Petrochemicals
Petrochemicals form the foundation for countless everyday products – from fuels and plastics to solvents and medicines. FOERSTER supports the safety and reliability of complex petrochemical plants with advanced testing technologies for pipes, furnaces, and high-temperature components exposed to extreme operating conditions.
Petrochemical plants convert crude oil and natural gas into essential base chemicals used across numerous industries — including hydrogen production, methanol and ammonia synthesis, and the generation of CO₂-rich syngas. A key process in this context is steam reforming, in which light hydrocarbons are converted into hydrogen-rich synthesis gas inside vertically arranged reformer tubes filled with a nickel-based catalyst. The endothermic reaction requires external firing and exposes the tubes to extremely high temperatures and mechanical stress. These demanding operating conditions lead to creep deformation, crack formation, and material degradation over time — particularly in reforming furnaces and extensive high-temperature piping systems.
This is where the FOERSTER Inspection Service comes into play: Specialized on-site inspections using FOERSTER’s proprietary eddy current and magnetic technologies provide precise assessments of material integrity. By detecting cracks, creep damage, and structural changes at an early stage, the FOERSTER Inspection Service helps plant operators prevent failures, reduce downtime, and significantly extend component lifetime. Wherever maximum material reliability is essential, FOERSTER delivers the precision and expertise required to ensure safe and efficient plant operation.