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Avoid production stoppages by upgrading out-of-date unit to new model
Over time, the tubes in Coker heater units become caked from the process of extracting viable product from heavy crude. The client’s 90F-1 heater required periodic cleaning to continue functioning optimally. But it had also become outdated. They opted to replace the unit with a newer model that would allow online spalling and thereby reduce downtime.
The client awarded C&I the detail design contract after another engineering firm failed to meet their expectations during the definition stage. This required us to quickly acclimate ourselves to what the previous engineers had done so that we could meet the project timeframe of nine months. Our work included the management and IFC of numerous P&IDs and LDT,
the development of process/instrument transmittal, reviewing and updating a HYSYS model, sizing relief valves, providing input into equipment datasheets, and reviewing vendor prints.
The project called for high alloy pipe that had to be modeled and fabricated in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We provided quality assurance as the heater components were being built by hiring a third party to conduct periodic inspections at the shop. When the work was concluded, we handled the logistics of shipping the equipment from the fabricator to the refinery. Installation of the new heater and its peripheral equipment went smoothly and the new heater was brought online on-time and without issue.
