Optimization of Flow Rate Distribution in a Crude Oil Preheat Train Considering Fouling Deposition in Shell and Tube Sides

The deposition of an undesired material on the heattransfer surfaces is a recurrent problem that affects the overallperformance of heat exchanger networks (HENs). A wide varietyof empirical and semiempirical models are available for predictingthe fouling behavior. In this work, there are considered differentpredominant fouling mechanisms at each side of the shell and tubeheat exchangers used to preheat crude oil from a refinery. Adoptingthe massflow rates at the parallel branches of the HEN asoptimization variables, an optimization model is proposed tofindthe minimum total annual cost for 12 months of uninterruptedoperation. The model was coded in MATLAB and solved using asimulated annealing algorithm. The results showed that foulingaccumulation in both heat exchanger sides significantly impacted the heat recovery and increased operating costs. The proposedmethodology was able to decrease the total annual cost in $4.6516x104when compared to the base case

Automated summary

This article investigates the impact of different fouling mechanisms on heat transfer and operating costs in heat exchanger networks, and proposes a model to optimize the mass flow rates in the network to minimize the total annual cost.