A refinery customer is currently facing the challenge of increasing feed throughput to their naphtha splitter column by 18%. The existing column, outfitted with 42 two-pass trays using conventional movable valves, is already operating near its mechanical limits and cannot handle the higher load. The kicker? The revamp needs to happen fast — with minimal changes to the column shell.
Sulzer Chemtech steps in with a proven solution: a one-for-one tray replacement using our high-capacity UFMTM Max valves. Thanks to their superior flow performance, UFM Max valves can accommodate the increased throughput without requiring modifications to the downcomers — saving time and effort during turnaround.
This minimal-impact upgrade enables the customer to:
Increase feed flow by 18% compared to conventional valves
Maintain operational flexibility with a turndown ratio of 5:1
Avoid extensive structural changes inside the column
With UFM Max, customers can achieve higher throughput targets using existing tray spacing and hardware layouts. That means faster turnarounds, reduced labor, and less risk — all while meeting production goals.
| Performance Comparison | Conventional Movable Valve | UFM Max |
|---|---|---|
| Feed Flow Rate | base | +18% |
| Turndown Ratio | 4:1 | 5:1 |
→ Ready to revamp with confidence? Contact Sulzer Chemtech for tailored solutions or check out our webpage