Performance optimisation of coke drums

The efficient operation of coke drums has a significant impact on the profitability of refineries operating worldwide. ERA Technology's approach to plant operation and life management has assisted clients with performance optimisation of coke drums, helping to reduce business risks.

During operation the drums experience severe thermal cycling. The outcome is a variety of deformation modes due to thermal fatigue and creep, which can lead to bulging and circumferential weld seam cracking. ERA has unrivalled experience with in-service monitoring of coke drums and has developed a unique understanding of the deformation processes involved and the key parameters that affect coke drum integrity. This experience has been consolidated into a methodology and modelling technology known as CokerPLUS.

Benefits - Plant life assessment of coke drums can help clients:
	Reduce the coking cycle time
	Improve confidence in coke drum integrity
	Optimise performance
	Extend the life of existing plant
	Set up effective inspection and maintenance strategies
	Reduce outages and unplanned inspection / maintenance
	Save costs

ERA has pioneered the use of drum strain and temperature instrumentation to determine the interactions between operational parameters and the strain levels responsible for bulging and cracking. Variations in vapour, injected steam and quench water, plus the nature of the feedstock have been shown to have a dominant effect on coke drum integrity. Once identified, the parameters may be reviewed and, where possible, modified to substantially reduce strain levels during the coking cycle, with obvious benefits to component life.

ERA's CokerPLUS services includes:
	Strain gauge and thermocouple installation
	Finite element analysis
	Probabilistic remaining life assessment
	Operating cycle review and modification
	Condition assessment and metallographic examination
	Boat sampling and testing
	weld repair procedures

ERA provides plant life assessment management services to industry in the form technicians. ERA also supplies engineering and materials consultancy and failure investigation services to industry, loss adjusters and regulators worldwide.

ERA has developed the PLUS range of services to meet the needs of the power, oil, gas and petrochemical industry. The services all utilise ERA's unique blend of engineering, materials knowledge and process skills.

The PLUS services:
	BoilerPLUS for boiler plant
	Cat-ReformerPLUS for catalytic reformer units
	CokerPLUS for coke drums
	HeaterPLUS for fired heater plant
	ReformerPLUS for steam reformers

Failure investigation services for electrical and mechanical plant and equipment. Rotating plant services consultancy and failure services for steam and gas turbines