Hot oil heating process
Erfan Akbarnia
Senior Engineer expert at EPCC projects, operation and maintenance fields. fluid flow, heat transfer & thermodynamic process specialist (Piping, Process Equipment, HVACR & Utility systems and equipment)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hot Oils
The advantages of hot oils are:
- Low vapor pressure at ambient temperature which cause lower pressure on piping system at higher temperatures).
- Always liquid and easy to handle.
- Blended for a specific temperature range.
- Higher specific heat than normally occurring hydrocarbons.
Hot oil heat transfer fluid eliminate the problems associated with direct fired heating.
Heat transfer fluid systems eliminate hot spots which can overheat sensitive process material while providing close and accurate process temperature control. Heat transfer fluid systems
also allow the major source of ignition (the heater) to be installed remotely from the process, reducing fire hazards and improving plant safety.
The disadvantages of hot oils include:
- Escaping vapors are environmentally undesirable.
- When overheated, the oils will oxidize and coke on the fire tube. Also, they can be ignited.
- hydraulic and heat transfer design of the hot oil system is more complex than other fluids like water.
- Ethers are hydroscopic and must be kept dry.