Addressing the problem of serious fouling on the blades of FCCU (fluid catalytic cracking unit) power recovery expanders in refinery

micro-morphologies of fouling and catalyst particle at inlet of power recovery expander were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The fouling on the blades consisted of catalyst particle with diameter mainly between 1 μm and 2 μm. Then the adhesion mechanism of the catalyst particle and the effect of various adhesive forces on the adhesion phenomenon were studied. The smaller the diameter of the particle

the easier the particle was adhered

which agreed with the result of SEM. The inner distribution of the velocity field simulated by CFD demonstrated the effect of adhesive force on the fouling.