At Shell Bitumen Plant, Takoradi, Beverley Thermal Fluid Heater (BTFH) generates heat energy to heat thermal fluid (Thermia B) which flows through heat exchanger and then heats bitumen which is to be maintained at temperature range of 140 °C to 160 °C before it is discharged. High rate of heat losses have been observed and in order to maintain the temperature range of bitumen at (140 °C to 160 °C), a lot of heat energy is needed to be generated which means higher fuel consumption for BTFH. Industrial fuel oil is used to fuel the BTFH. This paper assesses the existing insulation system on the plant and seeks to improve on it so as to cut down heat losses. Consequently, the work looked at the estimation of heat losses, selection of materials for heat transfer and lagging purposes. In this wise, the existing laggings were modified by introducing fibreglass between the asbestos and masonry and thus reducing the current heat lost by 78%. Heat from the exhaust gas which would have otherwise, gone wasted, was utilised by redesigning the chimney and this yielded 0.868 kW of heat energy to aid the heating of the bitumen. In the face of rising cost of fuel and taking cognizance of the fact that cheaper natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas could be produced in Ghana, it is recommended that the heater should be fueled by either of these gases.
Skip Nav Destination
ASME 2008 Heat Transfer Summer Conference collocated with the Fluids Engineering, Energy Sustainability, and 3rd Energy Nanotechnology Conferences
August 10–14, 2008
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Heat Transfer Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4848-7
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Assessment of Heat Transfer Effectiveness: Application to Shell Bitumen Plant, Takoradi, Ghana Available to Purchase
Anthony Simons,
Anthony Simons
University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana
Search for other works by this author on:
Solomon Nunoo
Solomon Nunoo
University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana
Search for other works by this author on:
Anthony Simons
University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana
Solomon Nunoo
University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana
Paper No:
HT2008-56407, pp. 115-121; 7 pages
Published Online:
July 7, 2009
Citation
Simons, A, & Nunoo, S. "Assessment of Heat Transfer Effectiveness: Application to Shell Bitumen Plant, Takoradi, Ghana." Proceedings of the ASME 2008 Heat Transfer Summer Conference collocated with the Fluids Engineering, Energy Sustainability, and 3rd Energy Nanotechnology Conferences. Heat Transfer: Volume 2. Jacksonville, Florida, USA. August 10–14, 2008. pp. 115-121. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/HT2008-56407
Download citation file:
13
Views
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Articles
A Method for Improving the Quality of Bituminous Froth From Water Extraction of Oil Sands
J. Energy Resour. Technol (December,1992)
Tar on Tap
Mechanical Engineering (December,2008)
Global Trends in Heavy Oil and Bitumen Recovery and In-Situ Upgrading: A Bibliometric Analysis During 1900–2020 and Future Outlook
J. Energy Resour. Technol (December,2022)
Related Chapters
Pipeline Integrity and Security
Continuing and Changing Priorities of the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Codes and Standards
Introduction
Consensus on Operating Practices for Control of Water and Steam Chemistry in Combined Cycle and Cogeneration
Threshold Functions
Closed-Cycle Gas Turbines: Operating Experience and Future Potential