Benefits of next-generation anti-coking products documented
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A. - Surface Engineered Products Corp., a subsidiary of The Westaim Corporation, released a technical paper yesterday to senior ethylene industry representatives highlighting the strong performance of CoatAlloyTM coating. The paper, presented at the 1999 Spring National Meeting of Ethylene Producers hosted by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), was co-authored by Union Texas Petrochemicals (UTP) Corporation; ethylene furnace designer Kellogg Brown & Root Inc; and Surface Engineered Products.
Based on a 12-month study, the paper details the results of commercial testing at UTP’s Geismar, Louisiana plant using a Millisecond Furnace supplied by Kellogg Brown & Root. After one year in a high-severity furnace, the study found that CoatAlloyTM coating had significantly reduced coke build-up and provided superior tube surface protection. The CoatAlloyTM coating also demonstrated the thermal and mechanical properties for sustained operation under the severe conditions of the UTP ethylene furnace.
The paper’s co-authors, Michael P. Bergeron, Process Improvement Engineer, UTP, Thomas F. McCall, Technology Development Manager, Kellogg Brown & Root and Edward Maharajh, Vice-President Sales and Marketing, Surface Engineered Products, concluded that the buildup of carbon (coke) was significantly reduced by the CoatAlloyTM coating. This results in the belief that ethylene producers can run longer or operate at increased severity using CoatAlloyTM and thereby increase overall ethylene production from their plants.
Metallurgical examination of tubes in service for one year indicate that the protective CoatAlloyTM coating was still in place and no evidence of carburization was observed. In comparison, uncoated tubes in operation for one year in the same furnace exhibited significantly higher coking rates on average, and in some areas had begun to carburize.
“The successful test with UTP is a significant step in the commercial recognition of our CoatAlloyTM coating,” said Ted Redmond, President of Surface Engineered Products. “We have received strong interest in the technical paper and in our product from the many ethylene producers in attendance at the conference.”
The build-up of coke or carbon in furnace tubes is a major problem for ethylene producers because it leads to costly decoking steps, reduces efficiency of operation and increases the rate of metal corrosion and erosion. The coking problem is estimated to cost the worldwide ethylene industry roughly $2 billion annually in lost production and prevents operation at higher levels of conversion.
The Market
Ethylene demand is growing rapidly as products derived from ethylene are displacing conventional materials in packaging, building materials, automotive and other applications. World production of ethylene is forecast to grow from 73 million tonnes in 1996 to more than 100 million tonnes by 2005.
Ethylene producers currently consume $400 million per year of tubular products worldwide and are projected to consume $600 million per year by 2005. The market is typically 80 per cent for maintenance or re-tubing of existing furnaces and 20 per cent for new installations.
About Surface Engineered Products
Westaim Surface Engineered Products Corp. has developed proprietary surface engineering processes and materials that provide enhancement and protection to metals used in severe applications in the petrochemical and other process industries. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Westaim Corporation.
Westaim specializes in launching high-potential technologies into the marketplace. Besides Surface Engineered Products, Westaim’s other technology businesses include: Westaim Biomedical Corp., which has developed an infection control technology for use in the treatment of wounds; and Westaim Advanced Display Technologies Inc., which is developing a revolutionary low-cost flat panel display. Westaim also operates three industrial businesses that produce aerospace materials, coin blanks and chemical products. A TSE 300 company, Westaim’s common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange, The Alberta Stock Exchange and The Montreal Exchange under the trading symbol “WED”.
*CoatAlloy is a trademark of Surface Engineered Products Corp.
For more information, contact:
Tony Johnston
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
(403) 234-3103
tjohnsto@westaim.com
website: www.westaim.com
e-mail: info@westaim.com
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