Evaluation of laboratory crude oil threshold fouling data for application to refinery pre-heat trains

`Thresholdʹ models for crude oil fouling present a logical framework for analysing chronic fouling problems in refinery pre-heat trains. Few complete data sets of fouling thresholds in crude oil exist: this paper presents a modelling (correlation) study of the data set obtained by Knudsen et al. [Understanding Heat Exchanger Fouling and its Mitigation, Begell House, New York, 1999, p. 265] for threshold fouling experiments performed in a pilot plant. The threshold fouling equation proposed previously by Ebert and Panchal, and extended by Panchal et al. [Understanding Heat Exchanger Fouling and its Mitigation, Begell House, New York, 1999, p. 273] has been modified following a critique of some of its underlying assumptions. These previous efforts in developing threshold fouling equations were based on observed fouling rates, extrapolated to yield operating conditions that presumably exhibit zero fouling. This study represents an attempt to model measured physical parameters that actually resulted in no observable fouling. The validity of such a model to describe threshold fouling conditions in refinery pre-heat exchangers is discussed.