System for On-Line Spalling of a Coker

Abstract

Coker heater operation is improved by on-line spalling of coker heater pipes. In one embodiment an off-line pipe is added to the on-line coker heater pipes. When an on-line pipe is to be spalled, flow is diverted to the offline pipe allowing for full operation of the coker heater. In another embodiment, a thermal transfer resistant zone plate is movably mounted in the radiant section of the coker heater. By moving the zone plate from an operating position to a spalling position and adjusting the temperature of the plurality of burners, the temperature of the pipes in the zone of the heater radiant section to be spalled can be lowered, while the temperature in the remaining zones of the heater radiant section are fully operational.

1 . A system for on-line spalling of a pipe adapted for use with a coker heater comprising:
 a plurality of on-line pipes positioned in the coker heater;   an off-line pipe positioned in the coker heater;   a first valve moving between an open position and a closed position for controlling the flow of liquid hydrocarbons to one of said plurality of on-line pipes; and   a second valve moving between an open position and a closed position for controlling the flow of liquid hydrocarbons to said off-line pipe whereby when said first valve is in the closed position for spalling said one of said plurality of on-line pipes, said second valve is in the open position for flow of liquid hydrocarbons.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of pipes are in a substantially horizontal orientation. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of pipes are in a substantially vertical orientation. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first valve and said second valve are a diverter valve. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said diverter valve is a three-way valve. 
   
   
       6 . A system for on-line spalling of a pipe adapted for use with a coker heater comprising:
 a plurality of on-line pipes positioned in the coker heater;   an off-line pipe positioned in the coker heater; and   diverter means for moving a flow of liquid from one of said plurality of on-line pipes to said off-line pipe.   
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein said diverter means comprising a valve. 
   
   
       8 . A system for on-line spalling of a pipe adapted for use with a coker heater having a radiant section comprising:
 a plurality of pipes positioned in the coker heater radiant section;   a plurality of spaced apart burners to provide heat in the coker heater radiant section; and   a zone plate movable between an operating position and a spalling position for insulating the pipe to be spalled from the heat of some of the burners.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said zone plate is a thermal transfer resistant barrier. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said zone plate is pivotable. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said zone plate is fabricated from chrome. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the heat provided by each of the plurality of burners is set relative to the position of said zone plate to lower the heat to the zone where the pipe is to be spalled. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the heat of each of the plurality of burners is adjustable. 
   
   
       14 . A system for on-line spalling of a pipe adapted for use with a coker heater having a radiant section comprising:
 a plurality of pipes positioned in the coker heater radiant section;   a plurality of spaced apart burners to provide heat in the coker heater radiant section; and   insulator means for insulating the pipe to be spalled from the heat of at least one of said burners.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said insulator means comprising a zone plate. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said zone plate is a thermal transfer resistant barrier. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said zone plate is pivotable. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said zone plate is fabricated from chrome. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the heat provided by each of the plurality of burners is set relative to the position of said insulator means to lower the heat where the pipe is to be spalled. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the heat provided by each of the plurality of burners is adjustable.