Fouling in a Steam Cracker Convection Section Part 1: A Hybrid CFD-1D Model to Obtain Accurate Tube Wall Temperature Profiles

• Published in: Heat transfer engineering Vol. 41; no. 2; pp. 127 - 137
• Main Authors: Verhees, Pieter, Akhras, Abdul Rahman, Van Geem, Kevin M., Heynderickx, Geraldine J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 19.01.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Computational fluid dynamics; Computer simulation; Flue gas; Fouling; Mathematical models; Model accuracy; One dimensional models; Simulation; Temperature; Temperature profiles; Tubes; Wall temperature
• ISSN: 0145-7632; 1521-0537
• DOI: 10.1080/01457632.2018.1522081

To study fouling in steam cracker convection section tubes, accurate tube wall temperature profiles are needed. In this work, tube wall temperature profiles are calculated using a hybrid model, combining a one-dimensional (1D) process gas side model and a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) flue gas side model. The CFD flue gas side model assures the flue gas side accuracy, accounting for local temperatures, while the 1D process gas side model limits the computational cost. Flow separation in the flue gas side at the upper circumference of each tube suggests the need for a compartmentalized 1D approach. A considerable effect is observed. The hybrid CFD-1D model provides accurate tube wall temperature profiles in a reasonable simulation time, a first step towards simulation-based design of more efficient steam cracker convection sections.