Applying Mass Transfer Principles to the Design and Operation of Refinery Crude Distillation Overhead Water Wash Systems

Abstract Water wash systems have been used by refiners in distillation overheads for decades to assist with corrosion control. Some of these wash systems have worked well reducing overhead corrosion from HCl salts providing the operator with valuable flexibility in operation of the crude unit. However, some wash systems struggle to protect the system from salt corrosion despite implementing many industry-popular features in the wash design. In a follow up to C2023-18757, “Considering Mass Transfer in Refinery Crude Distillation Overhead Water Wash”, this paper covers practical application of mass transfer equations to evaluate the potential effectiveness of water wash systems for various overhead scenarios.1 Insights and challenges to successful washing will be discussed.