Case Study
The Unique Place of Temporary Heat Exchangers for Petrochemicals and Refining
With technology tracing back to over 150 years ago , heat exchangers have undergone major developments and advancements across a range of industries – from oil and gas to food and beverage . For modern-day petrochemicals and refining , heat exchangers play an especially critical role .
By Hinal Patel , Business Optimization Advisor – Petrochemical & Refining at Aggreko North America
Used to transfer heat between a source and a working fluid , heat exchangers maintain heating and cooling streams in a process plant to ensure essential , smooth process operations .
A vital source of fuels , lubricants , and feedstock for plastic production , the petrochemical and refining industries rely on heat exchangers as a critical component to ensure high-quality final outputs .
With over one hundred operable petroleum refineries , the United States is home to some of the largest petrochemical and refining facilities in the world . With a range of hazards , from fires and explosions to toxicity , keeping these facilities running safely is of the utmost importance , and their critical role in the production of petrochemical goods makes heat exchangers an essential link in the petroleum-based supply chain .
Hastelloy-C heat exchanger .
Temporary Solutions
With heat exchangers being as important as they are for petrochemical applications , there must be a wide range of solutions available to fit the needs of plants and refineries . While permanent exchangers may be a useful addition to an industrial plant ’ s operation , sometimes temporary solutions are needed . Why choose a temporary solution when you can purchase one of your own ?
For starters , mobile power offerings can be installed immediately , allowing plants to stay up and running in the event of utility failures and emergencies – without compromising efficiency and cost . Many systems can have a lead time of 6-8 months or more , and as a refiner , you willl likely need that solution sooner rather than later .
With temporary technology providers , a team of technical experts and engineers assess your existing equipment and systems for risks , then recommend , design , and implement the best remedy for your plant .
Maybe your heat exchanger is down for maintenance , or the one you need is back-ordered . A temporary system allows you to continue regularly scheduled work , lightening the load until a permanent solution is in place . Tailor-made to each customer , temporary solutions provide a unique solution to individualized needs – without the commitment of purchasing expensive equipment . Several firms offer temporary exchangers , but only a handful specialize in those that meet the stringent needs of the petrochemical and refining industries . Aggreko , the world ’ s leading provider of mobile power solutions , specializes in temporary power generation , heating , cooling , and dehumidification equipment for the petrochemical and refining industries . Aggreko offers a large inventory of heat exchangers on the market , and its experience with several real-world projects shows the various ways temporary exchangers can be used in the petroleum world .
Offering Exchangers on The Market
Aggreko prides itself on delivering unique solutions , providing not only equipment for your project , but the support of a team of specialized engineers capable of developing the solution that best meets your plant ’ s needs . Temporary solution providers can quickly provide contaminant-free , refinery-grade exchangers to ensure process optimization – resulting in huge operational expenditure reductions .
Aggreko offers a range of top-level heat exchangers available on the market : smaller shell and tube heat exchangers , larger heat exchangers exceeding 5,000 square feet , and specialized units such as Hastelloy-C heat exchangers , unlike any others available .
The Large Node heat exchangers from Aggreko are some of the largest on the market , enabling petrochemical and refinery customers to reduce their carbon footprint by replacing several smaller heat exchangers with a single one .
12 Stainless Steel World Americas - August 2024 | www . ssw-americas . com