Receiver Function

Butane from debutanizer or fractionation condenses in overhead exchangers. Receiver collects condensed liquid providing surge volume between condensation and downstream processing. Accommodates condenser performance variations and flow disturbances without affecting column operation or product pumping.

Vessel Design

Horizontal or vertical drum with condensed butane inlet, vapor space for flash gas, liquid outlet to storage or further processing, vapor outlet to compression or recovery, level instrumentation, and pressure control. Design provides adequate surge time typically 10-20 minutes.

Operating Conditions

Pressure 3-8 bar maintains butane liquid at ambient temperature without refrigeration. Temperature typically 20-40C depending on ambient and condenser duty. Design accommodates seasonal temperature variations affecting vapor pressure.

Material Selection

Carbon steel construction per ASME Section VIII suitable for butane service. External coating protects against atmospheric corrosion. Design handles pressure cycling from temperature changes and flow variations.

Vapor Management

Flash vapor from condensate contains light ends or results from temperature changes. Vapor space sized for accumulation. Outlet routes to compression, refrigeration recovery, or fuel gas. Pressure control maintains receiver conditions.

Level Control

Level transmitter manages inventory coordinating condenser output with downstream withdrawal. High-level protection prevents overflow. Low-level alarm indicates condensation or feed issues. Controllers integrate with fractionation system operation.

Applications

Gas plant butane recovery after debutanizer, refinery LPG fractionation intermediate storage, NGL processing butane handling, petrochemical butane feed surge, and any operation condensing and collecting liquid butane.

Product Quality

Receiver maintains butane composition from fractionation. Minimal vapor mixing ensures specification purity. Temperature control prevents excessive vaporization altering composition. Critical for consistent product quality.

Downstream Interface

Liquid feeds butane storage, transport loading, or further processing. Pumps take suction from receiver requiring adequate NPSH. Level control coordinates with pump operation preventing cavitation or gas entrainment.

Performance Benefits

Provides essential surge capacity stabilizing butane processing. Buffers upstream-downstream variations. Enables independent control of condensation and product handling. Simple reliable storage with minimal maintenance.

Construction Standards

Design per ASME Section VIII for operating pressure. Materials suitable for butane liquid and vapor. Relief protection against thermal expansion and fire exposure. Complete documentation with capacity calculations.

ERGIL condensed butane receivers provide reliable surge capacity and inventory management in LPG processing and NGL fractionation operations.