FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to fired heaters. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to the construction and arrangement of vertical cylindrical fired heaters. More particularly, the present disclosure discloses a structure for supporting a large stack on a small vertical cylindrical fired heater.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
The information in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art:
Fired heaters are one of the most critical equipment in a refinery. They play a crucial role in heating process fluids in most industrial applications. Essentially, any fired heater is a refractory lined enclosure housing metal tubes that contain the fluid to be heated. Burners are used to produce heat through the combustion of fuel oil or fuel gas. The heat transfer takes place inside a fired heater via radiation and convection modes. Out of the various types of Fired Heaters configuration available, VC (Vertical Cylindrical) type Fired Heaters are the most preferred for absorbed duty less than 35-40 MM Kcal / hr and depending on other factors such as the severity of service / type of service.
Conventional vertical cylindrical fired heater primarily consists of three sections: a radiant section, a convection section, and a stack. In the VC Fired heater generally the radiant section is provided at bottom with a box type convection section seated on top of the fired heater radiant section. The flue gas, produced due to burning of the fuel in the burners mounted on the radiant section, after heat exchange, is exhausted into the atmosphere through a vertical stack placed after the convection section. The stack can either be heater mounted (located on the top of convection section) or can be separately grade mounted (seated on ground) in case seating on heater is difficult. Supporting of the stack directly on the heater is preferred, as it saves material, cost, space and also provides better draft for the furnace on account of improved flue gas hydraulics.

Due to stringent environmental regulations, it is required to increase the height of the stack to disperse the exhaust pollutants at a higher altitude and thereby reduce their ground level concentration. Stack heights below 60 meters elevation are hardly acceptable even for small fired heaters, if the plant is located in the vicinity of large population clusters like metro cities or medium / large towns.
However, a major challenge associated with such large stacks is when these large stacks are needed to be supported directly on the top of small VC fired heaters (radiant shell diameter <= approx. 4.2 meters). The challenge is mainly on the account of the requirement of the heater support structure to be robust to withstand tremendous gravity and wind load of the large stack. Furthermore, the Stack design codes usually mandate compulsory flaring (belling) of the large stack towards the stack base for the purpose of stability, thus leading to large stack base diameter. The resulting stack base diameter is therefore often higher than the width of the convection section structure on which the stack has to be mounted and lies somewhere between convection width and radiant shell diameter. As a result, it is difficult to provide a base for mounting the stack and ensure a robust stack supporting arrangement. Due to these difficulties, sometimes there is no other option than to place the stack on the ground, which has many disadvantages.
Accordingly, there is an immense need in the art to provide a structure that can support a large stack on a relatively small vertical cylindrical fired heater. The present disclosure is directed to overcome the one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more drawbacks of conventional supporting configuration of fired heaters as described in the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through a system for supporting one or more components of a vertical and cylindrical fired heater as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for supporting one or more components of a vertical and cylindrical fired heater, wherein the vertical and cylindrical fired heater comprising of a stack supported on the top of the vertical and cylindrical fired heater, the system comprising a plurality of support members placed at approximate equal angle on the ground in a predetermined manner; and a plurality of beams configured to join the plurality of support members with each other; wherein the plurality of support members is joined with each other to form a closed structure for completely supporting the stack of the vertical and cylindrical fired heater.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined manner comprising a positioning of the support members at a predetermined angle with each other wherein the support members are placed vertically on the ground along the length of the vertical and cylindrical fired heater.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of support members are four columns, each support member of the plurality of support members has consistent length and shape. The plurality of support members are I-shaped support members.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the stack comprising a base configured to be accommodated on the closed structure formed by the plurality of support members.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of beams and a plurality of secondary beams are configured to couple the plurality of support members to

form a square structure for accommodating the octagonal structure for supporting the stack base.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of circular stiffeners is disposed at longitudinal intervals on each support member of the plurality of support members for strengthening a bond between the support members and the components of the vertical and cylindrical fired heater.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vertical and cylindrical fired heater comprising a radiant section and a convection section disposed on the top of the radiant section, wherein the plurality of support members is configured to support the radiant section as well as the convection section.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of support members is rotated at an angle between 43 to 47 degree from top of the radiant section at the arch ring channel location by using a base plate / cap plate splicing arrangement for aligning with the web perpendicular to the convection section.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system comprising a plurality of ties for tying each of the support members with the convection support members to provide lateral restraint.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system comprising additional beams to prevent the lateral buckling of the support members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction

with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
FIG. 1 (a), (b), (c) illustrates schematic elevation views of a small VC heater structure with a large stack mounted on a plurality of support members, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 2 (a), (b), (c) illustrate schematic plan views of the system at the radiant section with four support members, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 illustrate a schematic plan view of the system at heater arch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 (a) & (b) illustrate a schematic plan view of the system at convection section and flue gas offtake duct, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 illustrate a schematic plan view of the stack base of the system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 illustrate a schematic detail of the rotating of plurality of support members, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 illustrate a schematic detail of using plurality of support members for supporting Staircase, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Skilled person in art will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to

other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
Before describing in detail embodiments, it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present disclosure resides in a system for supporting one or more components of a vertical and cylindrical fired heater. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated from the present disclosure and modify the various constructions of the proposed invention. However, such modification should be construed within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
The terms "comprises!comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present disclosure to provide a system for supporting one or more components of a vertical and cylindrical fired heater.
Another aim of the present disclosure is to provide a structure for supporting the large stack on a small vertical cylindrical fired heater.
Yet, another aim of the present disclosure is to provide a heater & stack support structure that provides a proper base for seating of the stack.
i Yet, another aim of the present disclosure is to provide a robust support structure that provides a good load transfer mechanism to account for the tremendous gravity & wind loads acting on the large stack.
The fired heater comprising a vertical cylindrical radiant section, a convection section mounted on the top of the vertical cylindrical radiant section and a stack is mounted on the convection section and configured to discharge the flue gases into the atmosphere. The convection section may be used for waste heat recovery. The convection section may be placed on the top radiant section and has tubes placed horizontally or in a perpendicular direction to flow of flue gas exiting the radiant i section. The heat transfer in the radiant section primarily occurs through high temperature radiation and by convection through cooled flue gases in the convection section placed atop the radiant section. The plurality of burners may be disposed at the floor positioned at bottom of the vertical cylindrical radiant section.
The stack of fired heater is supported by a system for supporting one or more components of a vertical and cylindrical fired heater. The system comprising a plurality of support members placed at approximate equal angle on the ground in a predetermined manner; and a plurality of beams configured to join the plurality of support members with each other; wherein the plurality of support members is i joined with each other to form a closed structure for completely supporting the of the stack of the vertical and cylindrical fired heater.

In an embodiment, the radiant section of fired heater is supported by a plurality of support members that are radially located to each other. These support members are oriented with their web radially outwards, and the radiant section is supported from the inner face of the column. These support members are continued from grade / Foundation level to the top of radiant section. From the top of the radiant section and further up, these support members are rotated at an angle at a arch ring channel location by using a suitable base plate / cap plate splicing arrangement to align the support members with the web perpendicular to the convection section.
The system comprises additional convection support members to support the convection section which are supported from the top of radiant arch ring channel and radiant section. In the convection section the support members are tied to each other through beams & bracings.
After then, the support members form a perfect square structure over the convection section. These support members are configured to be taken up to the stack base and then joined with each other through beams/bracings in both directions to provide a square tower type structure. The perfectly strong square structure so achieved is provided with a plurality of secondary beams to form a perfect octagon that is ideally suited to seat a circular stack base.
The figures are provided for the purpose of illustration only and should not be construed as limitations on the construction and mechanism of the present disclosure. Wherever possible, referral numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts.
Referring to figure 1 (a), the fired heater (1) comprising a vertical cylindrical radiant section (3), a convection section (4) mounted on the top of the vertical cylindrical radiant section (3) and a stack (2) mounted on the convection section and configured to discharge the flue gases into the atmosphere. In an embodiment, the fired heater

(1) comprising a vertical cylindrical radiant section (3) and a stack (2) mounted on the radiant section (3).
The stack (2) is used to discharge the flue gas safely into the atmosphere. The fired heater (1) has vertical and cylindrical structure. In an embodiment, the fired heater is refractory lined. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base diameter (8) of the stack is larger than the width (9) of convection section outside support members. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in figure 1 (b), flaring (belling) (7) of the large stack (2) is done towards the stack base for the purpose of stability thus the stack base diameter (8) may be between convection section width (10) and radiant section diameter (11).
Referring to figures 1 to 7, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a system is provided for supporting a stack (2) on a vertical cylindrical fired heater (1). The system comprising a plurality of support members (13a) & (13b) placed at approximate equal angle on the ground in a predetermined manner; and a plurality of beams (16) configured to join the plurality of support members (13a) & (13b) with each other; wherein the plurality of support members (13b) is joined with each other to form a closed structure for supporting the stack (2) of the vertical and cylindrical fired heater (1).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system comprises a plurality of support members (13a) placed at approximately equal angle on the ground in a predetermined manner to support the radiant section (3) of Fired Heater. In another embodiment, the support members are I-beam columns (13a). As shown in figures 1 & 2, four I-beam columns (13a) are positioned at a predetermined angle with each other wherein the support members are placed vertically on the ground along the length of the vertical and cylindrical fired heater (1). In yet another embodiment, the predetermined angle is in range of-88 to 92 degrees (31).

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the support members (13a) are configured to be rotated at a predetermined angle (32) near the arch ring channel (15) location to align the web perpendicular with the convection section (4). The predetermined angle (32) is in the range of 43 to 47 degree. After the alignment, the said four support members (13b) emerge upwards from the convection section (4) thus providing a perfect square structure. The support members (13a & 13b) are provided along the length of the fired heater up to the stack base (12).
The plurality of beams (16) are provided for joining the support members (13b). The system may comprise additional secondary beams / bracings for further strengthening the system. The stack may be mounted with help of fastening means on the system.
The support members (13a) are oriented with their web radially outwards, and the radiant section (3) is supported from the inner face of the support members (13a). The support members (13a) are continued from grade/foundation (17) level to the top of radiant section (3).
The system comprises all round ring type circular stiffeners (18), provided at regular intervals in the radiant section to further strengthen the bond between the support members (13a) and the radiant section (3) so that they behave in a monolithic manner.
In an embodiment, the system is configured in a cylindrical shape which ensures the requisite lateral restraint to prevent buckling of the support members (13a).
Referring to fig. 3, from the top of the radiant section (3) and further up, these support members (13 (a)) are rotated at an angle (32) near the arch ring channel (15) location. The angle is in the range of 43 to 47 degrees. In an embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, a base plate / cap plate splicing (19) arrangement is used to rotate the support members (13 a).

After the orientation, the support members (13b) aligned with the web perpendicular to the convection section (4). In an embodiment, the convection section (4) is supported by a plurality of additional convection support members
(20) supported on top of radiant arch ring channel (15) and radiant section (3). In
another embodiment of the present disclosure, the convection support members are
I-columns (20). These convection support members (20) are very light as the
convection section (4) itself is very small and these support members are provided
to support only the convection section (4) thus they do not have no role in taking
i the stack (2) loads. In the convection section (4) zone, the support members (13b) are tied to each other in the weaker direction through the beams/ bracings (16). In an embodiment, the beams/bracing are disposed laterally, and one end of beams are connected with support members (13b) and other ends are connected with convection support members (20).
The fired heater (1) comprises platforms to enable the user to do the regular maintenance and other functions. The elevation of these beams (16) is coincided with the convection platform elevations so that they also help in platform supporting and avoid headroom problems. i
In an embodiment, as shown in figure 1 (c), the system comprises additional beams
(21) to prevent the lateral buckling of the support members (13b) in the weaker
direction.
In the stronger direction although a heavy lateral restraint is not required, some restraint is desirable. However, in this direction beams cannot be provided as the passage is blocked by the convection section (4). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in figure 4, the system comprises a plurality of ties (22) for tying each of the support members (13b) with the convection support members (20) i to provide lateral restraint. The ties (22) coincide with platform elevation to avoid headroom problems. Due to the lateral restraints in both directions the issue of buckling of the support members is addressed in the convection zone also. These ties (22) also provide a counter restraint and thus act as an aid to the convection support members (20), which can now be of a very light section. The tying arrangement in this fashion is provided at regular intervals coinciding with convection platform levels, including the convection top of steel level (23).
The support members (13b) form a perfect square structure over the convection section (2). These support members (13b) are configured to be taken up to the stack base (12) and then joined with each other through beams/bracings (16) in both directions to provide a square tower type structure. This gap between a convection top (24) and the stack base (12) provides ideal space for providing a single flue gas off take (25) and a draft control damper (26) that would be required in a vertical cylindrical fired heater (1). The perfectly strong square structure so achieved is provided with a plurality of secondary beams (27) to form a perfect octagon that is ideally suited to seat a circular stack base (12).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supporting of the stack becomes even more simpler as the stack base diameter (8) is slightly increased by providing additional belling / flaring (7) in the bottom part (over & above the mandatory stack base diameter required as per the stack design code), so that the stack base diameter (8) is now perfectly suited to directly sit on the main square tower beams (28), and avoiding additional heavy intermediate beams at this level that would otherwise have been required due to a smaller stack base dimension. The stack (2) can now be easily bolted and supported on the vertical cylindrical fired heater (1).
The system further comprises a staircase (29) for the fired heater using only two additional columns (30) instead of four nos. of additional columns that are otherwise required for a staircase.
Accordingly, the structural configuration of the system is compact and simple design with suitable beams/ bracings in all directions to account for the tremendous gravity and wind loads acting on the large stack and distributing it evenly to the support members (13a & 13b). The system eliminates requirement of any additional columns / complex structure, thus saving the cost of additional structural steel and plot area. This system effectively provides a solution to situations where it is required to go for a ground mounted stack for the reasons that the Stack is too heavy to be mounted on a small VC Heater. Further, the robust structural arrangement of the system provides a good load transfer mechanism.
Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a robust structural configuration, in which the stack base supporting structure dimension is never smaller than stack base dimension therefore, the system will always work howsoever small the heater and/or howsoever large the stack (2) may be. This leads to saving in plot area, is cost effective and avoids congestion with better walkway availability around the VC Fired heater.
There is saving in plot area as the footprint is limited to that of just the fired heater. Headroom and walkway availability around the fired heater get improved, as there is no congestion due to additional members located at odd locations. On account of a simpler and reduced structural configuration, the construction time is substantially reduced.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure.
These and other modifications in the nature of the disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

EQUIVALENTS:
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word "comprise'", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

We Claim:

1. A system for supporting one or more components of a vertical and cylindrical
fired heater (1), wherein the vertical and cylindrical fired heater (1) comprising
a stack (2) supported on the top of the vertical and cylindrical fired heater (1),
the system comprising:
a plurality of support members (13a & 13b) placed at approximate equal angle on the ground in a predetermined manner; and
a plurality of beams (16) configured to join the plurality of support members with each other;
wherein the plurality of support members (13b) is joined with each other to form a closed structure for supporting the stack (2) of the vertical and cylindrical fired heater (1).
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined manner comprising a positioning of the support members (13a) between 88 to 92 degrees with each other wherein the support members (13a) are placed vertically on the ground along the length of the radiant section (3).
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of support members (13a & 13b) are four columns, each support member of the plurality of support members has consistent length and shape.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of support members (13a & 13b) are I-shaped support members.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stack (2) comprising a stack base (12) configured to be accommodated on the closed structure formed by the plurality of support members (13a & 13b).

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, the plurality of beams (16 & 28) is configured to couple the plurality of support members (13) to form a square structure for accommodating the stack base (12).
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of beams (28) and a plurality of secondary beams (27) are configured to couple the plurality of support members (13b) to form an octagon structure for accommodating the stack base (12).
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of circular stiffeners (18) is disposed at longitudinal intervals on each support member (13a) of the plurality of support members for strengthening a bond between the support members (13a) and the components of the vertical and cylindrical fired heater
(1).
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical and cylindrical fired
heater comprising
a radiant section (3) and a convection section (4) supported on the top of the radiant section (3), wherein the plurality of support members (13a & 13b) is configured to support the radiant section (3) as well as the convection section (4).
10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of support members (13a) is rotated at an angle from top of the radiant section (3) for aligning with the web perpendicular to the convection section (4).
11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plurality of support members (13a) is rotated between at angle (32) between 43 to 47 degree near an arch ring channel (15) location by using abase plate / cap plate splicing (19) arrangement.
12. The system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of ties (22) for tying each of the support members (13b) with the convection support members (20) to provide lateral restraint.
13. The system as claimed in claim 1, comprising additional beams (21) to prevent the lateral buckling of the support members (13b).