IKR RICHTER TECHNOLOGY GMBH
Specialized in catalyst handling & new technologies
IKR Richter Group researches and develops special technologies for the catalyst handling, Industrial Services Sector.
All of the technologies and innovations which we develop and which are used in customer projects are tried andtested. Our specialists at the technology centre in Lauchhammer perform - together with our customers – project specific tests and develop optimal technical solutions for subsequent production and use in customer projects.
Peter Richter, founder of the company and the innovator of various industry patents for the loading and cleaning of reactors, was trained by the innovator behind Unidense Technology and is still amicably advised by him. IKR Richter Group aim is to become one of the leading manufacturers for loading technologies on the international market.
UNIFORM DENSITY LOADING UDL 2.8 ®
When loading cracking furnaces, it is crucial that every tube is loaded with exactly the same amount at the same speed and that a virtually consistent density is achieved. If the reactor is loaded using the conventional sock-loading method, hot spots will develop in certain circumstances due to an unequal gas fl ow rate, following which tears in the tubes may occur due to overheating. The degree of effi ciency is also not optimal due to the widely differing density of the individual pipes. In the case of sock loading, the loss of pressure is approx. +/- ≤ 10%. Furthermore, prior to the works, the exact measured amount of catalyst must be prepared which means loading the catalyst into socks so that each tube can be identically loaded. Our UDL uniform density loading technology - which we use in either its manual or automatic version - is easier, faster and better. The reactor loading carried out by using UDL manual loading guarantees a consistent and good loading result. For the even more effi cient and consistent automatic loading of all tubes, we recommend using UDL automatic.
You save up to 20% of time and the loss of pressure is just +/- ≤ 3%.
DIGITAL DP M EASUREMENTS
IKR Richter Technology GmbH uses digital systems for pressure drop measurements which cannot be outdone in terms of precision. The devices do not just stand out for their light weight and their ease of use. A safety appliance automatically cuts off the device in the case of excess pressure so that a high degree of occupational safety is guaranteed. You can be assured that you will obtain the best measurements during every work phase. We measure the pressure drop: after emptying the tubes to see whether a free flow-through exists, per catalyst layer and type change and after the end of the work to determine whether the same pressure drop is found on all tubes.
TUBECLEANER INSIDE
Carbon deposits and other contaminants on the inner walls of primary reformers and tubular furnaces pipes will affect plant operation. The IKR Richter Technology TubeCleaner inside removes the hardest deposits from the inner walls without damaging the pipe. An air-powered engine drives fl exible soft brushes and hard rollers that break up the carbons while at the same time the pollutants are extracted. Before starting the cleaning work, three test tubes are cleaned. The customer can then decide on-site together with our trained staff, plant or catalyst manufacturer whether the cleaning brings the required benefit or not.
TUBECLEANER OUTSIDE
The outer pipe cleaning is used on refinery ovens heated with crude oil. Deposits/silt on the pipes block the heat transfer like an isolator. In gasfired reformers, depending on the quality of the gas, sulphur may be deposited on the pipes, but also rust deposits are not uncommon. The IKR Richter Technology TubeCleaner outside removes deposits with rotating steel brushes without causing damage. When the highest point is reached, a position switch automatically shuts down the cleaning device. An extraction system absorbs the deposits and thus prevents contamination of the workplace and environment. With the automated outer tube cleaning you save personnel cost and time for scaffolding. They increase the effi ciency and service life of the pipes, gaining safety by avoiding work at risky heights and protecting the environment.
VIDEO INSPECTION & CHECKING OF THE REMAINING LIFETIME
After the reactor is emptied, all tubes are checked fi rst. It is verifi ed whether residual catalyst exists, whether the tubes are polluted with carbonates, which act as an isolator, and whether the support grid at the bottom of the reactor is free or damaged. Further measures are derived at short notice from the results. We have a procedure that stands out as being time-saving and effi cient. Video recordings of the individual tubes are continuously saved onto SD cards. While the fi rst recordings are surveyed by site management, customer and catalyst manufacturer on a separate playback device, the IKR Richter Group technicians continue to gradually deliver the further recordings. By doing so, further decisions may be made and promptly implemented without interrupting the works. In cooperation with MP Magnetische Prüfanlagen, IKR Richter Technology has developed a tool with which we can carry out an expansion measurement on every single tube. This means that the diameter is continuously measured, and the smallest deformations caused by hot spots can be recognized. Compared to traditional external gauging, internal measurement delivers more accurate measurements which make a decision with regard to the possible tube replacement
easier for our customers.
DENSE L OADING F OR FIX ED BED REA CTORS
Since 2019, IKR Richter Group has constantly been further developing its tried and tested dense loading machine. The machine ensures that the catalyst material is dispersed in the reactor in a consistent, gentle and low dust way. This gives the required uniform and dense storage of the individual catalyst particles with a signifi cantly higher loading volume. The continuously variable regulation of feed quantities, the rotational speed of the loading motor and the length and design of the fl exible, star-shaped product defl ectors placed on several levels guarantee gentle and economic loading for any reactor bed size. The high-quality theoretical training and practical on-thejob training are consistently implemented for all reactor technicians – as we are well aware: the more adept the technician, the better the loading result. Our customers receive a well-engineered technical service without royalties.