Hello,

This is complete write up of the ppt “precautions before expansion” submitted earlier; Please
feel free to send your feedback.

Warm regards;

Devendra.

“Precaution before Expansion”

Friends, If you are expanding, It is important to plan in advance.

In case of Thermic fluid, following points are very important.

1. Generation of heat.
2. Carrying / Delivering heat.
3. Absorption of heat.
4. Thermic Oil.
5. Utility requirement.

Generation of heat:
Please ensure that there is excess capacity available on the heater. Consider Higher heat
demand during winter/monsoon.

A simple way to check:

1. Check if you are burning full rated fuel.
2. Check stack temperature and surface temperatures.
3. What is the On-Off frequency of heater?

Heat Delivery:
It is critical to have well-designed velocities at piping. We have to consider various numbers
such as Reynolds no, Prandtl no, LMTD for proper heat transfer. Apart from the selection of
pipe, Gasket, Nut bolts, Insulation (Flanges have a different method of Insulation in Thermic
fluid system), ensure proper velocities. (Slower velocity helps in settling of carbon)

We may have to install additional secondary (Booster) pump to carry heat to the utility.
People prefer to have only one pump hence Increase the capacity of the Primary pump. This
increases pressure drop, Leads to more power consumption. Motor HP will increase.
Remember, Thermic fluid pump is centrifugal pump which has drooping characteristic curve.
Due to resistance the flow decreases. Instead, Add secondary circuit – secondary pump for
delivery of heat.
Absorption:
Again Surface cleanliness, velocity, time & turbulence will decide heat absorption.

Oil:
Any additional utility will increase total oil hold up. It will also add to the additional
expansion of oil. Hence we may have to design for an additional expansion tank. Design tank
in such a way that the tank temperature NEVER crosses 60°C. In some areas, we have found
that the temperature initially crosses 90°C – 100°C which over a period of time reduces to
70°C. This still induces oxidation – degradation of oil.

Deaeration is another problem we face after expansion. As deaeration also needs designed
velocity. Ensure Deaeration tank is designed to suit the operating velocity.

Ensure to install side stream filtration upto 5 microns only. This will work as kidney; filtering
out unwanted floating carbon, viscous material, Dirt, Dust etc.

Utility:
Check velocity, temperature required and pressure drop across the utility. Sizing of nozzles
may indicate flow requirement. Length of pipes, bends and number of valves decide pressure
drop. Accordingly, we may have to size the secondary pump flow.

Please take care of problems before expanding; Get higher oil life, Prevent loss of oil,
Manpower cost, Avoid forced shutdown and enjoy the fruits of expansion - troublefree.

“A Well designed system pays for itself.”

Contact Eximious for TF system design.