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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Heatric has been supplying and supporting customers in their operation for over 30 years and has thousands of exchangers in operation. The following is a selection of some of the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding Heatric, its technologies, and its services:

QuestionResponse
What sort of process filtration do PCHEs require?Heatric recommends that strainers are fitted on all PCHEs as a preventative maintenance action. As each Heatric PCHE is a bespoke product for individual applications, the strainer requirements are dictated by a number of variables such as:

·         Fluid viscosity

·         Particulate size

·         Operational pressure

·         Operational flow rate

·         System configuration / environment

When the correct filtration is utilised in the system, both the lifecycle of heat exchangers and unit uptime is increased significantly.
How does the cost of PCHEs compare with alternative heat exchanger technologies?Heatric has produced units weighing less than 100kg and units weighing more than 100 tonnes, utilising a range of materials including 316L stainless steel and Inconel 617. This broad range of bespoke exchangers makes it functionally impossible to accurately produce a typical price.

The CAPEX cost for systems that utilise Heatric’s PCHEs rapidly drops when the benefits in structural savings are taken into consideration. As Heatric’s PCHEs are up to 85% smaller than competitive technologies the reduction in structural costs, such as pipework and skid volume, can be substantial. On one particular project the operator estimated that they were able to save the equivalent of a full deck of their platform, and up to £10 million of project costs, by utilising Heatric’s PCHEs.
Do PCHEs need to be cleaned? How often do they need to be cleaned?The requirements for PCHE cleaning are determined by a number of factors, including the operating conditions and maintenance strategy.

Use of the correct filtration can massively reduce, and at times even eliminate, the need for cleaning. The Heatric Services team works closely with customers to ensure that the best practices are established during the commissioning phase including filtration requirements and preventative maintenance programmes.

When the operational requirements mean that cleans are necessary, Heatric can provide guidance on the most effective way to clean PCHEs.
What maintenance do PCHEs require?The maintenance requirements of PCHEs are determined by a number of considerations, such as the duty and the use of appropriate filtration (where required). When Heatric designs PCHEs the operational conditions are incorporated into the approach and accommodations are made to ensure maximum uptime. This can include items such as maintenance nozzles to improve the effectiveness of cleaning, anti-freeze processes built into the design or online deriming facilities to remove build-ups of wax and hydrates.

With these bespoke design considerations, preventative-maintenance programmes and a dedicated Services team, Heatric supplies PCHEs that are specifically engineered to minimise maintenance requirements whilst ensuring effective and efficient processes.
What aftersales support does Heatric offer? The Heatric Services department is a dedicated team that offer a range of support options for Heatric’s exchangers including (but not limited to):

·         On-site assessments

·         Cleans

·         Spare units and spare parts

·         Re-cores

·         Strainers and filtrations

·         Bespoke preventative maintenance programmes

Given the wide range of process conditions that Heatric’s exchangers are utilised in, the maintenance needs of each unit vary considerably. The Heatric Services department tailors each solution to meet the specific needs of both the unit and the customer.


For more information on these subjects and others, send a message directly through the 
enquiry page or contact Heatric on:

+44 (0) 1202 627 000