One of the major concerns in the operation and maintenance of a primary reformer is being able to monitor and predict the behavior of the reformer tubes. Significant advances here can lead to improved reformer operation, reducing creep damage, a better balanced furnace and better planning of tube replacement, eliminating unnecessary / unplanned outages.

Over the past five years, enhancements in existing laser profilometry technology have enabled the development of a laser-based inspection tool capable of detecting and precisely quantifying creep damage in reformer catalyst tubes from day one of operation through to failure. Laser profilometry is able to gather millions of internal radii data points in a single reformer tube and present this data in a variety of formats that provide a valuable insight into furnace operation and creates a powerful decision making tool for plant operators.

Subject
Materials, Probes, Profilometry, Tubes, Creep damage, Walls, Inspection, Ammonia, Internal inspection, Furnaces, Lasers, Creep, Case studies
Keywords:
Steam Reformer, Reformer Tubes, Catalyst Tubes, Spun Cast Tubes, Alloy Tubes, Cast Tubes, HK-40, HK-45, HP-Mod, HP-Modified
© 2005 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
2005
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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