Two Types Of Macro Fouling

702 Words2 Pages

There are two types of fouling
(a) Macro fouling
(b) Micro fouling Figure 1.2: Heat exchanger in steam power plant fouled by macro fouling.

MACRO FOULING: Macro fouling is originated by the coarse matter of either biological or inorganic origin, for example industrially fabricated refuse particles. Such matter entering into the cooling water circuit through cooling water pumps from sources like the open sea, rivers or lakes. In closed circuits, cooling towers, the involvement of macro fouling into the cooling tower basin is only possible way through open canals or by the wind. Sometimes, parts of the cooling tower internals disengaged themselves and are carried into cooling water circuit. Such substances then foul the surfaces of heat exchangers and may cause degradation of their heat transfer coefficient. They may also generate flow blockages, redistribute the flow inside the components, or cause fretting damage.
Examples: manmade refuse, detached internal parts of component. Etc.

MICRO FOULING: There are several types of micro fouling, these are classified below
1. Scaling or precipitation fouling
2. Particulate fouling
3. Corrosion fouling
4. Chemical reaction fouling
5. …show more content…

In such cases, the metallic surface occasionally acts as a catalyst. For example, corrosion and polymerization occurs in cooling water for chemical industry which has slight content of the hydrocarbons. Systems in petroleum processing are susceptible to the polymerization of olefins or accumulation of heavy fractions. High tube wall temperatures may steer to the carbonizing of organic matter. Food industry, for example milk processing, also experiences fouling issues by these chemical reactions. Fouling through an ionic reaction with an progression of an inorganic solid is commonly classified as precipitation fouling (not chemical reaction

Open Document