Careers Hot-tek™ Online Services
We have developed and introduced a wide range of online (while the heater is operating) Hot-tek™ services over the last three decades, targeted at high-temperature production furnaces and heaters. Each project is approached with the utmost safety in mind, ensuring that none of the people or equipment are compromised during the execution of the Hot-tek™ Services. Evaluation and engineering phases of each Hot-tek™ project determine the best operational approach and parameters will be set to achieve an optimal outcome, typically with no downtime or rate reduction.
Hot-tek is the industry leader in hot maintenance and online furnace repair techniques and holds multiple patents on the approaches, methods, and tools used to carry out these services. It allows us to customize our approach for every client’s needs. Often, multiple Hot-tek™ Services are employed during an application to achieve the best result, with the most convenience for the client.
Hot-tek™ Online Services
Hot-tek™ Hot Access Creation
Benefits of Hot-tek Hot Access Creation
Hot-tek Hot Access Creation enables safe, engineered access to high-temperature or pressurized equipment during operation -allowing inspection, cleaning, and repair without shutting down the unit.
- Online creation of safe, reusable access ports
- Enables internal inspection and intervention during operation
- Supports cleaning, diagnostics, and targeted repairs
- Expands reach of Hot-tek inspection and stabilization services
Address issues such as hot spots or tube damage in real time, without the cost and disruption of a shutdown. Permanent access points also provide long-term maintenance flexibility and improved reliability.
Hot-tek™ Hot Convection Cleaning for Fired Heaters
Benefits of Hot-tek Hot Convection Cleaning
Hot-tek Hot Convection Cleaning removes fouling and scale from convection section tubes while the heater remains in service, restoring performance and efficiency without interrupting production.
- Increased heat transfer efficiency in the convection section
- Improved steam production and process pre-heat
- Lower stack temperatures and better thermal efficiency
- Reduced fuel consumption and operational losses
Restore convection section performance and recover lost efficiency -safely, online, and without downtime.
Hot-tek™ Hot Radiant Tube Descaling (HTD)
Benefits of Hot Radiant Tube Descaling
Hot-tek™ Hot Radiant Tube Descaling (HTD) is an online furnace tube descaling solution in the radiant section, removing fireside scale and fouling during operation to restore heat transfer and reduce temperature constraints without shutdown
- Reduction in bridgewall temperatures (typically 50–100°F / 10–38°C)
- Restoration of radiant heat transfer efficiency
- Safe, continuous cleaning using water-cooled lance technology
- No increase in opacity during operation
Extend heater performance between turnarounds and achieve rapid payback by eliminating scale buildup while maintaining full operation.
Hot-tek™ Hot Refractory Repair Services
Benefits of Hot-tek Hot Refractory Repair
Hot-tek Hot Refractory Repair restores damaged refractory and eliminates shell hot spots while the heater remains in operation—avoiding shutdowns and maintaining production capacity.
- Online repair of refractory failures without interrupting operation
- Elimination of shell hot spots that limit capacity
- Engineered repair method using minimal access openings
- Semi-permanent solution lasting until the next turnaround
Resolve critical hot spots in real time and avoid costly shutdown decisions, while maintaining safe and stable heater operation.
Hot-tek™ Hot Inspection Service
Benefits of Hot-tek®Hot Inspection (Lancescope™)
Hot-tek Hot Inspection uses the Lancescope™ system to provide real-time internal visibility of fired heaters and high-temperature equipment—without requiring a shutdown.
- High-resolution inspection up to 3000°F (1650°C)
- Early detection of damage, fouling, and tube degradation
- Access to confined or hard-to-reach areas during operation
- Supports informed maintenance and repair decisions
Gain critical insight into operating equipment and identify issues early—reducing downtime, lowering costs, and maximizing production reliability
Hot-tek™ Hot Radiant Tube Stabilisation (HTS)
Benefits of Hot Radiant Tube Stabilisation
Hot-tek Hot Radiant Tube Stabilisation (HTS) secures damaged or dislodged tubes in fired heaters during operation, restoring integrity and ensuring safe, continuous performance
- Stabilization of dislodged tubes, supports, and broken hangers
- Online repair without shutdown or production interruption
- Prevents further mechanical damage and risk of tube failure
- Extends safe operation until scheduled maintenance
Maintain heater integrity and avoid costly unplanned outages by stabilizing critical tube issues in real time, keeping your unit running safely and efficiently
Hot-tek™ Hot Vacuum Service
Benefits of Hot-tek Hot Vacuum Service
Hot-tek® Hot Vacuum Service removes fouling and debris from SCR catalyst banks during operation, restoring gas flow and system efficiency without interrupting production
- Reduction of pressure drop across SCR catalyst systems
- Improved gas flow and reduced load on ID fans
- Restoration of DeNOx performance and emissions control
- Safe, non-damaging cleaning of catalyst surfaces
Return SCR performance to near “as-new” condition while reducing energy consumption and eliminating the risk of production curtailment.
Hot-tek™ Hot Equipment Installation (HEI)
Benefits of Hot-tek Hot Equipment Installation (HEI)
Hot-tek® Hot Equipment Installation (HEI) enables the safe installation of instruments and access pointson live equipment, allowing upgrades without waiting for a shutdown.
- Install gauges, analyzers, and sampling ports during operation
- Engineered hot taps for safe work under temperature and pressure
- Flexible port sizes and custom geometries
- Eliminates downtime and accelerates improvement projects
Upgrade and expand your instrumentation when needed—without interrupting production or delaying critical improvements
I’m here to help
Larry Emch
IGS Subject Matter Expert
Hot-tek™ Services FAQs
Our Hot-tek™ online maintenance solutions allow plants to complete critical fired heater, boiler, and process equipment repairs without shutting down.
Explore our FAQs to learn more about each service:
Heat Transfer Efficiency Solutions
TubeTech™ Fouling Removal Services
For more than 30 years, TubeTech™ have been pioneers in solving the toughest fouling challenges in the fired heater convection section, heat exchanger bundles, and texas towers.
TubeTech’s patented robotic and remote fouling removal technologies remove over 90% of fouling, even on the most fouled assets.
TubeTech™ Fouling Removal Services
Heat Exchanger Fouling Removal Services:
- Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger Fouling Removal
- Fired Heater Furnace Fouling Removal
- Texas Tower (VCFE) Fouling Removal
- Twisted Tube Heat Exchanger Fouling Removal
- U-Tube (Hairpin) Heat Exchanger Fouling Removal
Air Cooled Condenser Fouling Removal (ACC)
Fouling Removal for Inspection:
Free consultation with an IGS Subject Matter Expert
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