(73f) Best Practices for Inlet Cone Refractory of Transfer Line Exchangers

Ethylene cracking furnaces utilize waste heat exchangers to recover waste heat.  As hot cracked gas exits the furnace, the gas cools and transfers the waste heat into high pressure steam for plant consumption. The device used to convert this energy into steam is referred to as a transfer line exchanger or TLE.  The inlet cone of a TLE has a refractory lining, which provides mechanical resistance to creep and high temperature induced failures.  The re-lining of this cone is a routine maintenance activity based on time and durability. 

This paper will describe best practices for reliable, useful life of TLE inlet cone refractory.  This information is intended to set a standard for minimum expected life and solutions from two ethylene sites.  The experiences of these two units and responses from other sites are offered as a basis for a preventative maintenance program based on time and service expectations as well as materials and surface preparation.