Hydrocarbon (HPI) & Chemical Processing
As the use of monolithic refractory products has increased and as these products have become more technically sophisticated, the requirement for properly controlled dryout has taken higher priority and is essential to maximizing the performance of these products in the applications for which they are designed. It is well recognized by refractory manufacturers and consumers alike, that it is not only the selection of the correct product for the application, but proper installation techniques combined with a properly executed initial dryout that ultimately results in a refractory lining that will give maximum performance throughout its campaign life.
Hotwork has successfully performed dryouts on over 200 Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Units along with hundreds of other refractory lined vessels and units in Oil Refineries and Petrochemical facilities worldwide. Our crews of highly skilled and experienced technicians and portable combustion equipment are strategically located around the world to serve the needs of refractory consumers in the Hydrocarbon Processing Industries, with services such as Refractory Dryout, Vessel Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT), Coating Cures, Melt-out of Crude and other Viscous or Solid Materials, Process Heatups and Tube Heating for Process Steam or Steam Blows.
Refractory Dryout
Hotwork is the pioneer of the portable convective heating process, which simplifies refractory dryouts and heatups. The one-sided drying of monolithic refractories is an extremely complex transient heat and mass transfer phenomenon, which includes chemical reactions throughout the dryout process. Moisture trapped in a refractory lining after a rebuild or shutdown is especially detrimental to optimum refractory performance.
The Hotwork convective heating method utilizes rapid heat transfers at all temperature levels. Our patented, portable burner systems produce high velocity combustion, which is accurately controlled from ambient to temperatures in excess of 2500°F (1370°C). The high discharge rate circulates the products of combustion evenly throughout the vessel, regardless of size and configuration, producing overall temperature uniformity. The process results in fast and even moisture removal across the entire refractory lining allowing rapid unit startups.
Hotwork has successfully completed dryouts on:
| Fluidized Catalytic Cracking
Units (FCCU) Fired Heaters Sulfur Reaction Furnace Acid Units Hydrogen Reformers Downstream Separators Waste Heat Boilers Package Boilers |
Thermal Oxidizers Chemical Incinerators Reactors Ammonia Reformers Transfer Lines Ground Flares Fluid Bed Reactors Sodium Silicate (see GLASS) |
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Vessel Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) Hotwork has successfully stress-relieved hundreds of vessels of virtually every size. Our high velocity combustion systems and experienced technicians are ideally suited for this procedure because of the tight tolerances and minimum temperature uniformity requirements on all PWHT projects. Hotwork has completed PWHT of coke drums, pressure vessels, stripper vessels, reactors, reformers and storage tanks. We have fired entire vessels of over 300 feet in length by 15-foot diameter in the horizontal position and pressure vessels up to 9 inches wall thickness. Coating Cures The procedure requires very low, controlled and uniform temperatures across the coating surface. The low-turndown capability of the Hotwork combustion equipment is a perfect fit for this curing process. Hotwork can heat cure linings in large or small tanks, either in the field or the shop. Melt-out of Crude and other Viscous or Solid Materials The Hotwork system is extremely flexible; heat can be applied to wherever needed and for whatever purpose. When fluids freeze, our melt-out service can help get things moving again. Process Heatups For years, Hotwork has taken process units from ambient up to operating temperatures at a controlled rate and schedule. Once the desired temperature is achieved, the client will take over with the permanent or main burners or process heat. Tube Heating for Process Steam or Steam Blows Hotwork can provide temporary heat to package boilers or heat exchangers in order to produce pressurized steam for process or tube cleaning. |
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