Observed problem | Problem source | Corrective measure | |||
1. | High pressure drop across process side of condenser | 1a. | Shellside or tubeside fouling | 1a. | Clean inside or outside surface of tubes |
1b. | Cooling water temperature higher than design | 1b. | Reduce cooling water temperature or increase flow rate | ||
1c. | Low cooling water flow rate | 1c. | Increase cooling water flow rate | ||
1d. | Higher than design condensible organics/hydrocarbon loading |
1d. | Reduce organic/hydrocarbon loading or install larger condenser | ||
2. | High cooling water pressure drop | 2a. | Waterside fouling or blockage | 2a. | Clean tubing |
2b. | Higher than design cooling water flow rate |
2b. | Not a problem | ||
3. | Higher than design cooling water temperature rise | 3a. | Low cooling water flow rate | 3a. | Increase cooling water flow rate |
3b. | Higher than design condensible vapor loading | 3b. | Increase cooling water flow rate or install larger condenser |
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4. | High vapor outlet temperature | 4. | Poor vacuum system performance | 4a. | Clean tubing because it is fouled |
4b. | Cooling water flow is increased or inlet temperature is reduced | ||||
Condenser internals have a mechanical problem that requires repair | |||||
4d. | There is a problem with a downstream ejector and it is backstreaming |