In-line method and apparatus to prevent fouling of heat exchangers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the prevention of fouling of process streams by the application of electric charge on process components. The electric charge may be attractive or repulsive to the foulants. The electric charge may be constant or variable and may be applied to any section of the process stream where convenient and wherein preventive effects are optimized.

1 . A method for foulant prevention in a hydrocarbon stream, comprising: 
 flowing a hydrocarbon stream containing one or more charged particles having a first polarity;    applying an electric charge having a second polarity to a flow path of the hydrocarbon stream; and    adjusting the magnitude of the electric charge while continuing to flow the hydrocarbon stream.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first polarity is repulsive with relation to the second polarity.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first polarity is attractive with relation to the second polarity.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electric charge is applied to the flow path of the hydrocarbon stream for more than 5 minutes.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flow path of the hydrocarbon stream is at least partially confined within a heat exchanger.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the electric charge is applied to a chassis or shell of the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the electric charge is applied to one or more baffles within the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the electric charge is applied to a floating head of the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the electric charge is applied to one or more tubes or a tube bundle of the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flow path of the hydrocarbon stream is at least partially confined within one or more vessels, sections of pipe, distillation columns, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flow path of the hydrocarbon stream is at least partially confined within a slurry settler.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electric charge is applied to a conical section of the slurry settler.  
   
   
       13 . A method for improved hydrocarbon refining efficiency, comprising: 
 catalytically cracking a liquid hydrocarbon mixture to produce an output mixture enhanced in low molecular weight liquid hydrocarbons relative to said liquid hydrocarbon mixture;    distilling said output mixture into two or more liquid petroleum fractions;    recovering a liquid hydrocarbon stream from the liquid petroleum fractions, the liquid hydrocarbon stream containing one or more charged particles;    flowing the liquid hydrocarbon stream through at least one heat exchanger;    applying an electric charge to the at least one heat exchanger while continuing to flow the liquid hydrocarbon stream; and    adjusting the magnitude of the electric charge while continuing to flow the liquid hydrocarbon stream.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the electric charge is repulsive to the one or more charged particles of the liquid hydrocarbon stream.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the electric charge is attractive to the one or more charged particles of the liquid hydrocarbon stream.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the electric charge is applied to the at least one heat exchanger for more than 5 minutes.  
   
   
       17 . A method for preventing contaminant accumulation within a hydrocarbon processing component, comprising: 
 applying an electric charge to one or more process components in fluid communication with a liquid hydrocarbon stream, wherein the liquid hydrocarbon stream contains at least one charged contaminant;    flowing the liquid hydrocarbon stream through the one or more process components in communication with the electric charge; and then    adjusting a magnitude of the electric charge as the liquid hydrocarbon stream flows in fluid communication with the one or more process components in response to the polarity of the at least one charged contaminant.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the electric charge is applied to the one or more process components in fluid communication with the liquid hydrocarbon stream for more than 5 minutes.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more process components comprises a heat exchanger.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein adjusting the magnitude of the electric charge comprises: 
 determining charged particle levels in the liquid hydrocarbon stream by measuring turbidity, conductivity, or resistivity of the liquid hydrocarbon stream at a location upstream or downstream of the at least one heat exchanger having the electric charge applied thereto; and    adjusting the magnitude of the electric charge in response to changes of contamination levels in the liquid hydrocarbon stream.