Gamma Column Scanning

Online Gamma Scanning of Column

Auto-Column-Scanner is in use in the field

Malfunctioning distillation column can result in a large financial loss due to off-spec product, loss of production or unexpected shut down of the plant.

How to troubleshoot?

• Gamma - Ray Scanning is a most convenient, cost- effective, fast, efficient, and non-intrusive technique to examine inner details of a column, while it is in online operation.

Column scanning allows an engineer to study tray or packing hydraulics inside a column at any set of online condition. It provides essential data to optimise the performance of vessels, extend column run times, track the performance-deteriorating effects of fouling and solids deposition, and identify maintenance requirements well in advance of scheduled turnarounds.

This on-line knowledge can reduce repair downtime significantly. By analysing the scanning results, a number of common malfunctions in trayed or packed bed vessels can be determined.

Can be used to

• Assess hydraulic performance using relative density differences
• Debottleneck columns and units
• Monitor response to operating changes
• Pre-turnaround detection of tray and packing replacements
• Verify placement of trays, packed beds and distributors
• Evaluate the quality of liquid phase distribution
• Evaluate tray froth heights
• Detect mechanical, rate and process related problems
• Detect fouled or crushed packing, overflowing distributor and collector trays, flooding foaming or vapour induced maldistribution