Ultrasonic steam trap audit increases reliability by 15%, helps save $50,000/month

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States)

OSTI ID:6064724

Lopoz, D ^[1]; Gaines, A

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1. Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Perth Amboy, NJ

This article focuses on presenting a solution to Chevron U.S.A., Inc.'s New Jersey refinery problem of having inefficient steam traps. The plant generates close to 500,000 lb/hr of steam, and six to eight thousand disc-type thermodynamic traps are used throughout the entire steam system. An audit of the traps in June of 1980 revealed that the trap failure was up to 28%. The Perth Amboy refinery's energy conservation program, designed to isolate areas in which it could best spend the money to achieve the ultimate goal of saving energy, was officially launched in early 1973. The program involves capital expenditures for the purchase of new equipment and modification of existing equipment. A second phase is concerned with energy management, a plan geared to discovering methods of deriving optimum efficiency from existing hardware and procedures. The steam trap audit is included in energy management. Ultrasonic technology, which can detect sound vibrations above the normal 16-18 kHz range of human hearing, offered a far superior method of testing for steam trap performance. The refinery has increased its steam trap reliability by 15% within two years after the ultrasonic test instrument was put to use. The reduction in steam losses is saving at least $50,000 a month.

• OSTI ID: 6064724
• Journal Information: Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States) Vol. 45:12; ISSN CHPCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320303* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
ACOUSTIC TESTING
ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MAINTENANCE
MATERIALS TESTING
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
STEAM TRAPS
TESTING
TRAPS
ULTRASONIC TESTING