When new, an HTO system is designed to work at around 220oC and delivers the required amount of heat to the Stenter Frames. As the years go by and production of cloth increases, the HTO boiler operating temperature is raised to give the extra heat needed to cope with the extra production. This makes the oil degrade at an accelerated rate and the result is increased carbon production, oil cracking and the creation of light hydrocarbons, and oxidation producing acid.
These unwanted by-products show as an increase in solids and Acid Number, variation of viscosity and Flash Point dropping. Carbon does not transfer heat as oil does. A boiler with high carbon content must work at a higher temperature than normal. This extra heat increases the possible chemical reaction and produces more carbon. It’s a deteriorating cycle of degeneration.
Carbon is very abrasive when baked hard inside boiler pipes. When newly formed, the soft carbon settles on the internal surface of the boiler pipes and is baked into a hard, brittle abrasive. When they break free of the surface and circulate in the system, it will be ground up by the centrifugal circulating pump which means that the pump’s blades will be worn down more quickly.
The baked carbon in the pipes creates an insulating layer and this creates a need for more heat to be applied to the boiler pipes. More heat creates more carbon, and so the cycle continues at an accelerated rate. As the excessive heat ‘cracks’ the oil, the Light hydrocarbons produced reduce the temperature at which flammable vapours are given off. When exposed to air – via an oil leak – the oil becomes flammable at a lower temperature. The risk of fire is increased.
Anglo Oil Filtration provides an innovative service which significantly increases the life of heat transfer oil and decreases the wear and tear on the heat transfer system. Our innovative filtration technology will filter out large amounts of carbon, gases and other contaminants. This also means that, the oil will have a lower flashpoint.