Careers Tube Support Installation During Operation
Vacuum Heater in a US Refinery
Having recently celebrated a century of operations in 2019, this US Refinery, located in Ohio has the ability to process 160,000 bpd of crude oil.
Pressing Problem
The Hot-tek team were contacted regarding a problem with with the vacuum heater tube supports. The refinery wanted it repaired as soon as possible as an insurance policy. Rapid repair meant they wouldn’t need to perform continuous monitoring. In addition, when the repair was left until the next shutdown, in extreme cases, the tube has been known to slump and disconnect off the wall, causing an emergency shutdown.
PROBLEM
Two tubes in a vacuum heater have partially lost their tube support. The retaining bar fell out of place.
SOLUTION
In order to prevent a potential unplanned shutdown in the future, IGS Hot-tek delivered a turnkey solution, installing tube stabilizers while the heater continued normal operation.
Timely Solution
IGS Hot-tek supplied the tube stabilizers (manufactured out of 310 SS), and the reinforcement steel required for this project. The project was completed safely and on time in two shifts.