BackgroundCalcium carbonate (CaCO3) is one of the main fouling elements of the crystallization fouling that causes critical problems in the operation of industrial heat exchangers. This study presents the retardation of CaCO3 Fouling, and heat transfer enhancement of a tube heat exchanger immersed in a CaCO3 rich solution containing clove treated graphene nano platelets (C-GNP) additives as suspension. MethodsThermo-physical properties of water-based C-GNP additives nanofluid were tested before running the experiment. Experimental investigation was conducted to assess the C-GNP additives performance in the enhancement of heat transfer and reduction of fouling deposition. For the retardation of fouling experiments, the hard water or super saturated fouling solution of 300 ± 20 mgL−1 was prepared. To maintain the hard water concentration until the end of the experiments, a complexometric titration was adopted to monitor the CaCO3 concentration at every 6 h. interval. The FESEM was utilized for the investigation of the morphology of CaCO3 deposition on the heat exchanger surface. Significant findingsThe results of this study demonstrate that the addition of C-GNP enhanced the heat transfer and reduced the foulant deposition without any effect of corrosion. The results also revealed the inverse relationship between the additive concentration and the fouling resistance. The outcomes of this study also support the achievement of United Nation sustainable development goal (SDG) target 7.3.