Aker Solutions' indirect fired heaters are designed to heat a process fluid 'indirectly' through a hot utility bath instead of being heated directly by flame or hot furnace. This ensures uniform and safe operation avoiding hot spots where the process fluid could be degraded or cooked.
![[Image]](/Global/Drilling%20Technologies/Process%20Systems/Aberdeen/indirect%20fired%20heaters.jpg "[Image]")
Hot spots with their accumulation of carbon on the fluid side are self aggravating and if not detected can lead to ruptures, explosions and fires. In the water bath heater, the vessel is filled with water or a mixture of water and glycol. In colder climates a mixture of water and glycol is used for the bath to prevent freezing. Hot oil bath heaters can also be supplied where higher temperatures are required.
Types of heat sources include oil, gas, dual fuel (oil and gas), electricity and steam. Heating medium chosen is dependant on the temperature difference required for the process fluid. This will depend on inlet temperature and required outlet temperature. A fire tube and process coil is submerged in the bath, which transfers heat to the process stream in the coil.
Applications
- Crude oil preheat to separators or desalters
- Crude oil preheat between head and pipeline
- Heating gas from the well to prevent hydrocarbon hydrate formation
- Fuel gas dew point control systems associated with gas turbine power plants
- Heating high pressure hydrocarbon gas streams at pressure reduction stations
- Liquid/gas vaporisation. (Heater acts as a vaporiser/superheater
- Reboiler and stabiliser process heater