Regular testing of thermal oil heaters

1. Prevent oxidation in thermal oil heaters. Thermal oil is susceptible to oxidation reactions when operating at high temperatures within the heat transfer medium, causing degradation. Therefore, high-temperature expansion tanks are typically filled with nitrogen to ensure a sealed heat transfer system, preventing the oil from coming into contact with air and extending the oil's service life.
2. Prevent coking in thermal oil heaters. When the operating temperature of thermal oil heaters exceeds the maximum operating temperature, coking will form on the pipe walls. As the coking layer thickens, the elevated pipe wall temperature further increases, further increasing the temperature of the thickening pipe wall. As the pipe wall continues to thicken, heat transfer performance deteriorates, potentially leading to pipe bursts. Therefore, the temperature of the thermal oil at the heat transfer medium outlet must be strictly controlled, never exceeding the maximum operating temperature, and the maximum film temperature of the heat transfer medium must be below the allowable oil film temperature.
3. Thermal oil heater manufacturers should regularly inspect for leaks and strengthen on-site monitoring to ensure the integrity of the heat transfer medium system. Equipment should be regularly inspected for corrosion and leaks, and any leaks repaired promptly. Therefore, the heat transfer system must be rationally designed. Equipment wall thickness and compressive strength must be regularly inspected during use. Pressure gauges, safety valves, and vent pipes should be installed on the equipment and piping.
4. Prevent water and other impurities from entering the heat transfer medium. As the heat transfer medium heats up, dissolved water rapidly vaporizes, causing a sharp rise in pressure within the heat transfer pipe, leading to uncontrollable levels and potentially causing accidents. Therefore, the heat transfer oil should be slowly heated before use to remove water and other light impurities from the heat transfer oil heater.
5. Regularly test the heat transfer oil heater's performance. Regularly measure and analyze the heat transfer oil's carbon residue, acid value, viscosity, flash point, melting point, and other physical and chemical indicators to monitor and analyze any changes in its quality. When the acid value exceeds 0.5 mgKOH/g, the viscosity changes by 15%, the flash point changes by 20%, and the carbon residue (mass fraction) reaches 1.5%, these indicate that the heat transfer oil's performance has deteriorated. Regularly replenish the heat transfer oil to maintain a stable carbon residue level in the system.