I’m trying to reduce the amount of time we take to cool/quench our coke drums. Our quenching cycle typically takes 6 – 7 hours of water after the slow and fast steam. Our cooling water pump puts out approx. 450 gpm with the flow control valve wide open.
Recently we modifed our cooling water ramping program so that we are maximizing the rate of water addition to the limit of our pressure control valve to the blowdown system. This has enabled us to reach full water rate is the least amount of time. Our current practise is to set the pressure controller at 40 psig.
My question is would there be any benefit of reducing the drum pressure once the pressure control valve is less than 50% open to maintain the pressure. My thinking is that reducing the drum pressure would allow my cooling water flowrate to increase.
I’m also looking at installing a larger impeller in our existing pump but this will take some time for the necessary approvals.
How are other refiners quenching their drums?
