EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL FOULING MITIGATION IN CRUDE REFINING OPERATIONS BY UTILIZING MECHANICAL ONLINE CLEANING DEVICES

摘要

Heat exchanger tube inserts have been used for many years as practical methods for fouling control and heat transfer enhancement, and their benefits are clearly established in numerous industrial installations and test applications. Through a combination of increased turbulence and movements, either by vibration or rotation, a reduction of the tube side fouling (mechanical effect) and an improvement of the heat transfer rate (turbulent effect) are achieved. Applied in refineries and chemical plants, benefits include energy savings, extended run lengths of exchangers, reduction in maintenance costs, production enhancements and de-bottlenecking, as well as reduction of CO_x, NO_x emissions.