Hot Spots are overheated areas in high temperature equipment that are often a sign of ineffective refractory and a potential failure. They are fairly common occurrences in furnaces, boilers, and other refractory lined equipment used in the petroleum refining and chemical processing industries. If left undiagnosed, they can be very dangerous and lead to ruptures, blow outs, and process safety incidents.
A good way to detect hot spots before they become an issue is with an effective thermography inspection program. In cases where that’s not possible, temperature sensitive paints can also serve as an effective advanced warning system against hot spots. Once detected, it’s important that hot spots are examined by experienced inspectors and engineers to ensure that it doesn’t develop into something worse.
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March/April 2018 Inspectioneering Journal
By Simon Yuen, P.E. at Suncor Energy Inc., and Ken Gottselig at BP America Production Company
Hot spots – localized areas of overheating in pressure equipment – can lead to deformation or even loss of process containment. It is important to understand the effects of elevated temperature caused by hot spots on the mechanical integrity of equipment. |
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September/October 2000 Inspectioneering Journal
By John Reynolds at Intertek
This article continues to outline the 101 essential elements that need to be in place, and functioning well, to effectively and efficiently, preserve and protect the reliability and integrity of pressure equipment (vessels, exchangers, furnaces, boilers, piping, tanks, relief systems) in the refining and petrochemical industry. |
