# US 7,410,611 B2 · In-line method and apparatus to prevent fouling of heat exchangers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,410,611 B2 - Document ID: US7410611B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 09/773,438 - Filed: 2001-01-31 - Published: 2002-08-01 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 2001-01-31 - Assignees: Dennis L. Salbilla - Inventors: Dennis L. Salbilla - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7410611B2 ## CPC - B01D 3/322: {Reboiler specifications} - A61L 2/02: using physical processes - A61L 2/03: Electric current - B01D 1/0017: {Use of electrical or wave energy (B01D1/0029 takes precedence)} - B01D 1/04: Evaporators with horizontal tubes - B01D 5/0009: {Horizontal tubes} - C02F 1/042: {Prevention of deposits} - F28F 19/004: {by using protective electric currents, voltages, cathodes, anodes, electric short-circuits} - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16) ## Abstract The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the prevention of fouling of process streams by the application of electric charge on process components. The electric charge may be attractive or repulsive to the foulants, they may be constant or variable and may be applied to any section of the process stream where convenient and wherein their preventive effects are optimized. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for the reduction of fouling of process components within a liquid hydrocarbon stream comprising the steps of: applying an electric charge to an object within a flow path of said liquid hydrocarbon stream for more than 5 minutes, wherein said liquid hydrocarbon stream contains at least one contaminant; flowing said liquid hydrocarbon stream past said electric charge; and then adjusting the magnitude of said electric charge while continuing said flowing step. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said object is a heat exchanger. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of applying the electric charge comprises applying an electric charge to the chassis or shell of said heat exchanger. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a level of contaminants in the liquid hydrocarbon stream. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein said step of determining a level of contaminants utilizes measurement of the turbidity of the fluid stream or an analytical measurement indicative of contaminant concentration of the liquid hydrocarbon stream. ### Claim 6 A method for improved hydrocarbon refining efficiency comprising the steps of: catalytically cracking a liquid hydrocarbon mixture to produce an output mixture enhanced in low molecular weight liquid hydrocarbons relative to said hydrocarbon mixture; separating by distillation said output mixture into petroleum fractions; drawing a liquid hydrocarbon stream from said petroleum fractions; flowing said liquid hydrocarbon stream through a heat exchanger; repeating said step of separating or said steps of catalytically cracking and separating on said liquid hydrocarbon stream; applying an electric charge to an object within a flow path of said liquid hydrocarbon stream for more than 5 minutes; flowing said liquid hydrocarbon stream past said electric charge; and adjusting the magnitude of said electric charge while continuing said flowing step. ### Claim 7 A method for the prevention of process component fouling within a liquid hydrocarbon stream, comprising the steps of: initiating an electric charge to one or more process components for contacting a liquid hydrocarbon stream, wherein said liquid hydrocarbon stream contains at least one contaminant; initiating a flow of the liquid hydrocarbon stream past the electric charge and the one or more process components; applying the electric charge to the flowing liquid hydrocarbon stream for more than 5 minutes; and then adjusting the electric charge as the liquid hydrocarbon stream flows in fluid communication with the one or more process components. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the one or more process components comprises a heat exchanger. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the electric charge is applied to a chassis or shell of said heat exchanger. ### Claim 10 A method for processing a liquid hydrocarbon process stream, comprising: initiating a process run of a liquid hydrocarbon process stream through one or more process components adapted to exchange heat with the liquid hydrocarbon process stream; initiating an electric charge to at least one of the one or more process components; flowing the liquid hydrocarbon process stream in fluid communication with the at least one of the one or more process components having the electric charge applied thereto; continually applying the electric charge to the at least one of the one or more process components during the process run while the liquid hydrocarbon process stream is in fluid communication therewith; and adjusting the electric charge to the at least one of the one or more process components during the process run. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the one or more process components comprises a heat exchanger. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the electric charge is applied to a chassis of said heat exchanger. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the electric charge is applied to a shell of said heat exchanger. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein adjusting the electric charge to the at least one of the one or more process components during the process run comprises adjusting the electric charge to the shell of the heat exchanger.