Conference Dates

May 18-22, 2003

First Page

241

Abstract

One of the aromatic compound plants in Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation has a heavy crystallization fouling problem. In order to solve this problem, using a low power gamma ray sensor, we found the location of heaviest fouling and measured the fouling growth rate. We also made a crystallization fouling laboratory test unit (simulator) to study the effects of some factors, such as temperature, liquid velocity, surface roughness and liquid composition. Fouling rates of the industrial plant cooler and the laboratory fouling test unit were modeled using a combination of Kern-Seaton and Reitzer models. However, the parameters of the plant and test unit did not agree with each other, perhaps because of scale up problems. We also measured the melting process (removal) of the fouling with the test unit. The heat flux necessary to melt the foulant was measured and used for the actual plant melting system. In the industrial plant, a steam trace melting system was installed at the position of heaviest fouling, and the plant now runs better than before.

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