How to prevent scaling in the tube bundles of crude oil heat exchangers in the petrochemical industry?
Thread Content
The image below shows the tube bundle of the crude oil atmospheric and vacuum distillation unit in the petrochemical industry. Operating conditions: Tubing: medium, diesel; temperature 128°C, pressure 0.86 MPa. Shell side: Medium, crude oil; temperature 80°C, pressure 2.28 MPa. The outer wall of the tube bundle is covered with a considerable amount of crude oil scale. What methods can be used to avoid it?
1. Increase the heating temperature of crude oil: By raising the heating temperature of crude oil, it is possible to reduce the deposition of waxes and asphaltenes in the oil, thereby decreasing the likelihood of scaling. 2. Optimize flow velocity: Increasing the flow velocity in both the shell side and the tube side can effectively prevent dirt from accumulating on the tube walls. 3. Regular cleaning: Periodically perform physical or chemical cleaning of the heat exchanger, such as using high-pressure water jets or chemical cleaners to remove deposits from the tube bundle. 4. Use scale inhibitors: Adding an appropriate amount of scale inhibitors can prevent the formation of scale or slow down its growth rate. 5. Material selection: Heat exchangers should be manufactured from corrosion-resistant materials that are less prone to scaling, such as titanium or copper-based alloys. 6. Adjust operating conditions: Optimize operating pressure and temperature to avoid operating in the area where scale forms. The selection and application of the above measures should be based on the specific operating conditions of the equipment and operational experience, with adjustments and optimizations made in light of actual circumstances. .