Fouling Problem

[dreamschool]

We are looking for new technology to avoid fouling on the heat exchanger. Is there any thing can reduce fouling....or any cleaning process is recommended.

The Type: Kettle
Service: Hydrocarbon/ Steam

 

[25362]

I've seen kettle reboilers with liquids having a high polymerizing (coking) tendency on the shell side, using finned tubes. Users reported HTC values were good over a lapse of many years of continuous operation w/o cleaning.

 

[daubery]

Hi 'dreamschool',

The actual amount of 'fouling' that you may find on your HX will depend on a number of factors. But, if your designer used a 'heavy' Fouling Factor during the design, this generally will provide around 2 years of service, before cleaning is required.

In general, the 'fouling factors' are so heavy, that they tend to 'overshadow' all other heat-transfer coefficients - especially in Petroleum Refinery applications.

Regards,

Des Aubery...
(adTherm Technology -

http://www.adtherm.com

- des@adtherm.com )

Best regards,

Des Aubery...
(adTherm Technology -

http://www.adtherm.com

- info@adtherm.com)

 

[finman]

Look into a tube design called "Integron", these tubes have a rolled rifling on the outside of the tube which stops short of the tube plates.

These tubes have been described as self cleaning due to any fouling cracking off during the Expansion and contraction cycles.

I think there is a company called Turbex in california that do them (amongst others).

 

[daubery]

Now... that's a neat trick...

Best regards,

Des Aubery...
(adTherm Technology -

http://www.adtherm.com

- info@adtherm.com)