Pideya Learning Academy

Heater and Heat Exchanger Troubleshooting Skills

Upcoming Schedules

  • Live Online Training
  • Classroom Training

Date Venue Duration Fee (USD)
11 Aug - 15 Aug 2025 Live Online 5 Day 2750
08 Sep - 12 Sep 2025 Live Online 5 Day 2750
17 Nov - 21 Nov 2025 Live Online 5 Day 2750
22 Dec - 26 Dec 2025 Live Online 5 Day 2750
13 Jan - 17 Jan 2025 Live Online 5 Day 2750
17 Feb - 21 Feb 2025 Live Online 5 Day 2750
12 May - 16 May 2025 Live Online 5 Day 2750
30 Jun - 04 Jul 2025 Live Online 5 Day 2750

Course Overview

In an era where industrial competitiveness is deeply tied to operational reliability and energy efficiency, optimizing thermal systems has become a business imperative. The Heater and Heat Exchanger Troubleshooting Skills course by Pideya Learning Academy offers a comprehensive exploration of the critical systems that drive heat transfer processes in energy-intensive operations. Designed for professionals in refining, petrochemicals, power generation, and related sectors, this training equips participants with the essential knowledge to identify performance bottlenecks, troubleshoot issues, and implement strategies for sustained operational efficiency.
Heaters and heat exchangers are integral to nearly every stage of industrial processing. Globally, thermal energy accounts for over 70% of industrial energy use, with heat exchangers alone responsible for up to 60% of all energy transfer tasks in sectors such as oil and gas, food processing, and chemicals. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), improving the efficiency of heat exchangers could cut industrial energy consumption by up to 20%, while the U.S. Department of Energy notes that poorly managed fired heaters contribute significantly to over 40% of combustion-related emissions in manufacturing plants. These figures underscore the importance of developing robust operational and diagnostic skills to mitigate energy losses, reduce emissions, and avoid unplanned downtime.
To address these pressing industry needs, Pideya Learning Academy has carefully designed this Heater and Heat Exchanger Troubleshooting Skills course to deliver both depth and relevance. The training provides a structured understanding of the principles of heat transfer—including conduction, convection, and radiation—while diving deep into the behavior of thermal systems under different load and operational scenarios. Participants will study flow arrangements such as counter-current and parallel-flow configurations, gain familiarity with materials selection, understand common failure modes, and evaluate system responses to varying process conditions.
Throughout the course, learners are introduced to industry-specific challenges including fouling, thermal fatigue, burner misalignment, flame instability, and hotspot development. Special focus is given to troubleshooting techniques for both shell-and-tube and air-cooled exchangers, as well as horizontal and vertical heater configurations. Participants will explore structured methodologies to identify root causes of performance issues, implement preventive strategies, and align their practices with evolving regulatory and operational standards.
Among the key highlights of the training are:
Comprehensive analysis of flow patterns and pressure drop behavior in different exchanger designs.
Fault detection strategies for tube-side and shell-side anomalies including corrosion, erosion, and scale buildup.
Procedures for safe isolation, inspection, and recommissioning of thermal systems.
Evaluation techniques for combustion efficiency, burner performance, and flue gas temperature profiles.
Step-by-step methodologies for heater start-up and shutdown in accordance with operational safety norms.
Insights into tube rupture risks, overheating, and refractory failures, with preventative maintenance frameworks.
Real-world industrial case references that demonstrate root cause analysis and failure prevention.
This training is uniquely positioned to help professionals integrate operational knowledge with diagnostic reasoning, ensuring consistent system performance while meeting environmental and safety compliance benchmarks. Rather than limiting participants to theoretical exposure, Pideya Learning Academy emphasizes real-world application through scenario-based insights and peer learning environments. By mastering the intricacies of heater and heat exchanger systems, participants will be empowered to make confident, impactful decisions that safeguard assets and optimize throughput.
Whether you are an operator overseeing day-to-day functions or an engineer responsible for performance analysis, the Heater and Heat Exchanger Troubleshooting Skills course will elevate your understanding and transform your approach to thermal systems. Delivered by seasoned industry experts, this program enables participants to contribute meaningfully to plant safety, reliability, and sustainability—key priorities in today’s industrial landscape.

Key Takeaways:

  • Comprehensive analysis of flow patterns and pressure drop behavior in different exchanger designs.
  • Fault detection strategies for tube-side and shell-side anomalies including corrosion, erosion, and scale buildup.
  • Procedures for safe isolation, inspection, and recommissioning of thermal systems.
  • Evaluation techniques for combustion efficiency, burner performance, and flue gas temperature profiles.
  • Step-by-step methodologies for heater start-up and shutdown in accordance with operational safety norms.
  • Insights into tube rupture risks, overheating, and refractory failures, with preventative maintenance frameworks.
  • Real-world industrial case references that demonstrate root cause analysis and failure prevention.
  • Comprehensive analysis of flow patterns and pressure drop behavior in different exchanger designs.
  • Fault detection strategies for tube-side and shell-side anomalies including corrosion, erosion, and scale buildup.
  • Procedures for safe isolation, inspection, and recommissioning of thermal systems.
  • Evaluation techniques for combustion efficiency, burner performance, and flue gas temperature profiles.
  • Step-by-step methodologies for heater start-up and shutdown in accordance with operational safety norms.
  • Insights into tube rupture risks, overheating, and refractory failures, with preventative maintenance frameworks.
  • Real-world industrial case references that demonstrate root cause analysis and failure prevention.

Course Objectives

After completing this Pideya Learning Academy training, the participants will learn to:
Operate and troubleshoot heat exchangers and fired heaters in an industrial setting.
Understand the principles of heat transfer and key variables affecting thermal performance.
Differentiate various flow arrangements and major components of heat exchangers.
Apply systematic procedures for decommissioning and commissioning heat exchangers.
Identify the structural components of horizontal and vertical furnaces.
Classify gas burners and explain their operational characteristics and fuel-air dynamics.
Implement furnace start-up and shutdown protocols aligned with safety standards.
Detect and interpret signs of faults such as tube thinning, hotspots, and tube-side failures.
Evaluate thermal equipment performance and apply optimization techniques.
Identify root causes and mitigation strategies for recurring heat exchanger and heater issues.
Follow safe operational practices and environmental compliance for fired heater systems.

Personal Benefits

Participants who attend this course will gain:
In-depth technical knowledge of heat exchangers and fired heaters.
The ability to detect and analyze faults using systematic approaches.
Enhanced decision-making skills for equipment troubleshooting and optimization.
Improved understanding of thermal systems, combustion behavior, and process safety.
Confidence to lead maintenance operations and suggest performance improvements.

Organisational Benefits

Organizations that nominate their personnel for this training will benefit by:
Reducing unplanned maintenance and operational downtime.
Enhancing plant safety through structured troubleshooting methodologies.
Increasing thermal system efficiency and reducing energy costs.
Ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards.
Strengthening operational resilience and process reliability.
Developing in-house expertise for critical equipment management.

Who Should Attend

This training is ideal for professionals involved in operations, maintenance, or engineering roles in thermal systems and process facilities. Recommended attendees include:
Supervisors and Plant Operators
Process Engineers and Section Heads
Shift Controllers and Control Room Technicians
Mechanical Maintenance Engineers
Reliability and Safety Specialists
Environmental and Utility Personnel

Course Outline

Module 1: Fundamentals of Heat Transfer and Thermal Behavior
Mechanisms of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation Heat flux and temperature gradients Impact of surface fouling on thermal performance Fouling factors in industrial systems Heat transfer enhancement techniques Influence of heat exchanger configuration on heat transfer efficiency
Module 2: Principles of Combustion and Thermal Reactions
Stoichiometric, lean, and rich combustion processes Combustion air requirements and efficiency analysis Excess air impact on fuel utilization Chemical kinetics of hydrocarbon combustion Differences between premixed and diffusion flames Flue gas composition analysis and interpretation Emission control strategies with emphasis on NOx reduction
Module 3: Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers – Configuration and Performance
Classification of shell and tube heat exchangers Mechanical components: shells, tubes, baffles, and tube sheets Shell-side and tube-side flow arrangements Design considerations: LMTD and effectiveness-NTU method Common operational challenges and failure modes Thermal stress and vibration analysis Inspection and performance evaluation techniques
Module 4: Advanced Compact Heat Exchanger Technologies
Overview of compact and high-efficiency heat exchanger types Construction and working of air-cooled heat exchangers Thermal and mechanical design of plate heat exchangers Material selection and corrosion control in compact designs Comparative analysis: plate vs. finned tube exchangers Heat exchanger fouling and mitigation in compact units Inspection, cleaning, and maintenance protocols
Module 5: Troubleshooting Techniques for Heat Exchangers
Root cause analysis for underperforming heat exchangers Identification of pressure drop and flow distribution issues Thermal imaging and monitoring tools Leak detection and remediation strategies Mechanical integrity checks and NDT applications Predictive maintenance and failure prevention
Module 6: Fired Heaters – Design and Operating Principles
Fired heater classifications and process applications Burner types and firing mechanisms Heat transfer surfaces: radiant, convection, and shield sections Fuel system and burner management controls Flame detection and safety interlock systems Standard operating procedures for steady-state conditions
Module 7: Advanced Control Strategies in Fired Heaters
Instrumentation and control loops for heater performance Burner management system (BMS) logic and sequences Draft control and excess oxygen optimization Automatic combustion control systems (ACC) Heater start-up and shutdown sequencing Temperature uniformity and heat balance monitoring
Module 8: Fired Heater Efficiency and Performance Monitoring
Key performance indicators (KPIs) in fired heater systems Skin temperature monitoring and control Coking mechanisms and mitigation techniques Flue gas analysis for performance diagnostics Radiation section performance assessment Real-time monitoring systems and data logging
Module 9: Fired Heater Troubleshooting and Failure Diagnostics
Common faults in fired heaters and root causes Abnormal operation response frameworks Plugging, flame instability, and refractory degradation Troubleshooting air/fuel mixture imbalances Emergency shutdown protocols Incident analysis and corrective action planning
Module 10: Applied Case Studies and Industry Scenarios
Real-world fired heater performance improvement examples Heat exchanger failure case investigations Energy efficiency improvements in thermal systems Combustion tuning and optimization scenarios Lessons learned from industry accidents and near misses Best practices from global refinery and petrochemical sectors

Have Any Question?

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