Effect of Geometry and Flow Conditions on Particulate Fouling in Plate Heat Exchangers

Abstract

This article describes particulate fouling experiments performed on small-scale and full-scale plate heat exchangers for three different corrugation angles (30 deg, 45 deg and 60 deg). The velocity effect has been studied as well as the particle type and concentration effects. The test duration ranges between 20 and 1,500 h in order to reach asymptotic behavior. The results clearly indicate that the corrugation angle has a major influence on the asymptotic fouling resistance. Increasing the corrugation angle leads to lower values for the fouling resistance. Furthermore, for a given corrugation angle, the asymptotic fouling resistance is inversely proportional to the velocity squared. Finally, the asymptotic fouling resistance is proportional to the particle concentration. Fouling mitigation can be obtained by taking into account at the design stage the heat exchanger geometry and fluid velocity.