Piping Vibration of Multi-Treater System in OCU Process Plant

Abstract

Acoustic-Mechanical coupling effect on piping dynamics is examined on site with measurement and analytical development. In this article, a multi-treater piping system in OCU (Olefin Conversion Unit) plant is subjected to investigation since significant piping vibration prevents the normal operation when some specific combinations of two treaters are operated. There is severe piping and structure vibration problem especially with increased capacity. Measurement in frequency domain shows two peaks so close each other to result in high amplitude in the piping system vibration by beating phenomenon. In search of solution, extra safety valve is manually opened to increase the acoustic volume which changes the acoustic natural frequency in the subjected piping system and decrease the vibration. Analytical study with acoustic analysis software is also conducted and it shows the same results as the actual piping dynamics. Based on the acoustic study, piping modification is designed and applied to the piping system and vibration improvement is achieved as expected.