Accounting for local features of fouling formation on PHE heat transfer surface

Abstract

The fouling phenomena can create significant operational problems in the industry by deteriorating heat recuperation, especially in heat exchangers with enhanced heat transfer. For a correct prediction of fouling development, the reliable fouling models must be used. The analysis of existing fouling models is presented. The chemical reaction and transport model developed earlier for a description of fouling on intensified heat transfer surfaces is used for modeling of plate heat exchanger (PHE) subjected to fouling. The mathematical model consists of a system of differential and algebraic equations. The integration of it is performed by finite difference method with developed software for personal computer. For countercurrent streams arrangement in PHE the solution of two-point boundary problem is realized on every time step. It enables to estimate local parameters of heat transfer process with fouling formation and its development in time with the growth of deposited fouling layer. Two examples of model application in cases of PHEs working at sugar factory and in district heating network are presented. The comparison with experimental data confirmed the model validity and the possibility of its application to determine the performance of PHE subjected to fouling.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

heat transfer / fouling / plate heat exchanger / mathematical model

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Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature