The furnace tubes of the hydrogen production converter were heated red-hot
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For a hydrogen production plant, during the second ignition of the 50,000 Nm3/h converter, it was found that some of the furnace tubes were red-hot, while many other tubes showed a mottled red-hot appearance. Could you please tell me what causes this?
The photo isn’t very clear. Red tubes are generally caused by catalyst poisoning, an imbalance in the water-to-carbon ratio, catalyst carbon deposition, and catalyst bridging. Based on your description, it’s likely poisoning
The two red lines on the right side of the photo represent the furnace tubes that have been heated to a red heat; the entire tubes are red-hot
Is there uneven burning, with the catalyst adhering to the furnace tubes?
The catalyst is ruined; coking has already occurred.
It’s probably coking; try increasing the water-to-carbon ratio
Is this condition reversible? Will the furnace tubes being in such a condition affect their metallic properties? Based on your previous experience, should the furnace tubes be replaced given their current state? Is the only solution to catalyst coking to replace it?
How can this situation be resolved? Replace the catalyst?
The catalyst can be inspected; if it is only coked, it can be blown clean with steam. The furnace tubes are usually red during normal operation; as long as there is no leakage, there should be no problem.
I would like to wait until the furnace is shut down before testing the furnace tubes to see if there are any changes in their metallic properties. May I ask what method you used to test the furnace tubes in your previous work?
Measure it with a handheld elemental analyzer to see if there are any significant changes in the composition; mainly, samples need to be taken for metallographic examination