The tubular heater is a crucial heating equipment used in the oil refining, petrochemical, coal chemical, and chemical fiber industries. It has become the heart of heating, cracking, and conversion reactions in processes such as coal tar, asphalt, ethylene, gasoline and diesel hydrorefining, and hydrogen production. It plays a vital role in the production quality, product yield, energy consumption, and safe long-term operation of the entire unit. Its function in the production process is to utilize the heat energy from the combustion of fuel to heat the high-speed flowing material in the furnace tubes, reaching the required temperature for subsequent processes or undergoing chemical reactions within the tubes. Compared to other industrial furnaces, the liquid or gas flowing in the furnace tubes is typically high-temperature, high-pressure, flammable, and explosive hydrocarbons; most heated media tend to coking inside the tubes; precise control of the furnace and material temperatures is required; the heating method is direct flame heating; the main fuel is flammable and explosive liquid or gas; it poses high risks with stringent operating conditions; and requires continuous long-term operation. Therefore, the tubular heater holds a pivotal position in oil refining and petrochemical production.
Selection requirements for tubular heating furnaces: Tubular heating furnaces for oil refining and chemical industries are customized equipment. Therefore, the manufacturing of the furnace is tailored based on the construction drawings or design data sheets and relevant technical requirements provided by the customer, ensuring targeted design, manufacturing, supply, and installation to meet the diverse needs of different customers.
The composition of a tubular heating furnace: mainly consists of five major parts: the radiant chamber, the convection chamber, the waste heat recovery system, the combustion system, and the air supply and exhaust system. Its main auxiliary equipment includes the fan for air supply, the induced draft fan, and the air preheater.
