Shell & Tube Condenser Replacement for Offshore Platform HVAC

Project Overview

An offshore production platform in Southeast Asia needed to replace a corroded shell-and-tube condenser in the HVAC central plant. The unit operates with seawater cooling in a tropical marine environment, requiring CuNi 90/10 tube material for long-term corrosion resistance.

Challenge

• ABS classification required for the replacement unit
• Exact dimensional match to existing foundation bolting pattern (no structural modifications allowed on platform)
• CuNi 90/10 tubes with long lead time — typically 8-10 weeks for material alone
• Platform shutdown window limited to 14 days for equipment changeout

Our Solution

Hicool sourced the condenser from a manufacturer with CuNi tube stock inventory, eliminating the material lead time bottleneck:

• 1× Shell & Tube Condenser — 450 kW, R134a refrigerant / seawater, CuNi 90/10 tubes
• Carbon steel shell with marine epoxy coating, ABS-certified pressure test
• Tube bundle designed for individual tube plugging (maintenance-friendly)
• Complete dimensional survey to match existing mounting — drawings approved before production

Results

• 38-day delivery — achieved by using manufacturer's CuNi tube stock
• ABS survey passed at factory, certificate issued before shipment
• Platform installation completed in 3 days (within the 14-day window)
• HVAC system recommissioned with improved cooling performance (new unit 12% more efficient than the corroded original)

Key Takeaway

Offshore equipment replacements are constrained by platform shutdown windows and classification requirements. Sourcing from manufacturers with critical material inventory (like CuNi tubes) can compress lead times from months to weeks.