On line mechanical cleaning of heat exchangers

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6132399

Stegelman, A F; Renfftlen, R

Discusses experiences with on line, continuous, mechanical cleaning of heat exchangers in a cat cracker and comparisons with other cleaning methods. Heat exchangers, including surface condensers, can be severely affected by waterside fouling and the insulating effect of the laminar layer of stagnant water next to the tube wall. Waterside fouling, which includes mineral scale, biofouling, silt and corrosion products, accounts for 33% of the total heat resistance. Waterside film of stagnant water accounts for 39%. Describes an on line continuous mechanical cleaning system utilizing specially engineered sponge rubber balls which are cycled through the condenser tubes in the cooling water. Presents graphs of calorimetric test comparison of mechanical and chemical cleaning; steam rate vs. condenser pressure; condenser pressure for air blower turbine before and after cleaning system installation; and calorimetric test of sponge-ball cleaning. Charge rate of cat crackers depends on the regenerator air delivered by a 10,000 hp air blower driven by a steam turbine operating on 720F steam at 400 psi. Key to turbine performance lies in maintaining design condenser vacuum.

• Research Organization: Phillips Petroleum Corp., Borger, Texas
• OSTI ID: 6132399
• Journal Information: Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States), Vol. 62:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
42 ENGINEERING
HEAT EXCHANGERS
CLEANING
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
BIOLOGICAL FOULING
CALORIMETRY
CATALYTIC CRACKING
CONDENSERS
CORROSION PRODUCTS
FOULING
STEAM TURBINES
WATER POLLUTION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CRACKING
DECOMPOSITION
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MACHINERY
POLLUTION
PYROLYSIS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
020400* - Petroleum- Processing
420400 - Engineering- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow