Impact Factor (2025): 6.9
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
Shell and
tube heat exchangers play a vital role in refinery operations by ensuring
efficient heat transfer. However, corrosion significantly impacts their
performance, reliability, and lifespan, leading to potential operational risks.
This study assesses the corrosion rate and remaining lifetime of the shell and
tube heat exchanger XXX-E-XX using Eddy Current Testing (ECT) for tube bundles
and Ultrasonic Thickness (UT) measurement for the shell. The objective is to
evaluate the extent of material degradation and predict the remaining service
life based on API standards. Corrosion rates are determined by analyzing
thickness reduction from historical inspection data, covering the period from
2016 to 2020. The results indicate that the corrosion rate of tube bundles
ranges from 0.105 to 0.21 mm/y, while the shell exhibits a wider corrosion rate
variation of 0.095 to 0.535 mm/y. The estimated remaining lifetime for tube
bundles is between 5.28 and 14.56 years, whereas the shell components range
from 1.89 to 43.09 years. To enhance operational reliability, periodic
inspections, predictive maintenance strategies, and material improvements are
recommended. These findings provide valuable insights into maintenance planning
and longevity assessment of heat exchangers in refinery applications.
Country : Indonesia
IRJIET, Volume 9, Issue 5, May 2025 pp. 254-262