Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) Alkylation is a refining process that mixes hydrocarbons from a fluidized catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) with a hydrofluoric acid catalyst, to make high octane gasoline. For decades, HF Alkylation units have been particularly vulnerable to corrosion, because HF acid by its nature seeks out and attacks imperfections in cast components, leading to pump failures and product leakage.
Why Sealless Magnetic Drive Pumps are a Preferred Choice for HF Acid Service
Addressing the industry-wide issue of casting failures with an innovative approach, HMD Kontro has developed a unique solution using alternative Alloy C22 / C276 materials combined with a new validation method of Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) for the pump casing. Designed exclusively for pumps entering HF service, this sealless magnetic drive pump solution offers the highest level of safety & reliability, and it has been rigorously validated to ensure complete fluid containment.
HMD Kontro’s proprietary solution combines several critical elements:
- Liquid contact materials of the highest grade
- A NDE and testing plan designed specifically for HF Acid
- Secondary containment with leak detection
- Same MAWP rating as primary pressure boundary
- Integrity monitoring of Secondary Containment (LOPA)
- Pressure Transmitter
- Containment Shell Temperature Monitoring
- Dry-Run Protection.
Sundyne will discuss how these steps work together next week at the UOP Honeywell HF Alkylation User’s Symposium, taking place June 26-29 at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs. During the conference, Sundyne’s Jason Fouraker will present a technical paper entitled: “Approved Magnetic Drive Pumps in HF Acid Service.”
This session will share a number of lessons learned since 1992, when a refinery in Australia deployed an HMD Kontro sealless magnetic drive pump for HF Alkylation – which remains in service today. The session will also provide a range of details explaining Sundyne/HMD’s innovative approach to addressing casting failures for pumps handling Hydrofluoric Acid. It will discuss HMD’s unique approach to using alternative alloy materials, and it will highlight HMD’s extensive validation methods for Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) on the pump casing.
HMD’s process, which has been accepted and endorsed by UOP dramatically increases pump reliability and it increases safety for personnel in HF Alkylation facilities.
Sundyne has spent almost 10 years working with UOP to demonstrate and validate this proprietary pumping solution for safely handling hydrofluoric acid applications. Now, anyone interested in discovering the best way to address HF Alkylation pumping challenges can do so by visiting https://hmdkontro.com/hf/ and completing the HF Alkylation inquiry form – or they can simply contact us today.
Sundyne World Headquarters
14845 W. 64th Ave. | Arvada, CO 80007 USA | +1 303-425-0800 | www.sundyne.com