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DKL Engineering, Inc.
Handbook of Sulphuric Acid Manufacturing
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Maintenance and Inspection - Anodically
Protected Shell and Tube Exchangers
September 12, 2003
Introduction Maintenance and Inspection Schedule Cleaning Tube Plugging Reference Electrode Main and Pin Cathode |
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The vendors operating and maintenance instructions and procedures should be followed at all times and take precedence over the following maintenance instructions.
Maintenance and Inspection Schedule
Regular inspection of the acid cooler will ensure that the exchanger will provide trouble free operation throughout the life of the plant.
Shift |
|
Shutdown |
|
Maintenance | within first 3 months |
After first Year |
Annual |
Reference Electrode | Not required | Yes | Yes |
Main and Pin Cathode | Not required | Yes | Dependent on last inspection |
Shell Side - Acid | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Tube Side - Water | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Shell Side - Acid
After the first three months of operation the cooler should be inspected internally via the inspection ports located on the shell. The condition of the shell, the tube surfaces and all visible internals should be inspected and records made of there condition. Thereafter, the shell side should be inspected on an annual basis.
Tube Side - Water
After the fist three (3) months of operation, the cooler should be inspected by removing the water box inspection port covers. The condition of the water box, tubesheet welds and tube boxes should be inspected and records made of their condition. If there is debris blocking any tubes, the water box end covers should be removed and every tube inspected to ensure that they are clear along their entire length. In particular the tubes should be checked for sludge or scale accumulation.
The cooler should be inspected at least once a year following the initial three month inspection.
The high water velocities within the tubes during normal operation is generally effective in keeping scale and sludge formation to a minimum. If tube should require cleaning, hydroblasting using a lance is recommended. If further cleaning is required, mechanical turbining may be required.
The manufacturer generally provides after sales service to perform acid cooler inspections and maintenance if required.
The manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the
acid cooler should be followed. The following is a general guideline for cleaning the acid
cooler on both the tube and shell side.
Tube Side
Fouling or scaling on the tube side of the acid cooler can easily be removed by hydroblasting each tube. If further cleaning is required mechanical turbining of each tube can be performed.
If heavy calcium of phosphate scaling has occurred the tube side may need to be chemically cleaned. A hot solution of formic acid (< 12 wt% @ 65 to 95oC) can be re-circulated through the tubes to remove scaling. As the unit is cleaned the acid concentration will decrease. Additional formic acid should be added to maintain the original acid concentration. When the acid concentration remains constant for a period of time, the unit is clean.
Shell Side
Cleaning of the shell side can only be done by chemical means. A 2 wt% solution of sodium hydroxide is re-circulated through the shell side of the cooler at a temperature of 80 to 95oC. Concentrated sodium hydroxide is added to maintain the pH of the cleaning solution above pH 8. The cleaning solution should be circulated for a minimum of 2 hours.
When the chemical cleaning is completed, the caustic solution must be thoroughly drained from the cooler and the unit flushed completely with fresh water. When all water is drained from the cooler it is ready to be returned to service.
In all cases, water with low chlorides must be used for the chemical cleaning solutions and for flushing the equipment afterwards.
If a leaking tube is found, the tube must be plugged before the cooler can be returned to service. If a lot of tubes have been plugged, the thermal performance of the cooler may no longer be adequate and the cooler must be re-tubed or replaced.
Tube plugging kits are usually available from the manufacturer. Plugs are either a piece tapered plug or a two piece tapered plug and ring constructed of Alloy 20. The kit may also include tools such as a reamer, wire brush, socket drive, and cutting fluid for stainless steel.
In general, the procedure for plugging a tube is as follows:
Using a stainless steel wire brush clean the area around the tube.
Wash the area with water and dry completely
Ream out the tube. The reaming tool will also cut into the face of the tube-to-tubesheet weld to create a flat surface for welding.
Insert the ring piece so that it sit flush against the face of the tube-to-tubesheet weld.
Insert the tapered plug and set with several sharp blows with a hammer.
Weld the plug to the ring and the ring to the face of the tubesheet using a continuous bead.
The most common problems with the reference
electrodes usually relate to acid leakage and mechanical damage. After
each year of operation the electrodes should be removed and checked for
cleanliness and soundness of the PTFE insulator. Care should be taken not
to bend or break the platinum element. PTFE tape must be used on the
1/2" NPT thread. The seal nut should be tightened securely to ensure
against leakage.
CAUTION: Do not
pull on the platinum element as it could come out of the PTFE insulator and
release a jet of acid.
It is imperative that all electrical connections be sound. A ground or short will not burn the fuses and therefore it will not be easily located.
The main and pin cathode rods must be removed for inspection after the first year of service. The condition of the cathodes will indicate the frequency for future inspections.
CAUTION: Do not adjust pin cathodes with acid in the cooler.