Author : Vinous M. Hameed, Fadya F. Mohammed and Basim O. Hasan

Crystallization fouling experiments were performed for double pipe heat exchanger under counter flow condition in which sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) at saturation condition and constant bulk temperature of (40°C) were made to flow in the shell at different Reynolds number (Reh = 5000 – 12000), cold water flowing in the pipe at constant temperature of (12°C) at different Reynolds numbers (Rec = 11000 – 37000).The overall heat transfer coefficient and fouling resistance were determined from the measurement of the inlet and outlet temperature of the system at the given different velocities. Glass beads (3mm∅) at two different concentrations (1.25 – 0.625 g/l) were introduced to the salt solution to minimize the effect of fouling. The experimental results showed that the circulation of glass beads in the heat exchanger annulus results in higher heat transfer rates than the case where no fouling is present. The enhancing effect of glass beads on heat transfer is more pronounced at lower velocities and lower concentration. Fouling curves for glass beads circulation at both concentrations show a drop in the values of fouling resistance due to the continuous removal of the crystalline layer by the glass beads.

Keywords: Crystallization fouling, Heat Exchanger, Heat transfer coefficient, Fouling Resistance, Glass bead.

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.6, No.4 (Aug-2016)