Case Study · Hydrocarbon & Chemical
Ammonia Reformer Throat High Emissivity Coating: Refractory Abrasion Eliminated at Yara
| Industry | Hydrocarbon & Chemical |
|---|---|
| Asset | Ammonia reformer throat (high-alumina brick and balls) |
| Customer or location | Yara, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Products used | Emisshield ST-series |
| Headline metric | Abrasion eliminated |
| Secondary metric | Catalyst contamination prevented |
| Also measured | Suitable to 1,300°C and extreme gas velocity |
High-velocity hydrogen/nitrogen gas streams (4 to 23 m/s at 1,000 to 1,300°C) were abrading the high-alumina refractory in the throat of Yara's ammonia reformer, and the shed material contaminated the downstream catalyst bed. The refractory brick and balls were coated with Emisshield ST-series products to seal the surface. Since coating, no abrasion has occurred and the catalyst bed has not been contaminated.
01
What was the challenge?
Abraded refractory contaminated the catalyst bed, causing extended shutdowns and costly catalyst replacement.
02
What was applied?
Emisshield ST-series on the refractory brick and ceramic balls in the throat section, to seal the surface and lower the refractory surface temperature.
03
What were the results?
| Metric | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Refractory abrasion | Ongoing | None since coating |
| Catalyst-bed contamination | Recurring | Prevented |
| Exterior shell temperature | Baseline | Reduced |
| Applicability | Extended to other refractory bricks and ceramic balls for the client |
04
Why did it work?
The sealed, high emissivity surface resists particle shedding under high-velocity gas while re-radiating energy so the refractory surface runs cooler. See Products.
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