TubeTech’s fired heater/furnace convection section fouling removal service is recognised by world leading refining and petrochemical companies as the most effective technology to achieve OEM performance fired heaters.

Fired heaters are often difficult to remove fouling from as most fired heater fouling removal methods are only able to reach what the operator can see. Access deep inside and between the banks of finned tube rows has never been achieved until now.

TubeTech’s fired heater furnace fouling removal service helps improve fired heater performance by significantly increasing feed throughput, and reducing stack temperatures and CO₂ and NO_x emissions.

Using robotic cleaning technology, we remove fouling from deep in between both square and triangular pitch rows of convection tubes. Delivering an unprecedented level of heat transfer efficiency in record times, TubeTech’s robotic fired heater fouling removal technology replaces traditional fired heater cleaning techniques which include: chemical cleaning, abrasive shot blasting and dry ice.

To find out more about TubeTech’s robotic fired heater fouling removal and inspection service please review our fired heater case studies below.

Our robotic fired heater convection section cleaning technology is the result of years of dedicated research and development. It is the safer way to clean or remove fouling from fired heater furnaces, furnace tubes and other heat transfer equipment whilst guaranteeing industry leading results of 90% fouling removed as standard. Take a look at the video to see for yourself…

TubeTech™ Robotic Convection Section Cleaning FAQs

Below are answers to common questions about TubeTech robotic convection section cleaning and project execution.

Will TubeTech ROV cleaning damage or soak the convection section refractory?

No.

The refractory in the convection section is typically castable or castable brick, which is designed to tolerate controlled surface wetting. TubeTech cleaning only wets the surface; it does not soak or saturate the refractory.

Water does not pool or migrate into the radiant section. All effluent is collected beneath the convection section, preventing contamination and protecting refractory integrity.

Is TubeTech ROV cleaning safe for stainless steel convection tubes?

Yes.

To prevent chloride-related corrosion, cleaning water is conditioned with a solution which neutralizes chlorides and protects stainless steel surfaces.

This approach is proven in steam crackers and refinery heaters and is also effective where sulphur is present in deposits.

Can the ROV damage convection fins or tubes?

No.

The ROV weight is distributed across multiple contact points. Convection fins are steel, typically around 2 mm thick, and designed to withstand significantly higher loads.

Any fin damage identified during cleaning is almost always due to pre-existing corrosion or dew-point related sulphuric acid attack, not the ROV itself. Cleaning in these cases still improves gas flow and helps operators plan targeted tube replacement in future turnarounds.

Who is responsible for handling contaminated water after cleaning?

In most cases, the site manages waste capture and disposal.

Refineries and chemical plants typically already have licensed waste contractors, equipment, and compliance frameworks in place. This ensures proper handling, certification, and regulatory alignment.

We work closely with site teams to clearly define scope and responsibilities, and can support alternative arrangements if required.

What if there isn’t enough time during the turnaround?

Turnaround schedules are always tight, and we plan accordingly.

TubeTech ROV cleaning can often be integrated without extending the critical path. The objective is to recover performance without increasing turnaround duration or risk.

Is TubeTech cleaning a single-source solution, and how does tendering work?

The TubeTech ROV is a patented convection section cleaning system designed specifically to access and clean between tube banks where fouling accumulates.

In many cases, tenders are structured through approved site contractors, who then engage us for the specialist scope. The focus should be on performance recovery, risk reduction, and lifecycle value, rather than a like-for-like cost comparison with conventional methods.

Technical Content Reviewed By:

Al Geraskin, IGS Subject Matter Expert – Energy Efficiency Solutions

Committed to process reliability and performance improvement, Al is a leader in industrial energy efficiency, and surface engineering and reliability.