Subject 14. Upstream/Midstream/Downstream. Issue: DWC tips. 1.

Operating pressure should be more

or less the same or close; 2. The volatility of 3 components shall assure that the split of them to be at
least as difficult; 3. One component should be in excess and the others in approx. equal quantities; 4. If
ID of 2 fractionators are equal or slightly lower than ID of DWC, then DWC it is a good fit; 5. If TG to TG
of DWC is 5-15% lower & ID is higher than 2 fractionators, then DWC could be optimum solution; 6.
Compare the reboiler & condenser duty of DWC with 2 column system & the diff. should be 20-25%,
then use DWC; 7. The DWC no. of equipment is lower which minimize CAPEX & OPEX; 8. A drawback of
the DWC - dividing wall is the wall itself, due to mechanical design particularities like heat stress on shell,
welds strength, the wall leakages from one side to another & most important the heat transfer through
wall. The last one could create issues for some applications & the T profile along the wall should be
examined during design phase to identify significant diff. & to apply mitigation measures.