Project Synopsis
Develop a revised hydraulic simulation model and vent sizing for a vent system in support of detail engineering design.
Project Summary
PHASE 2 VENT GAS FLOW HYDRAULIC MODELING FOR A BORON SCRUBBER
Process Engineering Associates, LLC (PROCESS) was contracted by the client, a specialty chemicals and gases manufacturer, to model the hydraulics of the vent gas ducts from the production cabinets on a Boron Trifluoride and Boron Trichloride (BF3/BCl3 respectively) manufacturing process. Vent gas ducts are routed to either an exhaust fan or a scrubber unit. Normally, all vent gases are ducted to an induced-draft fan followed by an exhaust stack and emitted to ambient. If a chemical leak is detected, the vent gas stream (that portion corresponding to the leak) is routed to the caustic scrubber unit that removes BF3 and BCl3 from the vent gas. A separate induced-draft fan and emission stack is used for the scrubber system.
The work discussed in this document is a continuation of a previously-completed larger engineering effort where PROCESS performed process development and engineering on the Boron Scrubber referred to in the previous paragraph. This earlier effort included process engineering, vendor interface and bid evaluation, P&IDs, and HAZOP participation. The P&IDs of the process ductwork originally developed by PROCESS were then turned over to the client and used in their detailed design work.
The work performed in the effort documented here is purely a hydraulic gas-phase modeling task. The purpose of the modeling effort was to re-size a previously-developed ductwork configuration (completed in the earlier engineering phase by PROCESS) that conveys sweep air from production cabinets to the exhaust fan or scrubber. As the engineering is now in detailed design, the ductwork sizes generated by the modeling task will be used by a third-party mechanical design firm to develop mechanical drawings of the ductwork, enabling fabrication and construction.
The initial task in this phase of work was the development of a Design Basis. Once the Design Basis was agreed upon, a CHEMCAD model, previously developed in the earlier phase, was modified and updated for new vent gas flow rates and modifications in duct configuration. Results from the hydraulic model, primarily duct sizes and arrangement changes such as cabinet configurations, were red-lined onto the existing P&IDs provided by the client. The results were submitted to the client for their use.
Industry Type
- Specialty Gas Manufacturing
Utilized Skills
- Ventilation system hydraulic modeling and line sizing