Petroleum Stability and Heteroatom Species Effects in Fouling of Heat Exchangers by Asphaltenes

Abstract

Petroleum stability effects on heat exchanger fouling were studied using mixtures of heavy oil containing asphaltenes, and carrier fluids consisting of a fuel oil cut with varying amounts of added aliphatic or aromatic fluid. Fouling was measured in a recirculation loop using an annular, electrically heated probe. The effects of carrier fluid composition, dissolved oxygen, and heteroatomic species additions were investigated. Insolubles formed in the mixtures, measured by hot filtration, and deposits on the probe had compositions similar to asphaltenes. Fouling rates were correlated with instability indices, and with the concentrations of suspended asphaltenes.