Maximize Process Efficiency & Reliability with Industrial Kettle Type Reboilers
What is a Kettle Type Reboiler?
A Kettle Type Reboiler is a specialized shell-and-tube heat exchanger used for reboiling applications in chemical, petrochemical, and oil & gas industries. It works by vaporizing a portion of the bottom liquid from a distillation column to provide the necessary heat for the separation process.
At Yuhong Group, our kettle-type reboilers are engineered for:
- High heat transfer efficiency
- Ease of maintenance
- Reliable performance under continuous operation
The design typically includes a kettle drum (shell side) where liquid collects and a tube bundle for vapor generation. The excess liquid leaves as bottoms product, while generated vapor returns to the distillation column.
General Construction & Design Standards
- Design Codes: ASME Section VIII, TEMA Standards, API 660 (as applicable)
- Heat Transfer Area: Typically ranges from 10 m² to 1500 m² (customizable)
- Flow Arrangement:
- Tube Side: Heating medium (e.g., steam, hot oil)
- Shell Side: Process fluid to be vaporized
- Bundle Type: Removable U-tube or straight tube with floating head for easy maintenance
Technical Specifications
- Operating Pressure: Up to 40 bar (depending on material and design)
- Operating Temperature: Up to 400°C (with suitable materials)
- Vapor Load Handling: Designed for large vaporization rates
- Vapor Space: Sufficient for disengagement to avoid liquid carryover
- Typical Heat Duty: 0.5 MW to 25 MW (custom-designed)
Material of Construction (MOC)
We offer a range of materials based on process conditions, corrosion requirements, and temperature:
Shell & Kettle Drum:
- Carbon Steel (ASTM A516 Gr. 60/70)
- Stainless Steel (SS304, SS316, SS316L)
- Duplex Stainless Steel
- Alloy Steel (Chrome-Moly, ASTM A387)
Tube Bundle:
- Stainless Steel (SS304, SS316, SS316L)
- Copper-Nickel Alloys
- Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy (for corrosive services)
- Titanium (for seawater or highly corrosive environments)
Gaskets & Seals:
- Spiral Wound Gaskets (SS + Graphite)
- PTFE (for corrosive applications)
Key Features
- Removable Tube Bundle for easy inspection and maintenance
- Large Kettle Design for proper vapor disengagement
- Customizable Nozzle Orientation to suit piping layout
- High Thermal Efficiency through optimized design
- Compliance with International Codes (ASME/TEMA)
Applications
- Petrochemical Plants: Distillation and fractionation units
- Refineries: Atmospheric and vacuum distillation reboilers
- Chemical Plants: Evaporation and stripping duties
- Power Plants & Fertilizer Units: Heat recovery and reboiling services
Benefits
- Long operational life with robust materials
- Handles large vapor and liquid loads
- Flexible design for a wide range of duties
- Low maintenance cost due to easy tube removal
