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Disposal 8
In addition, this document is intended for trained workers and assumes a full
understanding of how to safely and lawfully perform the tasks referenced
herein. Persons should not rely on this information as a substitute for
professional training or for practices and procedures designed to ensure
compliance with all applicable legal, industry and other requirements. This
material does not constitute a warranty, express or implied, of results in any
specific application or fitness for a particular purpose, and it does not create
or modify any agreement with UOP.
The nature of adsorbents and their operations
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mechanical means such as fork lift • Removing hazardous materials from • Having notification and response
trucks equipped with drum rim or the vessel prior to entry. procedures in place for emergency
body clamps. Take care when moving situations such as injury or loss of
• Isolating the confined space from
adsorbent containers. Proper lifting consciousness to personnel within
sources of hazardous materials or
techniques and equipment should be the confined space.
energy by installing blind flanges to
used. Full drums can weigh more than
inlet and outlet nozzles and decou- • Equipping personnel entering the
350 pounds and full bags more than
pling pumps and instrumentation. vessel with the appropriate safety
2,100 pounds.
equipment, which may include the
• Providing adequate ventilation to
use of safety harnesses and/or
Drums are shipped under a slight prevent accumulation of flammable
self-contained breathing apparatus.
vacuum to ensure product integrity, materials, combustible dusts, toxic
so it is important that drum seals are contaminants or an environment that • Training personnel authorized to
maintained prior to use. Drum lid is oxygen deficient or excessive. work as safety attendants, rescue
bands and vent screws should remain personnel or persons entering the
• Testing for oxygen, flammable gas,
tight when stored or moved and confined space.
and suspected toxic materials prior
drums should not be handled in a
to entering the vessel. • Conducting pre-job discussions
manner that could puncture or dent
with personnel involved with the
the containers. The vent screw on the • Using safety attendants outside the
work about the potential hazards
lid should only be loosened immedi- vessel to monitor and communicate
of the confined space work.
ately prior to loading the adsorbent with personnel in the confined space.
into the vessel.
2
Loading • Isolating the area under the lifting The ideal way to load ADS-120 or
Minimize exposure of the adsorbent path using ropes or signs and ADS-130 adsorbent to obtain these
to moisture by loading in dry weather keeping personnel clear of the area. conditions is at such a rate and in
and not leaving open containers such a manner that the adsorbent
• If pneumatic trucks are used to
exposed to the atmosphere. beads fall uniformly over the surface of
transfer adsorbent into the vessel
the adsorber bed, and that each bead
through a hose, keeping the hose
If flammable vapors such as settles into place before another bead
outlet pointed away from personnel.
hydrocarbons are present in the falls on it. This provides a uniform,
loading area, grounding is especially • Making sure that the transfer and maximum packed density and
important to avoid discharge of the receiving systems are electrically pre¬vents settling of the adsorbent bed.
static electricity that could cause an grounded to help dissipate any static
explosion or fire. Even conductive charge, since static electricity can Prior to placing the loaded vessel into
footwear and conductive walking build up during transfer operations. service, flush air from the vessel with
surfaces may not prevent electrostatic high purity nitrogen (minimum 99.9%)
• Using tag lines on loads that must
buildup on the human body. As one and leak test the flanges opened
be guided into position or where
example, removal of outer garments during the loading procedure.
load movement can be potentially
in low humidity conditions can hazardous.
generate sparks. Before introducing any hydrocarbon
• Opening the vent screw on the stream into the adsorbent bed,
Take care when moving adsorbent drum lid before removing the drum displace the air using a high purity
containers. Proper lifting techniques lid band just prior to loading the nitrogen purge. Since a rate that will
and equipment must be used, since adsorbent into the vessel. ensure good nitrogen distribution in
containers must normally be lifted to the vessel is seldom available, use
the top of the vessel using hoists or General loading instructions alternate purging with number of
cranes. Proper lifting techniques must pressurization and depressurization
The objectives of the loading
be performed in accordance with steps in the downflow direction to
operation are to:
government regulations and/or other enhance air removal. Continue the
precautions and practices including, process until less than 0.5% oxygen is
• Obtain a uniform, maximum
without limitation, the following: present in the outlet. At the end of the
packed density
purge, leave a nitrogen blanket on the
• Minimize settling and migration adsorbent vessels until startup.
• Conducting a visual inspection and
of adsorbent
functional check of hoisting and
lifting equipment prior to its use to • Keep adsorbent bed layers level,
identify any defects. not cone shaped
• Keeping loads within the load limits • Obtain uniform gas flow through
of the lifting equipment. each adsorber by loading all
adsorbers in the same way.
• Training operators in proper
operating and inspecting procedures.
3
Start-up and operation of adsorption systems
For gas phase systems, increase For liquid systems, increase to filled, close the flare line and bypass
pressure slowly down flow with feed operating pressure by slowly introducing line (if used) and open the feed line.
(less than 50 psi/minute) to operating feed at ambient temperature into the Use a bypass line if available or crack
pressure by cracking open the inlet bottom of the vessel at less than 25 open the outlet line to increase pressure
(top) valve or small pressure change psi/minute by cracking open an inlet in the downstream system. Once the
bypass valve. When the vessel is at or bypass valve. When the vessel is at outlet system is pressured up, open
feed pressure, open the inlet valve fully feed pressure, open the inlet or bypass the outlet line, close the bypass line
and crack open the outlet (bottom) valve fully then slowly open the flare (if used) and establish normal flow.
valve to slowly increase pressure line valve to start filling the vessel up
downstream. For ADS-120/ ADS-130 flow. Open the flare line valve so that * Note: In the unlikely event that
adsorbent, if the feed gas tempera- the rate of filling is about 50% of the the outlet temperature increases
ture is higher than 50°C AND the design feed rate. Typically a sight to more than 100°C during filling,
hydrogen level in the process gas is glass at the top of the vessel is used immediately stop the flow, drain
expected to be above approximately to determine when the vessel is full. the vessel and purge with high
10 vol%, special start-up procedures Do not allow the liquid to enter the purity nitrogen to flare. Contact
may be necessary to minimize the flare line. Some temperature rise* is your UOP representative for
impact of an exothermic reaction expected due to adsorption of the assistance.
that may occur. Contact your UOP carrier stream. Once the vessel is
representative immediately to
determine if special procedures
need to be followed. Once the
downstream is pressured up, establish
flow at near design rates through the
vessel by opening fully the outlet valve.
4
Preparing spent ADS-120/ADS-130 adsorbent for unloading
Read and understand this To help minimize the presence and 4. Vent purging gas to flare to destroy
reaction of these other trace contami- hazardous compounds.
section thoroughly before nants, it is essential that certain
5. Note that the amount of available
opening a used adsorbent precautionary practices be employed
nitrogen is typically inadequate to
prior to and during unloading the
system to the atmosphere. provide the gas at velocities needed
adsorbent from the vessel. Importantly,
for effective flow distribution within
the bed must be completely purged
the adsorbent bed. To improve the
with high purity nitrogen prior to
effectiveness of the nitrogen purge
unloading to remove trace contaminants
step the following is recommended:
and create an inert atmosphere free
of oxygen and water. An inert • Repetitive pressuring and depres-
atmosphere must also be maintained suring of the bed with nitrogen can
during unloading operations to improve the effectiveness of the purge
ensure that any remaining trace step. It is best to pressure up and
contaminants do not become depressurize down flow through
displaced or react with oxygen and the bed to avoid lifting the UOP
moisture contained in ambient air to adsorbent and/or support balls. If
create a hazardous atmosphere. downward flow is not possible for
the purge step, contact your UOP
When used as intended, ADS-120/ General purging instructions representative for specific
ADS-130 adsorbents react with sulfur to prepare the adsorbent bed
recommendations.
for unloading
compounds contained in the process
1. Isolate the vessel containing UOP • Continue to pressure and
stream to form copper oxides and
adsorbent and drain any liquids and depressurize the vessel to flare
sulfides. These compounds are
depressurize it. with nitrogen until the outlet mixture
generally stable under ambient
contains less than 10% of the lower
condi¬tions as long as they are not 2. Install blind flanges on all inlet and
explosive limit (LEL) for any flamma-
exposed to oxygen, and a high purity outlet lines except the flare line.
bles and no toxic compounds. The
(minimum 99.9%) nitrogen purge (with Connect a nitrogen source at the
LEL in air of several common fluids
less than 100 ppm(m) oxygen) must opposite end of the vessel.
is shown in Table 1.
be used during unloading. However, in
addition to these components, other 3. Purge with nitrogen with a Table 1
trace contaminants from the process minimum purity of 99.9% containing LEL of Some Common Fluids
stream may be adsorbed by or less than 100 ppm(m) oxygen. Fluid Volume % in Air
deposited on the adsorbents. These Alternatively, the vessel can be Benzene 1.4
other trace compounds can become Ethane 2.9
steamed out downflow with low
concentrated on the adsorbent during Hydrogen 4.0
pressure steam at a temperature
its use and may cause the spent Methane 5.0
below 190°C (375°F), ensuring that
adsorbent to exhibit toxic, flammable n-Butane 1.6
the flow is lined up from the bottom
Propane 2.1
or unstable characteristics. Among of the vessel to a safe location. The
the contaminants of greatest concern steaming step may be continued for If you encounter any difficulties or
are hydrogen sulfides, iron sulfides 8-12 hours to drive off light have questions using the above
(from metal scale in the vessel), hydrocarbons. Steam-out must be procedures, contact your UOP
arsenic and/or mercury, and residual immediately followed by a cold representative immediately.
hydrocarbons. 5
nitrogen purge.
Unloading and handling of spent adsorbent
7
Disposal
The spent adsorbent is hazardous and In the unusual case where the ADS-120
should be disposed of or reclaimed in or ADS-130 products may be contam-
accordance with all governmental inated with mercury you may contact
requirements. It is feasible to reclaim UOP for assistance in placing ADS
the active copper component in the adsorbent users in contact with spent
adsorbent and, where applicable mercury guard processing facilities.
regulations permit, the reclaimed
copper may be returned to the open
As a reminder, due to the possible presence of sulfur, arsenic and other
market. When disposing the spent
potential contaminants such as mercury, the spent UOP ADS-120 or
adsorbent, condsider:
ADS-130 adsorbent is likely to be considered a hazardous waste by
most governmental authorities. Other hazardous characteristics of the
• Completing a detailed character-
material may also affect waste classification. Packaging, storage,
ization of the spent adsorbent for
waste classification purposes. transport, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste are strictly
controlled by governmental regulations.
• Selection of treatment and disposal
companies that are licensed for
mercury and sulfide containing
wastes.
• Selection of transportation
companies licensed to transport
hazardous waste.
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Find out more
For more information, contact your local
UOP representative or our Des Plaines office.