Q & A > Question Details
We are using 100% Visbreaker bottom as Refinery Fuel Oil in our heaters. Hard scale is observed externally on Heater Tubes. What is the usual normal receipe of fuel oil for Refinery Heaters. Is there any limit on fuel oil sulfur content to minimize fouling by adding diesel. Is there any treatment , by adding additives, to reduce external fouling of heater tubes?
 
Answers
26/04/2011 A: Mike Watson, Tube Tech International Ltd, mike.watson@tubetech.com
Tube Tech International's PlateJett (tm) is your answer. Whilst offline, this is the worlds first and only patented robotic system that accesses between the horizontal or vertical convection (finned or bare) and radiant section, triangular tube pitch of 9mm+. removing tenacious hydrocarbon scale deep inside the furnace without refractory damage. Chemicals, whilst online does not remove the harder type of fouling nor provide 100% surface contact hence a positive mechanical shear force contact is required.
25/04/2011 A: Eric Vetters, ProCorr Consulting Services, ewvetters@yahoo.com
Nature of foulant will depend on where the deposits are located. Most likely they are metal salts from the metals in the fuel oil. These salts can also be corrosive so in addition to the salts themselves the foulant may include corrosion deposits. There are additives that can be injected into the heater to help disperse the salts and slow down the fouling. I would start your refinery chemical supplier to see if they have the necessary chemistries.
25/04/2011 A: SUNDEEP GUPTA, PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES COMPANY, sundeep_gupta@pic.com.kw
Visbreaker bottoms is rich in metals like Vd, Cd etc. All these form potent slag like coating on external surface of the furnace tubes. I have not heard of anything available to minimize this type of fouling. It is best to avoid using such a stream as fuel oil.