Fired Heaters

To Elizabeth and Norman. This is Earl from Bakersfield. We blew-up a heater and injured seven operators after a tube leak on a vacuum heater. How could we have prevented this accident? We had tried to use snuffing steam on a previous tube leak incident, but it blew the burning oil out of the box.

--Best Regards. Earl, California


Earl. Snuffing steam is absolutely necessary to preclude an explosive mix from forming when the leaking tube passes are blocked-in. It reduces the air that could cause the explosive mixture. Your problem is that you are not maintaining the steam tracing, insulation, and steam traps on the snuffing steam supply lines. Blowing water into the fire box will blow the fire out of the box and is very dangerous. I’m speaking from personal experience at the Good Hope Refinery in Norco, Louisiana. As you block in the leaking tube, add steam to the fire box, but it has to be reasonably dry and free of water.

--Norm. Regards from Liz.