Savings near $500,000/yr with air preheater: furnace efficiency reaches 90%

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States)

OSTI ID:5713047

Woodard, M; Jones, C H

The Joliet, Illinois, refinery of Mobil Oil Corporation has raised the net efficiency of its crude unit vacuum heater to almost 90% with the addition of a regenerative type air preheater to the system. Large process heaters in the plant which refines crude oil to produce gasoline and diesel fuel, LPG, jet fuels and distillates for the home, were designed to permit the future installation of combustion air preheating systems. The appropriate modifications in equipment and space allotment were made in the actual construction of the plant, which took place between 1969 and 1971. The recent energy crisis and escalation in fuel prices convinced Mobil to implement every means to save fuel, and the vacuum air preheater was put into operation in the fall of 1975. The design of the preheater and its control equipment are discussed. Since installing the unit, Mobil has increased the efficiency of its furnace from 75 to almost 90%, with a subsequent fuel savings equivalent to 39,500 barrels/yr. At 1978 oil price levels, this savings is approximately $500,000/yr. There have been no unusual maintenance problems in the two years the vacuum stage preheater has been operating.

• Research Organization: Mobil Oil Corp., Joliet, IL
• OSTI ID: 5713047
• Journal Information: Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States) Vol. 41:4; ISSN CHPCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020400 -- Petroleum-- Processing
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320304* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Waste Heat Recovery & Utilization
AIR HEATERS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
FURNACES
HEATERS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
PERFORMANCE
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
WASTE HEAT UTILIZATION
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION