Application of RBI Method to Increase the Efficiency of Furnace B-1201 Belonging to ENAP Aconcagua Refinery, Chile

The Chilean company ENAP has a complex refining system in Conco´n, with important equipments like the furnace B-1201, belonging to the Hydrocracking Plant, and responsible for the partial conversion of vacuum gasoil into lighter products. This equipment works in a temperatures range between 300 and 400°C. During this process, the equipment is exposed to factors causing the decreased in its operative life and catastrophic failures. These results are reported as a decrease in equipment efficiency and significant financial loss. Energy costs represent 80% of operating costs. This paper presents an analysis of risk for furnace B-1201 in the superior limit of design for this equipment, to verify its current load behavior and the possibility of increasing its efficiency by 20% over the security level. Additionally there is the application of a new inspection system. The study applied is based on the RBI methodology, according to the API-580 and API-581, and was used the simulation software HTRI® as a support tool to obtain the maximum temperature of the furnace tube metal B-1201. Results are reported as comparative data analysis of probability of failure in the short and long term, risk matrix, and proposed plans for the various cases in study.