What is a side stripper, and what is its function and principle?

Because the crude oil atmospheric distillation column only has rectification section and no stripping section, the by-products contain more light components. Therefore, in order to improve the product quality, a stripper is adopted. The principle is to separate the first, second and third lines of crude oil distillation by steam stripping, which is to improve the extraction rate of light components and ensure the quality of by-products.

Superheated steam is introduced into the bottom of the side stripper. Under the condition of constant temperature and total pressure, the partial pressure of oil and gas decreases and the vaporization rate increases, that is, the extraction rate of light components in the side product increases, thus reducing the content of light components in the product.

For the removal of acid gas and ammonia, air oxidation and steam stripping are mainly used in China. Because the solubility of acid gas and ammonia decreases at high temperature, stripping is often used for removal and recovery.

The existing stripping processes are mainly double tower process and single tower process. However, the double-tower process has been gradually replaced by the single-tower pressurized side stripping process because of its shortcomings such as large floor space, many equipments, complex process, high energy consumption and large investment.