Online Cleaning: Different Units That Benefit from It

In the refining and petrochemical industries, time is money, so maintaining continuous, efficient equipment operation is critical. That’s where online cleaning comes in, a specialized chemical decontamination process that safely cleans units without requiring a full shutdown, minimizing operational risks and extending equipment run time.

ZymeFlow, a leader in chemical decontamination, offers patented chemistries and tailored applications that enable plants to enhance performance, reduce hazards, and streamline turnarounds efficiently. Let’s explore which units benefit most from this method and how tailored chemistries support safe, rapid, and effective online cleaning.

Units That Benefit Most from Online Cleaning

Several key units within refineries and petrochemical plants benefit greatly from online cleaning, including:

Hydrotreaters and Reboilers

These critical process units are susceptible to fouling and scaling, particularly in vacuum and atmospheric towers. Online cleaning helps remove deposits, recover efficiency, and reduce the likelihood of unplanned outages, all while the system remains in place.

Heat Exchangers and Piping

Fouled exchangers and blocked piping create energy inefficiencies and flow issues. ZymeFlow’s online chemical circulation and Vapour-Phase™ methods improve throughput without requiring mechanical cleaning or removal of the equipment.

How Online Cleaning Works

ZymeFlow’s approach to industrial online cleaning involves custom-designed processes and proprietary chemical formulations. Depending on the application, this may include Vapour-Phase™ , liquid circulation, or even fill-and-soak methods, each tailored to the unit’s layout and contamination type.

Key targets for decontamination include:

• Aphaltenic fouling
• Hydrocarbon buildup
• Pyrophoric materials
• Benzene
• Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)

A typical workflow includes:

1. Pre-cleaning planning with plant operations
2. Application of Rezyd  chemistries while the system remains in service or isolated
3. Continuous monitoring to ensure safe gas evolution, contaminant levels, and system cleaning

ZymeFlow’s team brings over 35 years of experience and adheres to the highest EHS compliance standards, minimizing worker exposure and environmental risk.

Operational and Compliance Advantages

The benefits of online cleaning go far beyond reduced unplanned downtime:

• Support Scheduled Turnaround: Reduce hazardous inventories and contamination levels in advance.
• Environmental Compliance: ZymeFlow’s water-based, biodegradable formulations are VOC-compliant and safe for wastewater systems and downstream units.
• Cost Savings: Avoid pulling equipment off-line for manual cleaning,   additional labor and materials requirements, all while extending asset life.

Smarter Cleaning Without the Shutdown

Online cleaning is a strategic maintenance solution that bridges the gap between turnarounds, improves operational reliability, and extends equipment life in refinery and petrochemical plants. ZymeFlow’s industrial decontamination services provide fast, safe, and effective cleaning solutions that can prevent equipment downtime and keep your operations moving.

With a proven track record and powerful, patented chemistries, ZymeFlow is your trusted partner for refinery turnaround planning and online cleaning support. Contact us today to learn how our tailored online cleaning services can reduce downtime, improve performance, and support your compliance goals.