Particulate fouling: controlling processes and deposit structure

Abstract

Fouling caused by a water-kaolin suspension in an annular heat exchanger was studied. Deposition seemed to be controlled by mass transfer for lower Reynolds numbers and by adhesion for higher Re. The data was satisfactorily described by the generalized model of Pinheiro. The relative cohesion of the deposits was measured using a rotating cylinder apparatus, which also helped in confirming the existence of a loose and a hard layer in the kaolin deposits.