Winter Shutdown Is Prime Time for Hot Oil Heater Maintenance

As production slows and you ready your plant for winter shutdown, now is the ideal time to think about removing any sludge buildup and replacing the heat transfer fluid in your hot oil circulating system. Experts agree that this oil should be changed every five to seven years, maximum.

Here are a few tips:

1. Drain as much existing oil as possible from all points in the system.
2. Fill heater and all parts of the system with a recommended flushing fluid.
3. Run the pumping system. Turn the temperature control to lowest possible setting. (There is danger of fire or explosion if heat is applied.)
4. Circulate the fluid through the system, checking the strainer at regular intervals. Clean the strainer as required. While this process typically takes a minimum of four hours, you can judge from the fluid’s appearance how long to continue circulating the flushing fluid.
5. Drain as much flushing fluid as possible from all points in the system.
6. Refill the system with heat transfer fluid.
7. Circulate and check the strainer, as you did in step 4 (minimum of one hour, recommended).
8. Check the strainer regularly for the first few days of operation, as loosened sludge and debris may continue to collect in the strainer.

This week’s tip is courtesy of Process Heating Company Inc.

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