TRACK: Emerging Technology
Preventing or minimizing fouling within a heat exchanger is paramount to achieving its expected performance functionality. Fouling occurs when tube or plate surfaces are covered by organic or inorganic deposits from the source cooling water. As this chronic condition develops, there are resultant inefficiencies and damage that occur such as diminished heat transfer, pressure drops, MIC and system shut down. These are costly, laborious and energy consumptive for the facility that impact a company Net Zero goals.
Many facilities will use tear down and biocides as an acute response to fouling. These methods are used in an emergency or as a preventative treatment. Although they can return a heat exchanger to desired functionality, once fouling has begun, there is an immediate, sustained, and progressive loss in performance.
Vapor infusion has been proven to be effective for both remediating and maintaining a potentially fouling exchanger. The technology uses application specific vapor treatments, presented through a timed bubble emulsion within the cooling water stream, to provide foul prevention while minimizing environmental impact. The presentation will provide an understanding of vapor infusion technology, current research on the benefits of nano bubbles and a discussion of current commercial applications.