Method and apparatus for estimating fouling factor and/or inverse soluble scale thickness in heat transfer equipment

摘要

Scale deposition on a heat transfer surface in a liquid system such as a heat exchanger is estimated by directing of small portion of the liquid flow through a test cell, consisting of a sensor positioned on and projecting through a conduit wall. The sensor consists of a conductive block containing a heater and having a heated wetted test surface that is flush with the inside of the conduit wall and in contact with the flow through the conduit. Within the conductive block are two temperature sensors which are at different distances from the heated wetted test surface and the heater. The periphery of the apparatus is designed to reduce heat flow through the periphery and allow greater heat flow through the heated wetted test surface. By comparing the temperature differential between the two temperature sensors to the differential when no scale is present, the presence of and amount of scale can be determined, based on reduced heat transfer through the heated wetted surface caused by the accumulated scale. The change in the temperature differential is directly proportional to the scale thickness for a given type of scale. When the thickness of the scale is determined by another means, the nature of the scale can be implied. The sensitivity of the measurement can be adjusted to accommodate a very wide range of bulk liquid or ambient temperature via adjustment of the heat flux through the provided secondary heat flux path.

主权项

1. A method of detecting fouling or scaling of a heated wetted test surface comprising heating a conductive block using a heater;
said conductive block having a first end comprising said heated wetted test surface, and a second end opposite said first end;contacting said heated wetted test surface with a first liquid;measuring the temperatures at first and second positions along said conductive block wherein said first position is closer to said heated wetted test surface than said second position to obtain first and second temperature measurements;comparing first and second temperature measurements at said first and second positions to establish a reference temperature difference with no fouling or scaling on said heated wetted test surface;determining fouling or scaling on said surface by subsequently measuring temperatures at said first and second positions and detecting changes in temperature differences between said temperatures at said first and second positions relative to said reference temperature difference.