Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method that allows use of the same or similar material as the flow tubes for the supports and without requiring more expensive stainless or higher alloy supports. The disclosure provides one or more temperature moderated support tubes that allow the process fluid in the flow tubes to also pass through the support tubes. The benefit is that the process fluid moderates the temperature of the support tubes and hence the thermal expansion of the support tubes to be relatively consistent with the expansion of the flow tubes of the coil, and further benefits from additional heat transfer area using the support tubes. Thus, the support tubes can be made from the same or similar material as the flow tubes. The ledges/brackets could be also of the same material as the coil material.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an independent support of outlet system in a steam reformer furnace. The thermal expansion of the firebox and/or header box that occurs during operation of a reformer is decoupled from the manifold. The manifold is supported independently on a separate saddle support that supports and allows the manifold to move, while the manifold is still substantially enclosed in the header box. The header box is allowed to expand thermally into different configurations without forcing a substantial change in the manifold configuration. Further, the present invention allows the transfer lines coupled to the manifold through connection tees to laterally move the manifold and reduce lateral stress on the manifold. Thus, the invention provides for independent support of the manifold that allows vertical, lateral, and longitudinal thermal expansion of associated components without overstressing the manifold and causing failures.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an independent support of outlet system in a steam reformer furnace. The thermal expansion of the firebox and/or header box that occurs during operation of a reformer is decoupled from the manifold. The manifold is supported independently on a separate saddle support that supports and allows the manifold to move, while the manifold is still substantially enclosed in the header box. The header box is allowed to expand thermally into different configurations without forcing a substantial change in the manifold configuration. Further, the present invention allows the transfer lines coupled to the manifold through connection tees to laterally move the manifold and reduce lateral stress on the manifold. Thus, the invention provides for independent support of the manifold that allows vertical, lateral, and longitudinal thermal expansion of associated components without overstressing the manifold and causing failures.