Use of an Oscillating Electric Field to Mitigate Mineral Fouling in a Heat Exchanger

Abstract

This article presents an investigative study on the efficacy of a new physical water treatment technology using an oscillating electric field to mitigate mineral fouling in heat exchangers. Parallel graphite electrode plates immersed in water were used to generate the electric field directly in water. Artificial hard water at 500 ppm hardness was used in all fouling tests. The inlet temperatures were maintained at 23.5 ± 0.5°C and 85 ± 0.5°C for cold- and hot-water sides, respectively. The results at a cold-water side velocity of 0.3 m/s showed a 16–60% drop in fouling resistances from the baseline test, depending on the frequency of the electric field for the physical water treatment-treated cases.

Keywords:

• mitigation of fouling
• physical water treatment
• oscillating electric field
• fouling resistance