PROCESS

DRAINS

EXP-PR-PR120a-EN
Rev. 0
2
Process Drains
In this course you will learn:
The functions of drains
How drains work
Different types of drains
Drains and the process
Operating parameters
Operating drains
3
Process Drains
The functions of drains
The function of drainage
systems is to collect the
occasional liquid purges
from the production units.
4
Process Drains
How drains work
Closed drains

The closed drain system is balanced on the LP flare network

The hydrocarbons from the tank are collected by a pump operating under
ON/OFF level control and are sent into the oil line

The pump lift lines are fitted with high pressure safeties linked to the
Process Safety System (PSS).

The closed drain tank is equipped with a very low LSLL level safety
linked to the PSS and with a very high LSHH level safety linked to the
Emergency Shutdown System (ESD).

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Process Drains
How drains work
Open drains

The open drain system is in balance with the atmosphere
The open drain tank is equipped with a baffle
The drains manifold feeds the tanks by means of a plunger tube
The mixed water / hydrocarbon phase accumulates in the lower part and
the hydrocarbons that are lighter than water are carried over to the
second part of the receptacle by flowing over the separator baffle.
These hydrocarbons are collected by a pump operating under ON/OFF
level control and returned to the closed drain tank
The water phase is sent to the waste tube
Another decantation process takes place in this waste tube and the
hydrocarbons floating on the top are returned to the open drain tank
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Process Drains
Different types of drains
The closed drain

Closed drains are made up of a network of manifolds and sub-manifolds
that collect:
Oily bleed-off from processes, such as liquids from flare drums
Liquids from the degassing drum skimmer
Hydrocarbons from the oily discharge outlet of the hydrocyclones
Hydrocarbons from the sump tank
The hydrocarbon phase recovered from the open drain

The vessels are linked to the collectors by lines fitted with valves to
prevent the hydrocarbons fromp coming into contact with the air.
The different collectors are linked to the closed drain drum by a main
manifold.
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Process Drains
Different types of drains
Open drains or sump tanks

Open drains are made up of a network of manifolds and sub-manifolds
that collect the installation's various oily water purges
The vessels are not directly linked to collectors and bleed off occurs
through lines fitted with valves that open into funnels installed on the
manifolds
The collectors are connected to a drum by a main manifold, as for closed
drains
A discharge tube linked to the drain drum discharges the decanted water
to the sea, on an offshore installation, or to water treatment on an
onshore installation
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Process Drains
Different types of drains
Valve set-up for open and
closed drains
9
Process Drains
Drains and the process
Location and criticality


Drain systems have a high criticality: it is the last barrier preventing liquid
hydrocarbons from being sent to the environment

It is prohibited to connect the closed-drains networks with the open-drain
networks
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Process Drains
Operating parameters
Closed drains

A very low LSLL level detected in the closed drain tank leads to shutting
down the hydrocarbon collection pumps and closing the SDV safety
valves at the pump suctions in order to protect the latter

A very high LSHH detected in this tank triggers a General Production
Shut Down

Open drains

A very low LSLL level detected in the open drain tank leads to shutting
down the hydrocarbon phase collection pumps towards the open drain
and closing the safety valve at the pump lifts
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Process Drains
Operating drains
Start-up
Before start-up, it is imperative to carry out an inertance of the closed drain
system. This inertance can be done with either nitrogen, with an inert gas, or with
water from which all traces of liquid hydrocarbons (in emulsion) have been
removed
Normal operation
Carry out a weekly test of booster pumps
Check that the open drains are not obstructed
On an offshore installation, check the colour of the waste water to the sea (lack of
iridescence indicating a hydrocarbon leak)
Shut-down
The drainage system is shut-down after the installations are shut down.
Before maintenance operations of any nature whatsoever are carried out, it is
imperative to inert the closed drain system
This is done by means of a nitrogen sweep after having purged all the liquid
hydrocarbons