Implementing Nanoparticle Containing Fluids in Petroleum Refineries

Small refineries are in constant need of technologies to enhance their energy efficiency and reduce operating costs. These refineries make extensive use of water-based cooling towers downstream from the cracking/refining/reactor processes, in order to reduce temperatures prior to finished product storage. A typical refinery has been estimated to produce total waste heat of 127,000 Btu per barrel, 21% of total energy consumption. Enhancing heat exchanger performance not only could improve process efficiencies but also could eliminate the need for new capital equipment. This project will demonstrate the utility of a nanoparticle-containing fluid for use in the heat exchangers of a refinery. Phase I is aimed at producing stable nanoparticle-containing fluids and demonstrating their utility in the present application. Phase II will implement the technology in the field and demonstrate the energy and cost savings. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Liquid-based shell and tube heat exchangers are used extensively in crude refining operation for a number of different purposes, many of which are related to condensing vapors. The new nanoparticle-containing fluids should lead to improved heat transfer properties of currently used heat exchangers in refineries. The technology also has implications for heat exchangers in automotive and computer data center applications.