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We are observing an increase in crude column boot water chloride while the processing of RAS GHARIB crude in higher %. The frequent excursions in chloride up to 40 ppm has been observed during the period. It also lowers the boot water pH.The iron values are within specs. It is understood that this crude contains the organic chloride in it which cracks in the furnaces and increase the chloride concentrations. The increase in caustic flow in the downstream of desalter is also not helpful. Kindly share the processing experience.
 
Answers
28/12/2013 A: Celso Pajaro, Sulzer Chemtech, celso.pajaro@sulzer.com
You have to be careful not to overdose caustic, which will foul the fired heaters, you should reduce caustic dose until you see chlorides going up again, also if you have water wash injection to the overhead increase it and see if chloride concentration in the water increases or stay stable. you may need to add or increase the neutralizer into the overhead to keep pH under control