Structure Optimization for Anti-corrosion of Manifold in Reforming Unit Based on Fluent

The corrosion mechanism of manifold in catalytic reforming unit was studied using the corrosion theory. The results showed that high temperature sulfur corrosion appeared in lower right side of the inner wall surface of the flange of outlet manifold. As the corrosion products were loose and porous in hydrogen-rich environment, the wall was scoured at high flow rate of fluid. The flow field features of manifold in catalytic reforming unit were numerically simulated and analyzed using FLUENT software. The results showed that swirl intensity increased with the flow of fluid, the vorticity of 240 s-1 for high-intensity swirl appeared in lower right side of the inner wall surface of the flange of outlet manifold when the fluid mass flow reached 168 t/h. The tangential velocity of fluid scoured wall surface reached 16 m/s. The numerical results are in good agreement with the inspection of manifold. In addition, the structural optimization design for anti-vortex of flat cover was carried out. In the same condition, using CFD software to numerical simulation, the results found that the optimized flat cover structure had well anti-corrosion effect.