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We are operating Born Canada Vertical furnace in our refinery for crude oil distillation. It is being observed that some tubes comes closer to each other. And some are swinging like pendulum although we are operating at 80% of design flow rate. Can you share reason of this behaviour.
 
Answers
29/10/2014 A: Eric Vetters, ProCorr Consulting Services, ewvetters@yahoo.com
Have you looked at what flow regime you are in? I have certainly seen the outlet piping of heaters move quite a lot. I suspect you might be getting something like slug flow going on. Lower rates could easily make such a problem get worse.
I'm more used to looking in horizontal furnaces, where it is not at all unusual to see tubes that have bowed or deformed significantly. They can do this and still be ok from a mechanical integrity standpoint. Suggest though you get someone with expertise in the area to evaluate your tubes to see wihether they are fit for service. This situation often arises when the tubes have been overheated.