Premium
Fouling Detection in an Optically Accessible Microstructured Heat Exchanger
Author(s) -
Spiegel Christoph,
Kraut Manfred,
Rabsch Georg,
Küsters Christof,
Augustin Wolfgang,
Scholl Stephan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.201900161
Subject(s) - fouling , heat exchanger , materials science , pressure drop , thermal , biofouling , thermal resistance , chemical engineering , chemistry , membrane , mechanical engineering , engineering , mechanics , thermodynamics , biochemistry , physics
The application of highly effective microstructured devices in continuous production and industrial environments is frequently prone to fouling. A new method is presented to characterize fouling in these microstructures. Thermal fouling of aqueous solutions containing whey protein were used as a test system. Different fouling effects could be observed and distinguished. Integral fouling indicators, such as thermal fouling resistance and pressure drop, as conventional criteria for the occurrence of fouling were compared with direct local optical observation. Low thermal fouling resistances could be detected.