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INDIRECT
WATER
BATH
HEATER
Processing the Future
INDIRECT WATER BATH HEATER
General Description/Principle of Operation
The REPCo’s Indirect Water Bath Heater comprises a system of burner heated fire tubes and a manifold coil
containing the fluid to be heated all immersed in a common bath of water The Water Bath Heater is used to
transfer heat to a oil or gas stream. This is why they are referred to as “indirect heaters” (oil field terminology)
because a medium (normally water or a water glycol mix) is used to transmit heat generated by the burner
and received by gas. Most heaters are designed in accordance with API 12K and feature an expansion tank for
ease of operation.
The main principle of operation of the REPCo’s Indirect Bath Heater is efficient heat transfer so the high
pressure fluid is introduced to the heater through a choke, located on the inlet of the coil, causing an
expansion to take place immediately inside the manifold, inside the water bath, the fluid flows through the
steel coils where its temperature is raised to that required by one of the applications listed below.
Application Product Features
Water Bath Heaters are useful in
many different applications and Most heaters are designed in accordance with API 12K
scenarios. REPCo’s indirect bath heater and feature an expansion tank for ease of operation.
has been applied to many different
operations. See below for some examples,
but not limited to:
• Efficient Heat Transfer so that the high-pressure fluid
is introduced to the heater through a choke.
Power Generation • The choke is located on the inlet of the
Gas Turbine Wobbe Index control.
coil, causing an expansion to take place
immediately inside the manifold, (inside the
Gas Turbine Dew Point margins.
water bath).
Crude Oil & Natural Gas • The fluid flows through the steel coils
where its temperature is raised to
Heating high pressure gas and/or oil in oilfield production.
that required by the necessary
Heating high pressure gas from well-heads and main gas distribution application.
stations prior to pressure reduction to prevent hydrate formation.
Heating natural gas at city gate stations from main gas pipeline.
Heating oil producing well streams.
Heating highly viscous oil to reduce pumping pressure and boost pumping efficiency.
Heating light hydrocarbon liquids to superheated state for alternate or standby fuel
sources.
INDIRECT WATER BATH HEATER
Instructions
The following instructions
are valid for all REPCo’s Indirect Water Bath Heaters.
A) Installation
- Turn off any electrical power, disconnect from combustible source and
purge system of any combustibles before attempting to clean, service, or
repair unit.
PRE-BURNER IGNITION
- Close manual shut-off valve to main burner.
- Close manual fuel shut-off valve to pilot burner.
- Check for adequate liquid level above fire tube and temperature sensing
elements. View liquid level at gauge glass, or at fill hatch opening; or by
verifying flow through unit.
- Check for and stop any leaks on vessel, piping, and fuel gas instrumentation.
- Wait at least five minutes for combustibles to purge from system after
shutting off fuel valves. Be sure all areas is clear of combustibles before
lighting burner.
- Adjust fuel gas pressure.
BURNER IGNITION
- Have a suitable ignition torch long enough to reach pilot burner from pilot access opening. Insert ignition
torch next to pilot burner.
- Stand to one side of burner. Do not stand directly in front of burner. Open pilot light fuel valve.
- Remove torch while standing at one side of burner. Verify the pilot is lit after removing torch. If pilot is not lit,
repeat start-up procedure.
- Stand to one side of the burner. Open main valve slowly.
- Flame should be centred in fire tube, not to one side. Regulate burner for continuous firing when possible.
B) Preventative maintenance
Preventative maintenance is to be performed as follows:
- After start-up and with heater at operating temperature, check firebox flange bolts for tightness, inspect for
any leaks in piping or fuel gas system.
- Inspect burner and pilot light periodically to ensure it is kept clean from soot or other foreign matter.
- Pull and inspect fire tube periodically. Keep free of scale and other solids accumulation.
NOTE 1: For operation and maintenance services please refer to the dedicated REPCo Water Bath Heater
operating and maintenance manual.
Rev. 01 - 06/22
Processing the Future
[Link]
Tel. 0039 02 33611649 (r.a.) info@[Link] Viale Lancetti 43, Palazzo B
Scala 1, piano 4
20158 Milano (Italy)
