Introduction
A major petrochemical plant based in the Al-Jubail area of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia contacted Tube Tech to develop a bespoke solution to remove fouling from the internal surfaces of radiant tubes within one of its fired heaters.
A major petrochemical plant based in the Al-Jubail area of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia contacted Tube Tech to develop a bespoke solution to remove fouling from the internal surfaces of radiant tubes within one of its fired heaters.
The petrochemical facility had noticed cold spots on certain radiant tube legs of its box heater with Arbor Radiant Coil, possibly caused by fouling or coking, therefore they were looking for visual inspection to ascertain the level of potential fouling and then cleaning.
In this case, the client had concerns with differential tube temperatures and potential for expansion cracks around the cold spots.
The client approached Tube Tech as a specialist fouling removal provider. The team were tasked with developing a bespoke solution for the visual inspection and cleaning of the fired heater radiant section tube bores on all 32 radiant tubes. Due to the design of this unit (box heater with Arbor Radiant Coil), this meant a total of 64 tube legs.
Tube Tech designed, built, and tested the solution at its UK-based Research and Development Centre. The technology was proven to be successful in locating into the individual tube end from the common header, which meant travelling nine metres horizontally along a header pipe, negotiating the 90-degree bend before climbing vertically twelve metres and then continuing over the return loop.
This was a challenging project that involved technical development and testing at our facility in the UK. Once we were confident that the technology would work, we airfreighted it to Saudi Arabia where our team were able to complete the project within four days during a planned turnaround period.
The tool that we developed to give us access to the tube ends exceeded expectations and produced astounding results. We are now able to undertake other box heater Arbor Radiant Coil header applications using the same technique.
The client has expressed its delight with our approach and dedication to solving its unique challenge. We look forward to working with them again soon!
Is your facility suffering from reduced output? Contact our team today for expert advice and tailored solutions across a range of industries and applications.
Arbor coil decoking is essential to maintain the efficiency and safety of fired heaters used in petrochemical processes. Over time, carbon-based deposits build up on the internal surfaces of the radiant coil tubes, restricting heat transfer and reducing the overall performance of the equipment. Regular decoking of arbor coils prevents these issues, minimizing the risk of cold spots, tube rupture, and unscheduled downtime. By using advanced decoking techniques, such as those provided by Tube Tech, plants can ensure consistent performance, extend the life of their equipment, and optimize energy consumption.
