F-11 Comparison of Crude Oil Fouling on Plain and Finned Tubes in Longitudinal Flow

J. W. Palen

2001

This report compares the results of a study of crude oil fouling rates of unfinned and externally finned HTRI heater rods using an Arabian medium crude. We tested the fouling behavior for annular fins and longitudinal flow over a range of surface temperatures and velocities. Tests showed a possible advantage of the finned surface for flow at high velocities; however, at low velocities and high surface temperatures, the finned surface performed relatively poorly.