Critical FCC Hot Wall Expansion Joints for Installation in the Reactor Overhead Line at a Major US Refinery
As part of one of the oldest US refineries recent plan to improve the efficiency and competitiveness by reducing energy consumption and lowering operating costs, several expansion joints were required for the FCC reactor overhead line to the fractionator.
The 48" diameter single hinged expansion joints featured with multi-ply bellows, covers, test ports and refratory lining to accomdate the flowing gas and catalyst. Pressures for these expansion joints were relatively low at 35 PSIG / 26 bar with high temperatures of 1050 deg. F / 200 deg C.
A thorough quality inspection program included a complete dimensional report, PMI report, liquid penetrant, hydrostatic, ferrite, pneumatic and radiographic testing.
Hydrocarbons from the reactor flow through the reactor overhead line into the main fractionator. The main fractionator quenches the hydrocarbon vapor and separates it into product streams. Some heat from the main fractionator is used to preheat the FCC feed stream and provide heat to the gas recovery system.
The refinery has undergone numerous upgrades and expansions to achieve its current design capacity of 160,000 barrels of crude oil daily by 2012.
EagleBurgmann
Expansion Joint Solutions
10035 Prospect Avenue
Santee CA 92071 USA
Tel.: +1 (619) 562 6083
Fax: +1 (619) 562 0636
E-mail: info@keb-ejs.com
