Local deposition characteristics of calcium carbonate fouling in different enhanced tubes

Abstract

With the development and advancements of modern industry, the application of enhanced tubes is becoming more and more extensive in various engineering domains and technological applications. When water is used as the working fluid for thermal energy utilization, there is a large chance of accumulating a large amount of fouling on the surface of the enhanced tubes. This paper establishes a mathematical model of the local fouling deposition of calcium carbonate in enhanced tubes. The model is used to simulate and compare the local fouling characteristics of CaCO3 in different tubes. In addition, a study is conducted on the effects of different inlet flow rates, water temperature, and calcium carbonate concentrations on the local fouling resistance of bellows tubes. The results showed that the local fouling resistance (average) and local fouling resistance of enhanced tubes is smaller than that of circular tubes. Additionally, the bellows tubes yielded the best scale inhibition effect. The obtained local fouling resistance is also found to change periodically along the length of the tube. The local fouling resistance decrease with an increase in the inlet flow rate and wall temperature, and increases with an increase in the calcium carbonate solution concentration.