How long does A 'TYPICAL DECOKE' take?
A typical 4 pass heater takes about 48 hours to complete, depending upon the configuration and coke build-up.

Does the abrasive pig damage the heater tubes?
Part of the reason for the overwhelming success of the "PINNACLE PIGGING SYSTEM" is that the pig appendages are designed to NOT damage the tubes. The final 'polishing' pig utilizes materials that are much softer that the tube metalurgy to ensure no damage.

What sizes of tubes can be pig decoked?
The "PINNACLE PIGGING SYSTEM" is capable of cleaning tubes from 2" ID to 12" ID or greater if reuired.

What types of heaters can be pigged?
Most fired heaters or 'Once Through Steam Generators' are 'pigable', although some with 'common header' designs may require modification. The common process heaters such as Delayed Coker, Atmospheric Cude, Vacuum Crude, FCC, Resid etc are pigged on a regular basis.

Can a Vacuum Crude Heater with incremental tube sizes be pigged?
YES. By utilizing launcher/receivers of the appropriate inet and outlet dimensions, each tube size is pigged individually. The process is bit more time consuming, but equally efficient.

Can heaters with "mule-ear" type return plug headers be pigged?
YES. Modifications are NOT required for the "PINNACLE PIGGING SYSTEM" process. The patented 'soft-core' pig is designed to negotiate these returns with no problems.

What volume of water is used?
An estimated volume of 80,000 gallons is used in a 'typical' decoke. By using HKS Venezuela filtration equipment (presently under construction), water consumption can be reduced by 80% or more !!!

Can a degreaser or a soda ash solution be used if necessary?
Yes. Either solution can be incorporated into the process with very little effort. Normally though, clear water at ambient temperatures are used.

How do we arrange for a visit or quotation?
Please, only call an HKS Venezuela Representative as listed in the "INFORMATION" section of this web page. We will be pleased to visit your facility or provide a 'budget purposes only' quotation.