Experimental observation of surface morphology effect on crystallization fouling in plate heat exchangers

In this study, stainless steel test plates with different surface roughness and textures, which are used as the heat transfer surface of a plate heat exchanger, are tested individually in calcium carbonate fouling experiments. The present experimental results clearly indicate a strong correlation between the surface roughness and the amount of crystallization fouling deposit. Through detailed image analysis, four stages of the formation of crystallization fouling are identified, and the impact of the surface morphology on the extent of crystallization fouling is described qualitatively.