RTC - More Information
The HTRI Research & Technology Center (RTC) is a multimillion dollar project that includes a 2090 m² (22500 ft²) research facility with five operating research units and supporting facilities and equipment. Test units include the High Temperature Fouling Unit (HTFU), the Multipurpose Boiling Unit (MBU), the Multipurpose Condensation Unit (MCU), the Prototype Testing Unit (PTU), and the Tubeside Single-Phase Unit (TSPU). These research units can be customized to meet the changing needs of our customers. We also are available to conduct research and construct new rigs under contract.
The facility′s physical plant includes a 500-horsepower Johnson Boiler with a heating capacity of 4980 kW (17 million Btu/hr) and a two-cell Marley cooling tower with a stainless steel basin and a cooling capacity of 6150 kW (21 million Btu/hr), two cooling tower pumps, two 50 hp. (200 cfm) air compressors, a 500 cfm air dryer, and condensate return vessel and pumps.
The machine shop equipment includes a milling machine, lathe, drill press, band saw, pipe threader, and welding equipment. Instrumentation testing is performed on site using various calibration devices. An onsite laboratory allows our technicians to perform tests ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and to analyze fluids from the research units.
The RTC enhances our research capabilities by providing a controlled environment for testing, little affected by adverse weather conditions.
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High Temperature Fouling Unit (HTFU)Using two test sections for a single fluid, the HTFU provides thermal performance data for fluids such as gas oils or crude oils in any flow regime for any metallurgy. Originally commissioned in 1994, the HTFU has recently been redesigned. | ||
| Maximum surface temperature | 398.9 °C (750 °F) | ||
| Maximum bulk temperature | 315.6 °C (600 °F) | ||
| Maximum pressure | 5962 kPa (864.7 psia) | ||
| Maximum flow rate | 0.95 L/s (15 gpm) | ||
| Test section power | 3.6 kW (12294 Btu/hr) | ||
Multipurpose Boiling Unit (MBU)Commissioned in 1995, the MBU measures heat transfer for different flow boiling regimes and pressure drop for various two-phase flow phenomena. It can test different geometries including compact surfaces and enhanced tubes using hydrocarbon mixtures and pure substances. |
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| Temperature range | 15.5 – 204 °C (60 – 400 °F) | ||
| Pressure range | 3.5 – 3448 kPa (0.5 – 500 psia) | ||
| Flow rate | 0.76 l/s (12 gpm) | ||
| Maximum heat flux | 315 kW/m² (100000 Btu/hr ft²) | ||
| Vapor quality at inlet | 0 – 0.9 | ||
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Multipurpose Condensation Unit (MCU)The MCU, originally commissioned in 1986 in California, was transported in 1991 to the Research Facility and moved again in 2006 to the RTC. At each move, we have modified its design to maximize its effectiveness. The MCU tests heat and mass transfer and pressure drop performance for tubeside, shellside, and reflux condensation over a wide range of operating conditions, including vacuum and high pressure. | ||
| Temperature range | 21 – 204 °C (70 – 400 °F) | ||
| Pressure range | 3.4 – 3103 kPa (0.5 – 450 psia) | ||
| Flow rate | 0.63 l/s (10 gpm) | ||
| Vapor generator power | 180 kW (0.615 MM Btu/hr) | ||
Prototype Testing Unit (PTU)Running both water-based and hydrocarbon-based test fluids, the PTU allows for simultaneous testing of four prototype exchangers—two single-phase, one boiling, and one condensing. |
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| Design pressure | 2862 kPa (415 psia) | ||
| Design temperature | 21 – 204 °C (70 – 400 °F) | ||
| Pump capacity | 3.155 l/s (50 gpm) | ||
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Tubeside Single-Phase Unit (TSPU)The newest test unit, the TSPU features single tube test sections: a high temperature test section (HTTS) and a low temperature test section (LTTS). The HTTS and LTTS are capable of operating in series or individually with full fluid bypass. A 33.3 liter (8.8 US gallon) feed tank serves as an accumulator and bulk fluid access point. An auxiliary hairpin heat exchanger provides the excess heating or cooling required to maintain steady-state operating conditions during test runs. | ||
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Tube diameter |
12.7 – 63.5 mm (0.5 – 2.5 in.) | ||
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Tube length |
up to 6.2 m (20 ft) | ||
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Flow regimes |
Deep laminar (Re < 1) to fully turbulent (Re > 150000) | ||
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Maximum fluid viscosity |
~ 30000 cP | ||
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Flow rate |
up to 0.63 l/s (10 gpm) | ||
| Fluid bulk temperature | ambient – 260 °C (500 °F) | ||
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Maximum system operating pressure |
2862 kPa (415 psia) | ||