Short Duration Overheating in a Steam Reformer: Consequences to the Catalyst Tubes

Short Duration Overheating in a Steam Reformer: Consequences to the Catalyst Tubes

Catalytic reformer furnaces (steam reformers) produce hydrogen-rich gas by cracking natural gas or naphtha in the presence of steam and a catalyst. This hydrogen-rich gas is a raw material in different petrochemical processes and is also used in the hydrotreating process in petroleum refineries. Une...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of failure analysis and prevention Vol. 13; no. 6; pp. 779 - 786
Main Authors: URIBE PEREZ, Iván, NOGUEIRA JUNIOR, Laudemiro, DE OLIVEIRA BUENO, Levi, HENRIQUE DE ALMEIDA, Luiz, FERNANDO DA SILVEIRA, Tito
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Materials Park, OH ASM International 01-12-2013
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Exact sciences and technology
Fractures
Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology
Metals. Metallurgy
Ageing
Rupture
Cracking
Reformer processes
Creep strength
Reformer furnaces
Alloy steel
Overload
Overheated structure
Aging
Microstructure
Catalyst
HP steel
Overheating
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Summary:Catalytic reformer furnaces (steam reformers) produce hydrogen-rich gas by cracking natural gas or naphtha in the presence of steam and a catalyst. This hydrogen-rich gas is a raw material in different petrochemical processes and is also used in the hydrotreating process in petroleum refineries. Unexpected operational failures of these reformers can cause major economic losses. These failures can happen when the feedstock flow, that cools the catalyst tubes located in the radiation chamber, is unintentionally restricted without also reducing the fuel burn rate. The thermal imbalance created in this situation can quickly produce a temperature surge large enough to cause the failure of the catalyst tubes through formation of large longitudinal cracks. This paper discusses a case of a temperature surge followed by the rupture of 13 catalyst tubes. The data show that the catalyst tubes that survived the event may retain sufficient structural integrity to return to normal operation.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:1547-7029
1864-1245
DOI:10.1007/s11668-013-9751-9