Fouling Factors

Fouling is a function of the system and the equipment used. Parameters which influence the fouling rate in a system i type of fluid, the type of heat exchanger, the temperatures, the velocities and the materials of construction. The actua is different for each application.

There are numerous resources for fouling factor values. The best source is from existing operating facilities. When pr is available, it can be used to calculate the actual fouling factors for the system. Together with the maintenance and c history, this provides the best resource for selecting the fouling factors for a particular application.

However, when production data is not available, one must rely on other sources. Over the years, typical fouling factor compiled for various systems and fluids. The tables below show some of these typical fouling factors: Process Fluids

Oils Fuel Oil #2 Fuel Oil #6 Transformer Oil Engine Lube Oil Gases and Vapors Acid gas Ammonia vapor Chlorinated hydrocarbons vapors Chlorine Vapor CO2 vapor Compressed Air Hydrogen Hydrogen (saturated with water) Light Hydrocarbon vapors (clean) Natural Gas Natural Gas Flue Gas Nitrogen Polymerizable vapors (with inhibitor) Refrigerant Vapors (oil bearing) Solvent Vapor Stable Overhead Products Steam (non-oil bearing) Steam (exhaust, oil bearing) Liquids Ammonia Liquid Ammonia Liquid (oil bearing) CO2 Liquid Chlorinated hydrocarbons liquid Chlorine Liquid

DEG & TEG Solutions Ethylene Glycol Solutions Gasoline Heavy Fuel Oils Heavy Gas Oil Hydraulic Fluid Kerosene Light Gas Oil Light hydrocarbon liquid (clean) MEA & DEA Solutions Naphtha and Light Distillates Organic Heat Transfer Liquids Refrigerant Liquids

Water water temperature water velocity Boiler Blowdown Water Brackish Water Condensate Cooling Tower Water (treated) Cooling Tower Water (untreated) City or Well Water River Water (minimum) River Water (average) River Water (muddy or silty) Sea Water Treated Boiler Feed Water

Fouling Resistance (ft2-F-hr/BTU) 125F or less 3 ft/s or less over 3 ft/s 0.002 0.002 0.0005 0.001 0.003 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.003 0.0005 0.001 0.002 0.001 0.0005 0.001 0.003 0.001 0.001 0.002 0.002 0.0005 0.0005

Fouling Resistance (ft2-F-hr/BTU) over 125F 3 ft/s or less 0.002 0.003 0.0005 0.002 0.005 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.004 0.001 0.001

hich influence the fouling rate in a system include: the and the materials of construction. The actual fouling rate

s from existing operating facilities. When production data tem. Together with the maintenance and cleaning a particular application.

urces. Over the years, typical fouling factors have been hese typical fouling factors: Fouling Resistance (ft2-Fhr/BTU) 0.002 0.005 0.001 0.001

0.002 - 0.003 0.001 0.001 - 0.0015 0.002 0.001 0.001 0.0005 0.002 0.001 0.001 - 0.002 0.005 0.0005 0.003 - 0.03 0.002 0.001 0.001 0.0005 0.0015 - 0.002

0.001 0.003 0.001 0.001 - 0.002 0.002

0.002 0.002 0.002 0.005 - 0.007 0.003 - 0.005 0.001 0.002 - 0.003 0.002 - 0.003 0.001 0.002 0.002 - 0.003 0.002 0.001

Fouling Resistance (ft2-F-hr/BTU) over 125F over 3 ft/s 0.002 0.002 0.0005 0.002 0.004 0.002 0.002 0.003 0.003 0.001 0.001