Process: Mechanical Clean - EP Series Air Tool
Company: Murphy Petroleum
Location: Murco Oil Refinery, Milford Haven
Plant Item: Sulphur Furnace/Burner
At Murco oil refinery a sulphur furnace was under-performing due to the build-up of waste inside the tubes (Picture 1). There were 51 large tubes in total with a diameter of 65mm, and a length of 21ft. Due to the size and length of the tubes there was a significant amount of carbon deposit to be removed which was often firmly adhered to the tube walls.
The Thomas C Wilson EP Series, Air driven tube cleaning system was identified as the most appropriate tool for cleaning the heavy carbon fouling due to its ability to rotate the cleaning attachment at 9,000 rpm. Such power and speed enables the EP series air tool to power through tough and heavy deposits such as carbon, bringing the tubes back to the metal.
For this application the expanding brush is the perfect cleaning attachment; centrifugal force moves the brush blades in and out of the cartridge as it passes through the tube, enabling it to conform to the tube wall or fouling deposit.
The TC Wilson EP Series was effective in moving the heavy carbon deposits from the tube internals and walls. Each tube was individually cleaned back to bare metal with a significant contrast between cleaned tubes and those still to be cleaned (see top left tube vs bottom row in picture 2). In addition to effectively cleaning each tube, the whole cleaning process was fast and uncomplicated; set up through to finish took just a few hours.
© Copyright 2026 | RICO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES LTD
