F-9 Quantifying Petroleum Fouling of Refinery Heat Exchangers: A Literature Survey

Author(s):
G. M. Jones and T. R. Bott
Published:
1999
Abstract:

This literature survey concentrates on organic fouling in refineries and covers four major areas of fouling investigations:

  • theoretical mechanisms
  • field and laboratory data
  • fouling monitors
  • predictive models

In addition to summarizing recent findings, the survey also offers a critique of the relative value of individual studies. The most important present needs are to

  1. improve TEMA recommendation
  2. provide more reliable predictive models

Currently there are insufficient reliable data to accomplish these goals. A cooperative effort among refiners, however, could bring about the support necessary for genuine progress in understanding organic fouling.