ISSN Online: 2377-424X
ISBN Print: 0-85295-345-3
International Heat Transfer Conference 10
USE OF WIRE MATRIX INSERTS TO CONTROL HYDROCARBON FOULING: CURRENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS
Sinopsis
The wire matrix tube insert (HiTRAN® System)*, developed by Cal Gavin originally for the purpose of improving heat transfer in relatively low Reynolds number process applications, has also been shown to be very effective in reducing substantially the extent of fouling from two quite different hydrocarbon streams. Firstly, a system of shell and tube exchangers designed and fitted with matrix inserts and used for heating tar oil streams has now operated for over 10 years with no perceptible loss of performance. Prior to this, a trial exchanger in this service not fitted with inserts, had a run time as low as two months. Secondly, pilot-scale research with light Arabian crude oil containing a waxy residue from a storage tank has shown that the presence of an insert in a heat exchanger tube can reduce substantially the extent of fouling and the effect is not simply one of reducing the surface temperature. It seems that the presence of an insert can also affect transport phenomena in several beneficial ways.
* Matrix Tube Elements are manufactured under patent licence by Cal Gavin Ltd and are marketed under the registered name HiTRAN.
* Matrix Tube Elements are manufactured under patent licence by Cal Gavin Ltd and are marketed under the registered name HiTRAN.