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In Hydrogen generation unit, it is observed higher total organic content (TOC) in process condensate water collected from condensate separators. What could be the probable reason and how to mitigate/ rectify?
 
Answers
12/03/2018 A: Morgan Rodwell, Fluor Canada Limited, morgan.rodwell@fluor.com
It is not atypical to see some organic material in the process condensate, such as methanol or formic acid. These are byproducts of the reaction process. This is why some designs recycle this water back to feed without treatment - but this necessitates having a way to boil it separately from the main steam system.
Running the steam to carbon ratio too low can increase the formation of methanol and formates. It is usually undesirable to increase S/C, but going too low can cause shift reactors to make these things at greater rate.