Using hydrogen to save time and costs
- The challenge
Cooling down a reactor while reducing expensive downtime
- The impact
Reactor cooldown in 1 day, instead of 3
- The solution
Using Hydrogen instead of Nitrogen
Client:Refinery
Location:Italy
Sectors:Petrochem plants - Process enhancement
The challenge
Cooling down a reactor while reducing expensive downtime
Our client, one of Italy’s largest refiners, set us a challenge. To reduce the time it takes to cool down a reactor from the standard 5 days to just 3 days.
Helping them to maximise maintenance time, saving $1 million a day, while maintaining high levels of efficiency and security.
Time was crucial. Every hour carries considerable costs, leaving no room for delays. We needed a solution that was right, first time. And we needed it fast, with just 3 weeks from first design to final decommissioning.
Helping them to maximise maintenance time, saving $1 million a day, while maintaining high levels of efficiency and security.
Time was crucial. Every hour carries considerable costs, leaving no room for delays. We needed a solution that was right, first time. And we needed it fast, with just 3 weeks from first design to final decommissioning.
The solution
Using Hydrogen instead of Nitrogen
For years, we have used nitrogen to cool down reactors rapidly. However, in our quest for better performance, we have designed a game-changing solution. For the first time, we have used hydrogen instead.
Our experts proposed a fully engineered system with mechanical chillers, heat exchangers, centrifugal pumps, process drums, power generators, and all associated piping.
Our solution represents a significant advantage by effectively reducing the critical path, enabling smoother and more efficient operations.
Our experts proposed a fully engineered system with mechanical chillers, heat exchangers, centrifugal pumps, process drums, power generators, and all associated piping.
Our solution represents a significant advantage by effectively reducing the critical path, enabling smoother and more efficient operations.
The impact
Reactor cooldown in 1 day, instead of 3
Challenged to reduce the time it takes to cool down a reactor, our solution went above and beyond, surpassing all client expectations. From the standard industry 5 days to just 1 day, saving $4 million in downtime and lost profit.
The successful implementation of this hydrogen-based solution delivered tangible benefits to our customer, while demonstrating our expertise and commitment to innovation.