What is fired Heater
& how it works
Fired Heater P.1
• A device in which heat liberated by the
combustion of fuel within an internally
insulated enclosure is transferred to fluid
contained in tubular coils
• Is defined in terms of its design heat-
absorption capability -DUTY-
• Major Duty ranges 10-350 million Btu/hr
Fired Heater P.1
1.Column Reboilers
• feed is a recirculating
liquid from distillation
column
• partially vaporized & the
mixed vapor-liquid stream
re-enter the colum, where
the vapor condenses
&releases the heat of
vaporization
• outlet temp. 400-550 F
200-300 C
2.fractionating-colum
feed preheater
• feed "usually all liquid "
sent to the fired heaters
following upstream
preheated in unfired
equipment
• fluid temp. Raised enough
to achieve partial
vaporization 60%
3.Reactor-feed
heater
raising charge-stock temp. to
a level necessary for
controlling a chemical
reaction taking place in
reactor vessel
4.Heat supplied to
viscous fluids
Fired heater employed to
warm the oil to a temperature
that will facilitate pumping
5.fired-reactors
• In which a chemical reaction
occurs within the tube coils
• Ex. -Steam hydrocarbon
reformer heaters-in which
the tubes of the combustion
chamber function
indvidually as vertical
vessels filled with nickel-
bearing catalyst.in reformers
that yield H2
Fired Heater P.1
• Direct fired heaters • Fire tube heaters
where the combustion gases occupy most where the combustion gases are contained
of the heater volume and heat the in a fire tube that is surrounded by a liquid
process stream contained in pipes that fills the heater shell. This liquid may
arranged in front of refractory walls be either the process stream or a heat
transfer medium that surrounds the coil
bundle containing the process stream
• Cylindrical • Cabin
Require the smallest plot area for a Cabins can accommodate side-firing or end-
given duty. firing burners instead of only vertically
upward firing. This permits the floor of the
heater to be closer to the ground. (Some
burner manufacturers prefer to fire liquid
fuels horizontally.)
• coil arrangements
The principal classification of fired heaters , related to the
orientation of the heating coil in the radiation section
horizontal, vertical, helical
Vertical – Cylindrical
vertical coil, with cross flow convection sec.
• Cabin Fired Heater
Horizontal coil
Fired Heater P.1
• The major components of a furnace are
the radiant section (firebox), convection section, stack, burner fuel system, and
process fluid coil
• Fire Box (Radiation Section )
• The radiant tubes, either horizontal or vertical, are located along the walls in the radiant section
of the heater and receive radiant heat direct from the burners
• The tube bank must be enclosed by a firebox to prevent the loss of heat from the burners to the
atmosphere . Also it must prevent air leakage into the furnace
• Convection Section
• The convection section is located in the path of the hot products of combustion , between the
radiant section and the stack
• The convection section removes heat from the flue gas to preheat the contents of the tubes and
significantly reduces the temperature of the flue gas exiting the stack
• Shield Section
• Just below the convection section is the shield (or shock tube) section, containing rows of tubing
which shield the convection tubes from the direct radiant heat
• Stack and Breeching
• The stack is connected to the furnace by a breaching or a flue gas duct
• The height of the stack provides sufficient draft in a natural draft furnace for proper combustion
of the fuel ,also releases the flue gas at a safe location
• Stack and Breeching
• The stack is connected to the furnace by a breaching or a flue gas duct
• The height of the stack provides sufficient draft in a natural draft furnace for proper combustion
of the fuel ,also releases the flue gas at a safe location
• Dampers are fitted into the stack , which are usually butterfly valves to give control of the draft
within the firebox , and maintain a negative pressure within the firebox
•Tubes
• They are necessary to direct the flow of oil through the
heater
• The type of steel used depends upon the process
conditions and nature of process oil
• As Chrome content increase , the tube heat resistance
increase
• Adding (nickel, molybdenum) to increase corrosion &
heat resistance
• .5% silicon content to increase oxidation resistance or
exterior scaling resistance
•Tubes
• Header Boxes
• One way to join the tube ends is with a rolled header
• To provide access for tube inspection and mechanical
cleaning, the headers have removable plugs.
• the headers are enclosed in what is called the header
box
• The header box helps to cut down on heat losses from
the headers and tube ends
• The header box serves to isolate and contain any leaks Rolled header
or fires. Most header boxes are equipped with a
steam line for smothering fires.
• another way that the tube ends can be joined
together. This design is called a return bend
• Return bends are normally used where heat levels
are low and no coking or corrosion problems are
likely, or expected. Since there are no removable
plugs, return bends are less likely to leak than rolled
headers.
• Header Boxes
• One way to join the tube ends is with a rolled header
• To provide access for tube inspection and mechanical
cleaning, the headers have removable plugs.
• the headers are enclosed in what is called the header
box
• The header box helps to cut down on heat losses from
the headers and tube ends
• The header box serves to isolate and contain any leaks
or fires. Most header boxes are equipped with a
steam line for smothering fires.
• another way that the tube ends can be joined
together. This design is called a return bend
• Return bends are normally used where heat levels
are low and no coking or corrosion problems are
likely, or expected. Since there are no removable
plugs, return bends are less likely to leak than rolled
headers.
• Explosion doors
• Explosion doors are installed on the outside walls of some furnaces and in case of an
explosion , these hinged doors will swing open and release the pressure.
• This helps to prevent damage in the firebox
• Explosion doors
• Explosion doors are installed on the outside walls of some furnaces and in case of an
explosion , these hinged doors will swing open and release the pressure.
• This helps to prevent damage in the firebox
• Access Doors
• Access doors are also on exterior walls to allow access to the furnace for inspection and
maintenance during shutdowns. All doors should be closed and bricked-up to prevent leakage
any air leakage into the firebox reduces the draft and affect the efficiency of the furnace
• Peepholes
• Peepholes have hinged or swinging covers and are installed on outside walls of the furnace to
allow visual examination of the flames and tubes
• They should be closed when not in use to prevent air leakage
• Peepholes
• Peepholes have hinged or swinging covers and are installed on outside walls of the furnace to
allow visual examination of the flames and tubes
• They should be closed when not in use to prevent air leakage
• Soot Blowers
Are to blow soot off the tubes in the convection section .
There are tow types
» Fixed soot blower remains in the convection section all the time
» Retractable soot blower only enters the convection section when it is soot blowing
Eng./M.Abdelrazek
Senior Process Engineer
Mob. +201276677591
Email [email protected]
