Integrated Optimization of an Overhead Air-Cooled Heat Exchanger: A Case Study of Shiraz Refinery

In the present research the operation of an Air-Cooled heat exchanger is studied in an attempt to optimize its cooling ability. Water vapor from the overhead of a stripper in a sour water treating unit is condensed passing through the cooler and directed into a receiving drum from which a waste gas is vented off to the flare network. The significant deviation of cooler`s outlet temperature of 85 °C from the design 60 °C and the need to avoid water escape along with the waste gas which in turn results into corrosion issues, is met by an integrated computer simulation of the exchanger using HTRI v. 5.00 package. Later, considering certain operating constraints a modified air cooler is proposed which cools the overhead down to 64°C

Keywords:

Air Cooler , Overhead , Sour Water Treating Unit , Computer Simulation