Process Measurement & Control Solutions

NOTE 9: CAUSTIC WASH SYSTEMS

The Problem
Caustic Carryover in Hydrocarbon Stream from Caustic Settler or Disulfide Separator (Figure 1)
By contacting hydrocarbon with mercaptan rich caustic, a very stable emulsion may form in the UOP Merox process. This
causes significant quantities of caustic to carry over with the product. Knock-out drums, packed vessels, sand filters, or other
conventional coalescers cannot separate these liquid/liquid dispersions. This results in off-specification product due to haze
or sodium concentration, in addition to loss of caustic solution. The sodium in the off-specification product may be a catalyst
poison to downstream processes.

The Solution
The Agar Interface Detector (ID-201) is used to control the caustic level and therefore the hydrocarbon level for either the
settler or caustic-disulfide separator. This probe prevents undercarry in both applications. A second probe is used in both the
Caustic Settler and Caustic-Disulfide applications to control the emulsion level and prevent carryover.

Figure 1
UOP Merox TM
Process for Mercaptan
Extraction

APPLICATION NOTE 9
All Agar Corporation Instruments are covered by one or more of the following U.S. Patents: 4,503,383; 4,774,680; 5,099,697; 5,101,163; 5,101,367; 5,263,363;
5,503,004; 5,551,305; 5,589,642; 5,741,977, RE 36,597. Other patents pending in the USA and other countries.
 APPLICATION NOTE 9 - Caustic Wash Systems

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ER No. 5024; SL0019 Rev -