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Deactivation of Steam Methane Reformer Catalyst

An ammonia manufacturer asked Aptech's help in investigating the deactivation of the catalyst in a steam methane reformer. APTECH reviewed records, catalyst activity data, process flow diagrams, and strip chart recorder data rolls. Also Aptech walked the unit down and held discussions with knowledgeable personnel in management, operations, maintenance, and engineering. APTECH prepared a report recommending the installation of additional equipment items and control interlocks to prevent recurrence of the incident. The manufacturer accepted the recommendations.

Satish Almaula		Plant failure and root cause analysis; process and design engineering analysis; process technology development and testing; plant engineering, operations, maintenance and safety management; plant and process control system management.

Kimble Clark, Ph.D.		Failure analysis, heat transfer & thermodynamics, process plant equipment failures & explosions, fuel science, combustion, industrial fires and explosions.

Richard Schreiber, P.E.		Machinery and mechanical device failure analysis, mechanical testing, combustion and heat transfer, industrial fires and explosions, gas appliances.

Steven Kohan, Ph.D.		Chemical engineering, refinery processes, toxic fume generation.