Patent ID: 8776340
Filing Date: 2014-07-15
Classification: B01J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for replacing tubes in a unit for reforming hydrocarbons or other sources of carbon and hydrogen using a combustion chamber comprising burners and tubes, each tube having a wall, a surface, and a working life, the tubes being filled with catalyst and being capable of being passed through by a mixture of hydrocarbons and steam, the working life of each of the tubes being determined from the first use following its incorporation into the combustion chamber, the burners being arranged so as to transfer heat from their combustion to the mixture of hydrocarbons and steam through the wall of the tubes, wherein with each launch of a new production run the following steps are carried out: taking X-ray photographs of the tubes; making a replica of the outer surface of the tubes; inspecting said X-ray photographs and said replicas; and replacing a tube with a new tube when, its replica indicates thermal aging such that an absence of secondary precipitates between primary precipitates is observed.