Leakage analysis of the recirculating cooling water system in petrochemical enterprises

Petrochemical industry is the basis of modern industry,and the recirculating cooling water system is an essential part of the refining enterprise. The medium leakage of cooling water heat exchangers will seriously affect the normal production and operation,and even cause the device shutdown or other serious consequences. Medium leakage of heat exchangers is often accompanied by obvious apparent characteristics. The leaked medium and its apparent characteristics of recirculating cooling water system in petrochemical enterprises were summarized, as well as the changes in water quality. The logic, methods, and treatment measures for detecting medium leakage were outlined. Taking the sudden leakage in a petrochemical enterprise as an example, the apparent characteristics, leakage detection process, and treatment measures of recirculating cooling water system in refining and chemical units were analyzed. Based on the analysis of specific leakage cases, it was concluded that oil content and COD method was more effective to detect recirculating cooling water system leakage in refining units. Meanwhile, turbidity method could be used as an approach for early and rapid determination of leakages. VOC method could quickly determine whether there was medium leakage in recirculating cooling water system of chemical units.