Deposition of paraffin wax from kerosene in cooled heat exchanger tubes

Abstract

Abstract Studies of the deposition of wax from wax/kerosene mixtures onto cooled simulated heat transfer tubes has demonstrated that, following an initial deposition taking a relatively short period of time, the heat transfer resistance fluctuates with time. Theoretical estimates of temperature distribution in the experimental flowing wax/kerosene system suggest that the cloud point temperature of the mixture falls within the laminar boundary layer. Since the cloud point is considered the temperature at which particles of wax appear, the conditions within the boundary layer will influence deposition. Increased flowrate and temperature decrease the number of particles able to deposit while the number is increased by greater wax concentration in the bulk solution.