Advanced techniques are the current major force in improving plant profitability. These techniques may improve profitability in some cases. However, for the advanced techniques to work, the basic equipment must function. The equipment must be the correct type and intact. Without properly functioning equipment, the best modern methods do not improve profits.
When repeated failures are found consistently in distillation equipment, investigation for the cause of the problem needs to start. Investigation should look at the process, equipment design, equipment fabrication, equipment installation, auxiliary equipment, and operating procedures as possible sources of problems. However, this can take time. Additionally, some processes are inherently severe services. For this reason, the maintenance department can improve reliability with trays by making them stronger. Some of the best ways to increase tray strength use truss lugs, shear clips, and through bolting.