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Technique to Measure Surface‐Fouling Tendencies of Steepwater from Corn Wet Milling
Author(s) -
Agbisit R. M.,
Singh V.,
Valenti J. J.,
Kakleas M.,
Tumbleson M. E.,
Rausch K. D.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
cereal chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.558
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1943-3638
pISSN - 0009-0352
DOI - 10.1094/cchem.2003.80.1.84
Subject(s) - fouling , chemistry , microfiltration , wet milling , membrane fouling , evaporator , analytical chemistry (journal) , chromatography , membrane , heat exchanger , thermodynamics , biochemistry , physics , organic chemistry
Surface‐fouling tendencies of raw light steepwater (LSW) and membrane‐filtered light steepwater (FSW) from corn wet‐milling were studied using an annular fouling probe. The probe contained a heated surface to simulate the surface temperature of an evaporator. The heated region caused a fraction of solids in the steepwater to adhere to the surface, thus fouling the probe over time. FSW samples were prepared by filtering LSW using a microfiltration membrane with a nominal pore size of 0.1 μm. Fouling tendencies of both samples were established at an initial probe wall temperature of 99°C. Batches (30 L) were circulated through the fouling probe until the inner surface temperature of the probe reached 200°C. Temperature and power supplied to the probe were measured over time and used to calculate fouling resistance and rate of fouling. Measurement of maximum fouling resistance and fouling rate had a coefficient of variation (COV) of 5.1 and 7.4%, respectively. Maximum fouling resistances attained over a 12‐hr period were 0.36 and 0.049 m 2 °C/kW for LSW and FSW, respectively. Average rates of fouling were 4.53 × 10 ‐4 and 0.82 × 10 ‐4 m 2 °C/kW/min for LSW and FSW, respectively, showing an 80% decrease in fouling rate using microfiltration to remove 19% of solids.