F-10 Fouling Data for Six Crude Oils

D. C. Longstaff and J. W. Palen

2001

Between 1996 and 1999, HTRI tested the fouling rates of six crude oils with widely different compositions to

• determine fouling rate as a function of velocity and temperature
• predict fouling thresholds and fouling factors as a function of operating time for a given wall temperature and velocity

A substantial difference in fouling behavior among the various crudes was demonstrated, possibly relating to the relative composition of saturates, asphaltenes, resins, and aromatics in each crude. This report, therefore, recommends additional crude oil tests and process data from crude preheat train exchangers to validate and refine a general prediction method.