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Performance Evaluation of the Pattern Recognition Flooding Predictor
by: J. Christopher Lewis, A. Frank Seibert and James R. Fair
Separations Research Program
Center for Energy and Environmental Resources The University of Texas at Austin
July 3, 2001 - The genesis of this project is innovative work by Mr. George Dzyacky, owner of 2ndpoint, Inc., which attracted funding by The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE). The thrust of the Dzyacky work is a control methodology, which permits distillation columns to operate in a stable fashion very close to the flood point. The methodology is called the pattern recognition flooding predictor, and the purpose of the present work was to demonstrate the value of the predictor when applied to an operating distillation column. Funding for the work was by the DOE. Mr. Dzyacky was present as an observer for the test run by SRP.
Distillation Column Flooding Predictor
U. S. Patent 5,784,538
by: George E. Dzyacky
1999 - D.O.E., Inventions and Innovation Grantee
The Flooding Predictor is a pattern-recognition methodology that predicts flooding in distillation columns. Two early commercial versions de-bottlenecked one of the largest refineries in North America. Distillation tower flooding occurs at abnormally high vapor and/or liquid rates. The loss in tray efficiencies is attributed to unusual behavior of liquid inventories inside the column leading to conditions of flooding of the space in between trays with liquid. Depending on the severity of the flood condition, consequences range from offspec products to equipment damage and tower shutdown.