Cetek Ceramic Technologies

A Trusted Fired Heater Efficiency Solution

Cetek Ceramic Technologies have been applied at more than 200 refining/ chemical processing sites around the world. Cetek has been developed by pioneers in the ceramic coating industry to improve and sustain the efficiency of heat transfer in fired heaters.

Facilities that choose to apply Cetek can expect long-term performance and significant ROI.

Pre-qualified Results, Every time.

As an integral and unique part of IGS’ Cetek Ceramic Coating service, a complimentary technical evaluation is performed on all fired heaters before a proposal is provided.

What is the Process of a Technical Evaluation?

Data is collected by IGS technicians from the plant. It comprises an IR Thermography inspection completed by IGS with operating data corresponding to the precise time and date of the IR inspection.

To determine how close current operating conditions are to design, complete design specifications are required, together with general arrangement drawings of the fired heater.

What Does the Technical Evaluation Provide?
  • Assurance that the Cetek application will enhance performance
  • Expected improvements in heat transfer efficiency
  • Projected fuel consumption savings
  • Projected CO2 and NOx reduction
  • Return on Investment (ROI)/ Payout calculation

The evaluation can also project further, more reaching benefits in flexibility of operation, such as C5 + RONC Octane increase at current production/firing rates and potential for leaner feedstock flexibility, or lower cost naphtha.

Contact us to book a Cetek technical evaluation today

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I’m here to help

Larry Emch

IGS Subject Matter Expert


Cetek High Emissivity and Thin-Film Coatings

Cetek Ceramic Coatings will prevent process tube oxidation and carburization and maintain heat transfer to the process. High Emissivity Cetek Coatings for refractory surfaces will increase radiant absorbed duty and encapsulate fiber surfaces.

The application of Cetek Coatings will maximize radiant absorbed duty and optimize heater operation alleviating bottlenecks and decreasing fuel usage and CO2 & NOx emissions.

Elimination of Heater Limitations

BWT Limitation

By improving radiant section heat transfer efficiency, more of the available heat generated by the burners is absorbed by the process. This means that the flue gas temperature leaving the radiant section (BWT – Bridgewall Temperature) will be lower. If your fired heater is limited by BWT, Cetek’s high emissivity ceramic coatings are a simple, cost-effective fix.

Firing Duty Limited

More efficient heat transfer in the radiant section will overcome any firing duty limitation – a solution readily available from an application of Cetek’s high emissivity ceramic coatings.

Ceramic Coatings for Process Tubes

Is your fired heater limited by bridge wall temperature, tube metal temperature or firing duty?

Cetek’s Tube-Coat service addresses excessive fouling/scale formation on the radiant tubes, bringing the tubes back to an as-new condition, while the High Emissivity Ceramic Coatings ensure that the tubes remain in this clean state for an extended period.

Benefits of Cetek Ceramic Coatings for Process Tubes

Cetek Ceramic Coatings provide a durable, protective, thin-film layer on the outer surfaces of process tubes to and maintain the tube thermal conductivity coefficient close to new tube conditions.

  • Oxidation Prevention
  • Carburization Prevention
  • Extension of Service Life
  • Reliable Determination of Tube Metal Temperature

Find out how Cetek ceramic coatings prevent fired heater process tube corrosion, oxidation and carburization.

Ceramic Coatings for Refractory Surfaces

Increasing Radiant Section Heat Transfer Efficiency

Cetek’s high emissivity ceramic coatings applied to the process tubes and refractory surfaces provide a significant improvement in radiant section heat transfer efficiency, which varies for different types and designs of fired heaters, or tubular reformers. To derive the most benefit, it is important that a complete technical analysis/evaluation of the effects of the application is completed beforehand.

The benefit in the radiant section and the effects on the convection section are studied and reported before any commitment is made by the client or Cetek.

Typical high emissivity ceramic coating applications to the tube and refractory surfaces show heat transfer efficiency benefits ranging from 5% to 15%, depending on service and heater configuration.

Benefits of Cetek High Emissivity Ceramic Coatings for Refractory Surfaces

  • Improved Radiant Heat Transfer Efficiency to the Process Tubes
  • Fuel Savings at the same production rate
  • Increase in Production Rate at the same firing rate
  • Elimination of Heater Limitations

Find out how Cetek ceramic coatings for fired heater refractory improve radiant heat transfer efficiency.

14% Increase in Radiant Efficiency and Throughput After Cetek Coating

Reducing Emissions in Fired Heaters

Reducing emissions while ensuring adequate supply of hydrocarbon derivatives is a complex issue for the refinery operators and chemical producers. At a company level, Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) initiatives have been put in place to provide practical solutions to these emissions issues, while continuing daily operations.

Many industries and economies rely on hydrocarbon derived products. Our everyday products, including medicine, clothing, toothpaste, and even solar panels start their lifecycle as unrefined petroleum. Demand for most of these items is not expected to drop with our growing population, while initiatives focusing on production from plant-based materials are still in their infancy.

Learn how IGS’ Engineered Solutions Reduce CO2 & NOx Emissions

How to Cut Emissions & Fuel and Increase Capacity in Fired Heaters

Dual Emissivity Ceramic Coatings

Cetek’s Dual Emissivity Coating System effectively shields the tube surfaces in high heat flux areas but increases heat absorption in lower heat flux areas. This prevents rapid coke formation while at the same time eliminating uneven scale formation, thus allowing accurate tube metal temperature measurements.

  • Optimized heat flux distribution
  • Slow tube coking
  • Slower scale formation
  • Increased run length between de-coke activities
  • Decreased maximum tube metal temperature
  • Reduced fuel consumption
  • Improved heater reliability

Find out how Dual Emissivity Coatings reduce coking in fired heater process tubes.

Free Consultation with IGS Subject Matter Expert

IGS is here to provide information, answer questions and create an effective solution for your needs.

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