What Reformer Inspection Challenges Can Teach Us About Safer, More Reliable Operations
September 2026 | Presentation Blog
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For ammonia, methanol, and related process facilities, reformers are among the most critical assets in daily operation. They also present some of the most complex inspection and integrity challenges. Hidden degradation, aging components, limited inspection access, and remaining life uncertainty can make it difficult for operators to know when to repair, replace, or continue monitoring key equipment.
At the 2026 AIChE 70th Annual Safety in Ammonia Plants and Related Facilities Symposium in Montreal Canada, Quest Integrity shared two technical presentations that addressed these challenges from different but complementary perspectives: one focused on reformer convection section tubing life management, and the other on proactive integrity management for aging reformer outlet components.
Understanding the Condition of Reformer Convection Section Tubing
Life Management of Reformer Convection Section Tubing, presented by Olivia Chung, Timothy Haugen, and Charles Thomas, examined the inspection challenges associated with reformer convection section coils and outlined available solutions for improving visibility, life assessment, and condition monitoring.
Managing the Risk of Aging Reformer Outlet Components
Ensuring Safe Operation of Aging Reformer Outlet Components Through Proactive Integrity Management, presented by Daniel Blanks, Nicholas Goodman, and Travis Gray with Quest Integrity, and Syed Muhammad Hassan Murtaza Gardezi with Fauji Fertilizer Company, shared a case study demonstrating how advanced fitness-for-service assessment, metallurgical testing, and finite element analysis helped Fauji Fertilizer Company identify critical creep damage in an aging SMR hot collector, implement a phased replacement strategy, and safely manage asset integrity while maintaining plant reliability.
Turning Technical Findings Into Better Decisions
Together, these presentations show how operators can move from inspection challenges to actionable integrity decisions by combining advanced inspection methods with engineering analysis to better understand equipment condition, evaluate remaining life, and plan maintenance or replacement with greater confidence.
Want to learn more?
Get your copy of the presentations presented at the AIChE 70th Annual Safety in Ammonia Plants and Related Facilities Symposium.
