Novel Fouling Measurement Device

CATEGORY: FOULING 
Novel Fouling Measurement Device

Type	Journal Article
Author	D. Sinčić
Author	B. Ribić
URL	Free Full Text Source:  http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=195547
Volume	28
Issue	4
Pages	465-472
Publication	Chem. Biochem. Eng. Q.
Date	2014
Abstract	During processing, refinery hydrocarbons are heated temperatures ranging from 250 to 550 °C. This results in deposits adhering to the walls of the processing equipment. The fouling of process units walls interferes with heat transfer, causing problema in the petrochemical industry. When the decrease in heat transfer efficiency becomes so severe that the required temperature cannot be reached, the operation must be stopped and the equipment cleaned. The problem appears to be most inetnse in crude oil distillation units. Consequently, the monitoring of the fouling process is an important technical problem, and various approaches and instruments have been proposed. Three groups of instruments may be singled out: 1. Small scale heat exchangers that are actually replicas of the industrial equipment. They require an appreciable amount of liquid. The extensive time for achieving conditions where heat transfer characteristics alteration appears as a consequence of fouling processes is the main reason why a considerable amount of total time is needed to achieve useful results; 2. Autoclaves – there are two possible constructions: a. Cylindrical heated probe upward mounted on the bottom of the vessel around which stirred liquid circulates12; b. Heated probe mounted vertically in the vessel with liquid flowing alongside13. The flow is induced by the helical impeller positioned above the probe. 3. Hot-wire instruments14. The wall of the process equipment is simulated by the hot wire.