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Fouling of tube surfaces: Modeling of removal kinetics
Author(s) -
Yiantsios S. G.,
Karabelas A. J.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.690401105
Subject(s) - fouling , breakage , microstructure , deposition (geology) , tube (container) , materials science , surface finish , mechanics , population , chemistry , composite material , geology , physics , paleontology , biochemistry , demography , membrane , sediment , sociology
Abstract Fouling of tube surfaces from flowing solutions or suspensions is examined. A new approach to the removal aspects of this process is presented linking removal to the morphological and mechanical characteristics of deposit microstructure. A simplified description of deposit microstructure is employed, involving a collection of geometrically similar roughness elements. A dynamic situation is envisioned whereby these elements grow due to deposition and suffer breakage under the action of hydrodynamic forces. A mathematical model for the macroscopic fouling behavior based on the techniques of population balances is obtained and numerically analyzed. The behavior found is in agreement with experimental evidence.