Calcium carbonate crystallization process analysis on a heat transfer surface

Abstract

This paper explores the growth process of calcium carbonate crystallization fouling on a heat surface using finite element methods to solve physical equations such as momentum, energy, and concentration diffusion, incorporating the impact of bulk crystallization on the concentration of scaling ions. The simulation uses deformation geometry, moving grids, and automatic re-meshing methods to study the dynamic growth of fouling layers and the spatiotemporal changes in fluid velocity, temperature, and concentration field-related parameters caused by it. Results indicate that the deposition interface temperature increases along the flow direction under constant heat flux conditions, leading to an increase in deposition rate. When the interface temperature exceeds 340 K, the fouling deposition rate becomes highly sensitive to temperature changes. The fouling thickness also increases along the flow direction, causing the heat transfer surface near the outlet to face a more severe heat transfer deterioration caused by scaling. Under constant temperature conditions, the deposition rate increases rapidly near the inlet and varies less along the flow direction. When the wall temperature remains constant, scaling is more likely to occur at the fluid inlet as the fluid temperature increases. This model also examines the effects of changes in the porosity of the fouling layer and ion interactions in composite salt solutions on the growth characteristics of the fouling layer.