Stainless Steel Tower

Towers are core separation equipment in process industries such as oil refining, chemical processing, and natural gas treatment. They are composed of the vessel shell, heads, skirt, and internal components (trays, packings, distributors, collectors, demisters, etc.), examples include distillation columns, absorption towers, strippers, and extraction columns. Tower operating conditions are complex, placing extremely high demands on design, materials, and manufacturing.

The commonly used materials for stainless steel towers include 304 and 316L. For sections with high chloride ion concentration or high temperature, duplex stainless steel (2205) or higher grade alloys (such as 904L) can be selected.

Due to the different thermal expansion coefficients of stainless steel and carbon steel, additional consideration needs to be given to the thermal stress matching between the tower body and internal components (such as tower plate support rings and packing pressure plates) when designing stainless steel towers. We use finite element analysis to assist in determining the stress level of connection points under large temperature difference conditions.

The internal components such as the distributor, collection tray, and packing support inside the tower are made of stainless steel of the same or higher grade as the tower body to avoid galvanic corrosion. For areas with gas-liquid erosion (such as below the feed inlet), Stellite alloy can be welded or wear-resistant liners can be added.

We can design according to ASME VIII, GB 150, PD 5500. The stainless steel tower can be manufactured in a single section with a maximum diameter of about 5 meters and a height of over 30 meters. If it is too long, it can be manufactured in sections and welded on site. We can provide ASME U stamp, PED certification, and classification society certificates (ABS, DNV, BV, CCS).