Platformers & Reformers
Reduce bridgewall temperatures and eliminate dew-point corrosion via online cleaning.
Online Cleaning Specialists
On Platformers and Reformers it is common for Iron Oxide deposits to from in the radiant section.
These deposits will reduce heat transfer and increase the bridgewall temperature. Moreover, in the convection section, fouling deposits will build-up further limiting heat transfer and it is common for carbonaceous and sulphurous deposits to form resulting in under deposit dew point corrosion and/or plugging in the economiser or air pre-heater.
Through online cleaning, Therma-Chem FS12 will remove the Iron Oxide scale deposits by raising the melting point of key components bonding the scale to the tube surfaces. As the deposits breakdown, heat transfer will increase and bridgewall temperatures will reduce.
In the back end of the unit, if H2SO4 is present, it will be converted into non-corrosive sulphites and sulphates and will be prevented from forming in future via regular application of Therma-Chem FS12. Moreover, any plugging in the economiser or air pre-heater will be loosened easing the passage of the flue gas and, once again, increasing heat transfer.
Tube surfaces in the preheating section of a Hydrogen Reformer after Therma-Chem online cleaning.
How Does FS12 Work
Therma-Chem’s FS12 is an mildly alkaline solution containing nitrates that is designed specifically to clean boilers online. Using Therma-Chem’s proprietary injection system, the liquid is injected directly into the furnace, vaporises and is carried by the flue gas through the unit, encountering all heat transfer surfaces from the radiant section through to the economiser, and air pre-heater.
FS12 reacts with existing hard deposits and fouling on tubes by increasing their melting point and reduces them to soft powdery ash.
FS12 also neutralises sulphur deposits on the cold end of the flue gas path preventing cold end corrosion and eases man entry during a maintenance or inspection shutdown.
Therma-Chem have many years of experience in cleaning both Platformers and Reformers online and specialise in dealing with the unique challenges these units represent.
Application Methods
FS12 is traditionally applied to process heaters in one of three ways:
Maintenance Dosing
Applied daily, FS12 keeps units clean and prevents costly drop offs in performance and avoids the possible need for shutdowns during the operating campaign. This is the most common method of application with some customers having used Therma-Chem every day for 15 years across multiple units.
Online Recovery Cleaning
When a unit is load and/or temperature restricted mid-run and there is no window to shut down for maintenance, FS12 is introduced to recover performance. Injected 3-4 times per day over a period of 30-90 days, depending on the severity of the fouling, FS12 can target any part of the unit loosening deposits and restoring performance. We would then recommend switching to Maintenance Dosing to prevent a drop-off in performance recurring.
Pre Shutdown Cleaning
Utilised in the run up to a shutdown to facilitate a more effective and easier clean of a unit, FS12 can be applied 3-4 times per day for a period between 30 – 90 days.This ensures that during the shutdown, cleaning is more effective, easier, quicker and any sulphuric deposits are neutralised, dry, and entry into all areas of the unit is safe and comfortable.
