The Foundation and Validation of Sigmoid-Typed Functions for Fouling Formation Modelling of Crude Oil Flows

Abstract

The phenomenological model of fouling formation is investigated in this research which, the parametrization method based on the species and energy equation is implemented. It is shown that the previous empirical sigmoid-typed correlation can also be generated from the species equation as a special solution. Meanwhile, the fouling heat resistance is obtained from the phenomenological energy equation. Correlating these two solutions, it is shown that the proposed model generates key parameters of fouling formation characteristics of crude preheat train within all operational conditions. Thus, it generalizes the previous models as it covers wider operational range.