Abstract
Among the flare systems that handle discharged substances from safety valves, the knockout drum was a key facility for safety, but the installation standards were not clear, so it was necessary to review the standards acceptable to the workplace and regulatory agencies. After investigating the domestic and foreign technical standards of knockout drums and the deficiencies of previous studies, research was first conducted on the degree of mass discharge, the installation location of the intermediate knockout drum, and the effect of changes in the composition of the discharged material. As a result of the study under the process simulation conditions, the gas-liquid separation of the knockout drum was completed in a small amount of less than 7,500kg/hr. However, when more than that was released, the gas-liquid separation effect was small even with the addition of an intermediate knockout drum. In addition, when the composition ratio of the material easily condensed was increased (molar fraction 10%), the gas-liquid separation effect of the knockout drum increased in the case of mass release. The gas-liquid separation effect was analyzed to be greater when the knockout drum was installed adjacent to the stack than the knockout drum was installed adjacent to the process equipment.
안전밸브의 배출물질을 처리하는 플레어시스템(Flare system) 중 녹아웃드럼(Knockout drum)은 안전에 있어 핵심설비이나 설치기준이 명확하지 않아 사업장 및 규제기관이 수용 가능한 기준 검토가 필요한 실정이었다. 녹아웃드럼의 국내·외 기준과 선행연구 미비점을 조사하여 대량방출 범위, 중간녹아웃드럼 설치위치, 방출물질 조성 영향에 대하여 우선 연구를 수행하였으며, 연구결과 공정모사(Simulation)조건에서 7,500kg/hr 미만의 소량방출은 기·액 분리가 완전하게 되었고 대량 방출은 중간 녹아웃드럼을 추가하였으나 분리효과가 적게 나타났다. 그러나 응축물질 조성을 증가(몰분율 10%)한 경우 대량방출에서 기·액 분리효과가 상승하는 것으로 조사되었으며, 녹아웃드럼을 공정설비에 인접 설치한 것보다는 스택에 인접 설치한 경우에 기·액 분리효과가 더 크게 분석되었다.