Abstract: A use of a foulant collector in a vessel or conduit in a paraffinic froth treatment (PFT) process. The foulant comprises asphaltenes. The foulant collectors are purposed to reduce build-up in the vessel or conduit and/or to reduce downstream foulant carry-over in the process. The surface of the foulant collectors may have an average water contact angle of less than 90 degrees. Additionally, together with such foulant collectors, a fluorocarbon polymer may be used as a surface of a vessel or conduit in the PFT process, for reducing fouling.

Abstract: A use of a foulant collector in a vessel or conduit in a paraffinic froth treatment (PFT) process. The foulant comprises asphaltenes. The foulant collectors are purposed to reduce build-up in the vessel or conduit and/or to reduce downstream foulant carry-over in the process. The surface of the foulant collectors may have an average water contact angle of less than 90 degrees. Additionally, together with such foulant collectors, a fluorocarbon polymer may be used as a surface of a vessel or conduit in the PFT process, for reducing fouling.

Abstract: A use of a fluorocarbon polymer as a surface of a vessel or conduit in a paraffinic froth treatment (PFT) process, for reducing fouling. The foulant comprises asphaltenes. The surface has an average water contact angle of greater than 90 degrees, a standard deviation of water contact angles divided by the average water contact angle of less than 0.1, and impurities of less than 1000 ppmw. The fluorocarbon polymer may be a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based polymer. The surface may be substantially free of colorants, fillers, and plasticizers.

Abstract: A method for reducing the formation of deposits on the inner walls of a tubular heat exchanger through which a petroleum-based liquid is flowing comprises applying one of fluid pressure pulsations to the liquid flowing through the tubes of the exchanger and vibration to the heat exchanger to effect a reduction of the viscous boundary layer adjacent the inner walls of the tubular heat exchange surfaces. Reduction of the viscous boundary layer at the tube walls not only reduces the incidence of fouling with its consequential beneficial effect on equipment life but it also has the desirable effect of promoting heat transfer from the tube wall to the liquid in the tubes. Fouling and corrosion are further reduced by the use of a coating on the inner wall surfaces of the exchanger tubes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing fouling associated with a process stream in a heat transfer component. The method and apparatus include the use of one of a vibration producing device to impart a vibrational force to desired component and a pulsation producing device for apply pressure pulsations to the process stream. The heat transfer component has at least one surface having a surface roughness of less than 40 micro inches (1.1 ?m).

Abstract: This invention relates to metal surfaces and a method for reducing fouling of metal surfaces. More particularly, metal surfaces such as piping and heat exchangers that transport or contain corrosive and contaminated materials can be protected by formation of organometallic coatings which are in the range of monolayers in thickness.

Abstract: The corrosion rate of a metal immersed in a fluid medium is measured by transmission of a beam of radiation normally in the visible or near infra-red portion of the spectrum, through a thin film of the metal immersed in the medium. The film of the metal is suitably supported on a radiation-transmitting substrate such as a glass plate or slide. The corrosion rate can be determined by passing a radiation beam through the metal film sample using a twin beam system to compensate for instrument factors such as the absorbance by the fluid medium, the cell windows and the film-supporting substrate. As the thickness of the film decreases, the reduction in film thickness is determined by the increase in beam intensity, using a reference beam to compensate for the instrument factors.

Abstract: The density of hydroxyl groups present on the surface of glass, such as E-glass fibers, is increased by subjecting the surface to a radio frequency induced gas plasma containing water vapor. Surfaces so treated exhibit enhanced adsorption of hydrolyzed organo silane coupling agents applied to improve adhesion between glass fibers and resin matrices in the manufacture of reinforced composites.