Remaining Life of Coke Drums
The definition of “end-of-life” depends on applicable laws, risk tolerance, shutdown constraints, and availability and cost of repair facilities. Because of these factors, the “end of life” for coke drums at one refinery can be totally different from that at another. Also, a conventional fitness-for-service assessment requires a precise definition of loads which is not available in coke drums due to the random nature of coke bed channeling. This is why the assessment of coke drums requires highly-specialized technical expertise and a profound understanding of their failure modes.
HES' proprietary assessment techniques and its patented design and retrofit methods have made it possible to extend the economic life of coke drums for decades after first crack. Utilizing these technologies, HES clients have successfully managed coke drum failures and many have abandoned scheduled drum replacements in favor of a life extension approach.
HES' proprietary assessment techniques and its patented design and retrofit methods have made it possible to extend the economic life of coke drums for decades after first crack. Utilizing these technologies, HES clients have successfully managed coke drum failures and many have abandoned scheduled drum replacements in favor of a life extension approach.
HES helps clients develop customized integrity management strategies for their coke drums. Recommendations are developed after identifying likely failure modes, reviewing current inspection and maintenance procedures, and recommending inspection and engineering guidelines designed to extend the life of coke drums and effectively manage their integrity.
