open interstage region, and a second reaction stage. The SSOI may be configured for upflow or downflow operation. Further, the open interstage region of the SSOI may comprise a supplemental oxidant feed. When the open interstage region comprises a supplemental oxidant feed, the SSOI may further comprise a supplemental oxidant mixing assembly. Processes for producing acrylic acid through the oxidation of propylene are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a single shell open interstage reactor (“SSOI”). The SSOI comprises a first reaction stage, an interstage heat exchanger, an open interstage region, and a second reaction stage. The SSOI may be configured for upflow or downflow operation. Further, the open interstage region of the SSOI may comprise a supplemental oxidant feed. When the open interstage region comprises a supplemental oxidant feed, the SSOI may further comprise a supplemental oxidant mixing assembly. Processes for producing acrylic acid through the oxidation of propylene are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for recovering (meth)acrylic acid includes distilling a mixture comprising (meth)acrylic acid in a finishing column at less than atmospheric pressure to produce a finishing column overhead stream and a finishing column bottoms stream. An overhead aspirating direct contact condenser system at least partially condenses the finishing column overhead stream to form a finishing column overhead condensate and an overhead non-condensables vent stream. A finishing column vapor-phase side draw may also be recovered. An aspirating direct contact condenser system may be used to at least partially condense the vapor-phase side draw.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a single shell open interstage reactor (“SSOI”). The SSOI comprises a first reaction stage, an interstage heat exchanger, an open interstage region, and a second reaction stage. The SSOI may be configured for upflow or downflow operation. Further, the open interstage region of the SSOI may comprise a supplemental oxidant feed. When the open interstage region comprises a supplemental oxidant feed, the SSOI may further comprise a supplemental oxidant mixing assembly. Processes for producing acrylic acid through the oxidation of propylene are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a single shell open interstage reactor (“SSOI”). The SSOI comprises a first reaction stage, an interstage heat exchanger, an open interstage region, and a second reaction stage. The SSOI may be configured for upflow or downflow operation. Further, the open interstage region of the SSOI may comprise a supplemental oxidant feed. When the open interstage region comprises a supplemental oxidant feed, the SSOI may further comprise a supplemental oxidant mixing assembly. Processes for producing acrylic acid through the oxidation of propylene are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for recovering (meth)acrylic acid includes distilling a mixture comprising (meth)acrylic acid in a finishing column at less than atmospheric pressure to produce a finishing column overhead stream and a finishing column bottoms stream. An overhead aspirating direct contact condenser system at least partially condenses the finishing column overhead stream to form a finishing column overhead condensate and an overhead non-condensables vent stream. A finishing column vapor-phase side draw may also be recovered. An aspirating direct contact condenser system may be used to at least partially condense the vapor-phase side draw.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a single shell open interstage reactor (“SSOI”). The SSOI comprises a first reaction stage, an interstage heat exchanger, an open interstage region, and a second reaction stage. The SSOI may be configured for upflow or downflow operation. Further, the open interstage region of the SSOI may comprise a supplemental oxidant feed. When the open interstage region comprises a supplemental oxidant feed, the SSOI may further comprise a supplemental oxidant mixing assembly. Processes for producing acrylic acid through the oxidation of propylene are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a single shell open interstage reactor (“SSOI”). The SSOI comprises a first reaction stage, an interstage heat exchanger, an open interstage region, and a second reaction stage. The SSOI may be configured for upflow or downflow operation. Further, the open interstage region of the SSOI may comprise a supplemental oxidant feed. When the open interstage region comprises a supplemental oxidant feed, the SSOI may further comprise a supplemental oxidant mixing assembly. Processes for producing acrylic acid through the oxidation of propylene are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for uniformly distributing a process liquid within a process vessel includes providing a process liquid to a fouling-resistant liquid distributor installed within a process vessel having a cross-sectional area; causing rotational movement of the fouling-resistant liquid distributor; uniformly distributing the process liquid over the cross-sectional area within the process vessel; and simultaneously self-rinsing the fouling-resistant liquid distributor with a portion of the process liquid during uniform distribution. A system is also disclosed which includes a supply of process fluid, a stationary conduit and a liquid distribution head attached to the conduit. The liquid distribution head is motive, powered by a fluid, and includes at least one process liquid delivery port. The at least one process liquid delivery port is configured to provide a +10° or greater angle of liquid coverage when the liquid distribution head is moving.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing accumulation of solid materials when manufacturing a (meth)acrylic acid ester having low biacetyl content (less than 2 ppm) by adding an aromatic diamine under conditions which provide sufficient residence time and thorough mixing to react up to 100% by weight of the biacetyl in the crude (meth)acrylic acid ester stream, prior to separation and purification. A feedback method is also provided for reducing solids accumulation in the separation and purification equipment of such processes by measuring the biacetyl content and adjusting the aromatic diamine addition rate so that excess aromatic diamine can be minimized. A third embodiment provides a method for reversing an accumulation of solid materials during such processes, while still producing a (meth)acrylic acid ester having low biacetyl content (less than 2 ppm), by reducing or ceasing the addition rate of aromatic diamine for a period of time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a single shell open interstage reactor (“SSOI”). The SSOI comprises a first reaction stage, an interstage heat exchanger, an open interstage region, and a second reaction stage. The SSOI may be configured for upflow or downflow operation. Further, the open interstage region of the SSOI may comprise a supplemental oxidant feed. When the open interstage region comprises a supplemental oxidant feed, the SSOI may further comprise a supplemental oxidant mixing assembly. Processes for producing acrylic acid through the oxidation of propylene are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for attenuating deflagration pressure produced by combustion of combustible gas in a defined region of a process vessel. The method generally comprises selecting and placing attenuating material in the defined region of the process vessel, wherein the selected attenuating material maintains its physical shape under the operating conditions. The attenuating material should occupy at least 20% of the volume of the defined region of the process vessel. Use of the inventive method may be beneficially applied for the safe operation of oxidation reactors with flammable, high hydrocarbon concentration feeds in order to attain increased productivity.

Abstract: A method for attenuating deflagration pressure produced by combustion of combustible gas in a defined region of a process vessel. The method generally comprises selecting and placing attenuating material in the defined region of the process vessel, wherein the selected attenuating material maintains its physical shape under the operating conditions. The attenuating material should occupy at least 20% of the volume of the defined region of the process vessel. Use of the inventive method may be beneficially applied for the safe operation of oxidation reactors with flammable, high hydrocarbon concentration feeds in order to attain increased productivity.