Fract Research Info

1. Purpose

This procedure discusses Fractionation Research, Inc. (FRI).

2. General

FRI is a nonprofit organization that carries out fractionation research. FRI was first formed in 1952; Inflection Point Engineering joined in 1955. Funding for this research primarily comes from member companies who pay an annual fee.

Additional information on FRI is available in the following quote from Draft of FRI Prospectus dated beginning October 1, 2002.

Fractionation Research, Inc. is directed by its membership in both its business and its technical activities. The corporation is organized to make this direction effective. FRI is unique in that it legally exists only for a specific contract period. This has typically been 3 to 5 years. It continues only if the membership finds it desirable to do so. A prospectus is issued for each extension, which outlines the research planned for that extension. The membership then agrees to participate during that extension.

To oversee the research, there is a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) which plans, approves, and receives the reports on the research program. It meets two times per year. Each member company has a representative on the Committee. The TAC elects a Chairman and a Technical Committee from its membership. The Chairman chairs both Committees. The Technical Committee (TC) has 3 representatives from each industry classification - petroleum, chemical and engineering. One from each category is elected each year. The Chairman serves throughout a contract period. The Chairman and the Technical Committee meet 4 times per year and work closely with the FRI Technical Director to execute the research program approved by the TAC. The Technical Director directs the staff in executing the research program.

3. FRI Experimental Data

Most of the experimental data collected by FRI is either from a low pressure (175 psig design pressure) column or a high pressure (525 psig design pressure) column. The low pressure column has two sections. The upper section has an ID of four feet and holds 10 trays at a 24 inch tray spacing. The lower section has an ID of eight feet and holds six trays at a 24 inch tray spacing. The high pressure column has an ID of four feet. It can hold 10 trays at a 24 inch tray spacing. Most of the data and reports generated by FRI are confidential. Do not discuss FRI information with, or send FRI information to, any company that is not a member of FRI.

4. Available FRI Information

Attachment 1 shows a summary of the FRI information available to Inflection Point Engineering in the Design Handbooks and Reports. Most of this information is also available on the FRI website at . The Fractionation Specialist can provide the needed ID and password, access to hardcopies of the Handbooks and Reports in , and has copies of the following FRI videos.

• FRI Tape 911 - Downcomer Performance

• FRI Tape A - Design and Performance of Fractionating Devices

Attachment 1 - Available FRI Information

1. Fractionation Design Handbooks

1.1 Volume 1 - Design Methods

a. Section 1 - Introduction

This section contains an introduction to FRI and the FRI handbooks. Volumes 1 and 2 of the handbooks contain "procedures for the design and prediction of the performance of vapor-liquid contractors. Methods are given for the prediction of the capacity, pressure drop, and efficiency. Contractors include bubble cap trays, sieve trays, dualflow trays, packing, baffle trays, and proprietary devices." In addition to providing a short history of FRI, this section discusses the facilities, controls and instrumentation, systems investigated, and the type of tests performed.

b. Section 2 - Background

This information is now part of Section 1.

c. Section 3 - Dualflow Trays

This section includes dualflow tray correlations and design guidelines.

d. Section 4 - Bubble Cap Trays

This section includes bubble cap tray correlations and design guidelines.

e. Section 5 - Sieve Trays

This section includes sieve tray correlations and design guidelines.

f. Section 6 - Proprietary Devices

This section includes test results of proprietary trays.

1.2 Volume 2 - Design Methods

a. Section 7 – Structured Packing

This section includes structured packing design correlations and design guidelines.

b. Section 8 – Random Packing

This section includes random packing tower correlations and design guidelines.

c. Section 9 - Baffle Trays

This section includes baffle tray design correlations and design guidelines.

d. Section 10 - FRI Plant Tests

This section contains a summary of each plant test that FRI has been done.

e. Section 11 - FRI Report Index

This section contains an index of all reports generated by FRI.

f. Section 12 - Handbook Index

This section lists the most recent release date of all pages in the Tray Design Handbooks Volumes 1 and 2.

1.3 Volume 5 - Design Practices

This volume contains the recommended design practices volunteered by member companies. This information mainly covers how to introduce and remove material from packed and trayed columns.

2. Reports

FRI has created the following types of reports:

• Annual Report of the Technical Director

• Progress Report

• Plant Test Report

• Topical Report

• Consultant's Report

• Videos

• Foam Cell Reports

• Minutes of Meeting of Technical Advisory Committee