performance evaluation of technos cleaning balls in rdc msf pilot

all cleaning system. The high fluctuation in fouling factor is due to instability of
operating parameters particularly flash range.
Performance ratio (PR) and gain output ratio (GOR) were calculated and they were
found steady. Figure 9 shows the trends of PR and GOR during the test period. GOR
varied from 7.6 to 8.2, which revealed that the plant performance was almost uniform
and thus Technos balls were effective in maintaining the heat transfer surfaces free
from any additional scale deposition.
4.3.3 Chemical Analysis
Chemical analyses of various brine streams in distiller # 16 were carried out daily for
pH, M-alkalinity and chloride and found within acceptable limits. Cu content in brine
blowdown stream during test period was also analyzed and found within the range of
Cu content during normal operation. Figure 10 shows loss of total alkalinity and
concentration ratio in streams of brine recycle.
5. CONCLUSIONS
Based on the above, the following conclusions are drawn:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
No significant mechanical damage, shrinkage, abnormal deformation or loss of
texture was found in Technos balls during tests at pilot, Jeddah III and Al-Jubail
II plants.
Decrease in balls size or loss of their roundness during these tests was found
within acceptable limit, typically experienced in normal operation.
The consumption of the balls with time or the rate of balls replacement due to ball
undersize or deformation was found low and within acceptable limit.
Technos ball cleaning was found effective in controlling scale deposition in tubes
during tests conducted in MSF pilot plant of RDC and SWCC MSF distillers of
Al-Jubail II and Jeddah III plants.
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