Fouling of FCCU slurry systems is a common phenomenon encountered by refiners. The fractionator bottom and the slurry heat exchangers are two common locations where fouling is experienced. Such occurrences impede heat transfer across the surface of exchangers resulting in reduced efficiency of FCC operations. The paper will focus on the use of both traditional and new analytical techniques in predicting fouling characteristics of slurry oils. Such tools have allowed ONDEO Nalco Energy Services to identify the molecular nature of the fouling precursors and develop a broad slurry database. Characterization of average molecular composition and bulk properties of these streams helps understand mechanisms affecting their behavior towards fouling. This in turn helps in devising methods to mitigate fouling of such systems.
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