Primary reformer tube design options for increased production

摘要

KBR has provided basic engineering and detailed design to a number of ammonia plant expansion retrofits. A key item that must be evaluated, re-engineered and developed during the retrofit is the primary reformer and its various components: catalyst tubes, burners, fuel system, waste heat recovery coils, combustion air system and fans. KBR’s furnace analytical and mechanical design engineers have extensive experience in many retrofit projects and work closely with the process design team to implement an efficient and reliable primary reformer, contributing significantly to the overall success of the project. The paper will compare radiant tube size increases against the option of increasing the number of tubes in the Primary Reformer furnace. Examples of both approaches from past KBR projects will be presented.