Shell Thermia Oil B
Paraffinic Mineral Oil For
Closed Heat-Transfer Systems
Shell Thermia Oil B is a paraffinic mineral oil heat transfer fluid for indirect
closed fluid heat transfer systems operating at bulk temperatures up to 320°C,
provided that there is adequate pump circulation to ensure that local film
temperatures on the heater surfaces do not exceed 340 °C
Applications
• Heat transfer fluid for indirect closed fluid
heat transfer systems operating at bulk
temperatures up to 320°C
Peformance Features
• Good low temperature properties
Shell Thermia Oil B is fluid down to -18°C.
Therefore no special precautions are
necessary when closing down plant in cold
weather. Should the temperature fall below
-18°C no expansion takes place.
• Low vapour pressure
Below temperatures of 320°C, the vapour
pressure of Thermia B is less than
atmospheric pressure. High pressure
pipework and heat exchangers, used with
vapour phase heat transfer fluids, are
therefore unnecessary.
• Good heat transfer characteristics
Shell Thermia Oil B has a relatively low
viscosity with good temperature/viscosity
characteristics which ensure high heat
transfer coefficients and consistent
properties cover a wide temperature range.
Performance Benefits
• Low cost
• High thermal stability
• Operating temperature range from -18°C to
+ 320°C.
• Good oxidation stability
• Low viscosity to promote high heat transfer
coefficients
• Good viscosity/temperature characteristics
• Low vapour pressure
• Non-corrosive
• Non-toxic
Shell Thermia Oil B PDS v01
Resistance to Cracking & Oxidation
Mineral oils are subject to two forms of
degradation during use:
1. Cracking or the breaking down of
hydrocarbon molecules by heat. Here a
large molecule ruptures into smaller
molecules. Some appear as volatile gases,
while others are unstable and polymerise
into non-soluble deposits. The rate of
cracking is insignificant until temperatures
of around 320°C are reached. Above this
temperature the rate rises steeply.
2. Oxidation or the reaction of hydrocarbon oil
with atmospheric oxygen. At room
temperature this reaction occurs very
slowly, but it accelerates rapidly with
increasing temperature. Oxidation
produces acids in the oil and, at a later
stage, sludge. The viscosity of the oil
generally increases.
Shell Thermia Oil B is based on carefully
selected, highly refined, high viscosity index
paraffinic base oils. It has exceptionally good
stability at bulk temperatures up to 320°C. The
rates of cracking and oxidation are very low,
giving maximum oil life. This assumes an
efficient fluid heater with good pump circulation
so that film temperatures on the heater
surfaces do not exceed 340°C.
Service Life
The life of Shell Thermia Oil B in any system
depends on the design and usage of the
system. If it is well designed and not subjected
to abnormal workloads the life can be many
years. It is important to monitor oil condition
regularly as rates of change in physical
characteristics are more significant than actual
values. A sample should be taken from any
newly-filled system about one week after start-
up to establish a datum. Further samples
should then be taken every 6 months and the
results compared with the previous samples.
The properties which should be monitored are
viscosity, acidity, flash points and insolubles
content.
1/06/05
Designing and Operating Notes the system is flushed and drained, it should be
filled with fresh Shell Thermia Oil B. The
A potential source of damage to a heat transfer
system should be filled until the expansion tank
oil is the heater. To avoid trouble the circulation
is a quarter full when the oil is cold. The tank
pump should be capable of producing fully
should have a capacity equal to 50% of the oil
turbulent oil flow through the heater with
volume in the remainder of the system if the
surface speeds of between 2 and 3.5 metres
operating temperature is 300°C but a small
per second according to surface geometry.
capacity will suffice if the temperature is lower.
The heat flux should be kept to a minimum to
During initial operation, the temperature should
reduce film temperature. The maximum film
be increased gradually and steam and air
temperature for Thermia Oil B is 340°C
carefully vented from the lines. The heater
The heater should contain a minimum of should be operated continuously until all air
refractory in its construction so that heat soak- and steam have been expelled from the
back into the oil is reduced should the system before full temperature is imposed.
circulation pump fail. Thermal response is also During this initial period, all strainers should be
improved. Direct flame impingement onto the checked and cleaned frequently.
oil tubes should be avoided so as to prevent
local overheating and excessive film Typical Properties
temperatures.
Kinematic Viscosity (cSt)
An expansion tank is necessary to allow for the @ 0°C ISO3104 229
change in fluid volume upon heating or cooling. @ 40°C 24.6
The volume of mineral oil at 300°C is about 20 @ 100°C 4.65
@ 200°C 1.18
percent greater than at room temperature. The
@ 300°C 0.57
tank should be large enough to accept the total
Viscosity index ISO2909 105
heat expansion within its own dimensions. It
Density @ 15°C ISO3675 0.868
should be the highest point in the oil circuit and
be connected to the system on the pump Pour point (°C) ISO3016 -18
suction side to provide an adequate static heat. Flash point, closed (°C) IS02719 220
Circulation through the expansion tank can be Flash point, open (°C) IS02592 232
prevented by some means such as a U-bend Fire point (°C) ISO2592 255
below the point where it joints the main circuit. Initial boiling point (°C) - 355
Auto ignition temperature (°C) ASTM 375
The pipe connecting expansion tank to the D2155
system should be small bore and unlagged so Coefficient of thermal 0.00076
that the oil in the tank exposed to air is cool. If expansion per (°C)
any hot oil is allowed to come into contact with Neutralisation value (mg IP139 0.05
the atmosphere it is likely to deteriorate in a KOH/g)
comparatively short time due to oxidation. In a Specific Heat (Kcal/kg,°C)
well-designed and properly operated system 0°C 0.432
oxidation of the oil is negligible. 20°C 0.449
50°C 0.475
The whole system should be instrumented to 0.518
100°C
monitor oil temperature and flow at critical 150°C 0.562
points, i.e. either side of the heater. It should 200°C 0.605
have fail-safe devices so that pump failure or 250°C 0.649
excessive temperature will trip the heater. 300°C 0.692
Constant flow through the heater should be 320°C 0.709
maintained regardless of conditions at the
process vessel and this can be achieved by a Health and Safety
by-pass line across the process vessel
containing a constant pressure valve capable Shell Thermia Oil B is unlikely to pose any
of taking full oil flow. toxic hazard when used in the recommended
applications, provided good standards of
personal and industrial hygiene are observed.
Pre-commissioning
Before the heat transfer system is For further guidance on health and safety refer
commissioned for use, the system should be to the leaflet, 'Shell Lubricants and Related
pressure-tested for leaks and then thoroughly Products Guide to Health and Safety'. In this
flushed with Shell Thermia Oil B. Air is guide, under Product Precautions, Shell
preferred for pressure testing the system. Thermia Oil B is classified as Type I
Water should never be used for flushing. After

Shell Thermia Oil B PDS v01 1/06/05

Shell Thermia Oil B PDS v01 1/06/05
Shell Thermia Oil B PDS v01 1/06/05