INFLUENCE OF FLOW CONDITIONS ON DEPOSITS FROM HEATED HYDROCARBON FUELS

The thermal stability characteristics of two liquid hydrocarbon fuels are examined using a single-pass system whereby the fuel under test fl ows only once through a heated tube which is maintained at constant te mperature throughout a test duration of six hours. Deposition rates on the tube walls are measured by weighing the tube before and after eac h test. The experimental data are used to derive empirical equations f or predicting the effects on deposition rates of variation in fuel tem perature, wall temperature, and Reynolds number. It is found that depo sition rates are enhanced by increases in fuel temperature, wall tempe rature and flow velocity, and by reductions in tube diameter. Pressure has no effect on deposition rates provided it is high enough to preve nt fuel boiling.