Use of electronic anti-fouling technology with filtration to prevent fouling in a heat exchanger

Abstract

An innovative technology to control fouling in heat exchangers was developed, based on a combined use of electronic anti-fouling (EAF) technology and filtration. To validate the concept, the present study conducted a series of accelerated fouling tests with an artificial hard water of a hardness of 1000 mg l-1. The pressure drop across a heat transfer test tube and the overall heat transfer coefficient were measured as a function of time. The pressure drop obtained with the combined use of the EAF treatment and filter showed almost no change from the initial value. Furthermore, the overall heat transfer coefficient obtained with the combined use of the EAF treatment and filter decreased by 6% from the initial value, whereas the U value dropped by 29% without any treatment.