Coke Drum Insulation Panels With Floating Ring Thermal Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coke drum insulation systems are inadequate, leading to poor thermal performance and potential damage due to inadequate insulation, which affects coke quality and operational efficiency in petroleum refining processes.

Innovation Solution

The development of improved insulation panel designs for coke drums featuring an internal floating ring support system, single-folded standing seams, and tensioned stainless steel or alloy cables, allowing for thermal movement and easy panel replacement or inspection, while maintaining weatherproof and durable insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rigid insulation support systems are used, then insulation panels are securely held, but thermal expansion and contraction of the coke drum causes damage to the insulation system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation system durabilityVSAvoidthermal expansion damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support ring is designed to float dynamically on the insulation panels rather than being rigidly fixed, allowing it to move with thermal expansion and contraction of the coke drum while maintaining support function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support system transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a floating dynamic structure that can change position parameters in response to thermal conditions, accommodating expansion and contraction cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If insulation panels are permanently secured to the drum, then thermal movement is restricted, but inspection and replacement of panels becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation panel positioningVSAvoidpanel replacement accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation system is divided into discrete removable panels that can be individually accessed and replaced, with each panel independently secured to the floating support ring rather than permanently fixed to the drum

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The floating support ring acts as an intermediary between the insulation panels and the coke drum, allowing panels to be secured to the ring while the ring itself floats independently, facilitating panel removal for inspection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the insulation system is designed to allow thermal movement, then damage from expansion is prevented, but insulation panel stability and positioning may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion damageVSAvoidinsulation panel stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The floating support ring provides dynamic stability by moving with thermal expansion while maintaining its support function, creating a stable platform for insulation panels that accommodates thermal movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If complex insulation support structures are used to accommodate thermal movement, then thermal expansion is managed, but system complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal movement accommodationVSAvoidsupport system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floating support ring functions as a simple flexible element that accommodates thermal movement through buoyancy rather than complex mechanical joints or expansion joints, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides robust, maintenance-free thermal control, preventing damage from thermal expansion and ensuring consistent coke quality by maintaining optimal insulation performance over the life of the coke drum.

Implementation Method 1

an insulation support ring designed to 'float', and therefore referred to sometimes as an 'internal floating ring'

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

improved coke drum insulation panel designs... providing robust, maintenance-free thermal control

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11034890B2Insulated vessels, insulation systems therefore, and methods of installing same

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 INSULTHERM INC

AI summary

An insulated pressure vessel, such as a coke drum, having an insulation system installed thereon. The insulation system includes an insulation support system comprising either a floating ring type support system, or a cage type support system including a plurality of vertically spaced insulation support rings each having a diameter greater than the external diameter of the coke drum. A plurality of insulation panels are secured to the support rings, each panel including insulation material and an exterior metal jacket. The panels are secured to horizontally adjacent insulation panels with standing seams. Weather shields may be provided over the top of the seams. Tensioned insulation securing cables, corresponding in number to the insulation support rings, are routed through horizontally aligned eyelets in each standing seam.