*Fouling in Heat Exchangers DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88079*


### **Table 2.**

*Inverse Heat Conduction and Heat Exchangers*

removal from the installation

in the biofouling growth process are [27]:

• Composition and roughness of the support

• Physicochemical properties of the fluid

• Temperature of the support and cooling water

biofouling on the heat exchange surface is unavoidable.

• Speed of the fluid

• Biological variables

other purposes (**Table 1**).

**Agent Methodology**

microorganisms

*Chemical agents used in the treatment of seawater [56].*

• Geometry of fluid passage

**5. Chemical antifouling treatments**

• Costs produced by the management of the macrofouling waste after its

systems, such as valve drives, grids, pumps, instrumentation, etc.

**4. Design aspects that minimize the adhesion of biofouling**

• Production of faults due to the accumulation of macroorganisms in auxiliary

The design of the heat exchanger can represent an important factor to minimize the presence of biofouling on its surfaces. The main design variables that intervene

Although it is very difficult to relate the colonization of the surface with only one of these variables, it can be affirmed that they all have their influence on the process of developing the biofilm on the surface in contact with seawater. In this

and use

way, it is recommended to maintain minimum flow rates above 0.9 ms<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>

smooth surfaces and high temperatures (>90°C). Otherwise, the presence of

The chemical compounds used as antifouling agents in heat exchangers are called biocides. In addition, sequestrants, dispersants, or chelators can be used for

The biocides contain one or more active substances, whose function is to destroy, counteract, neutralize, and impede the action or exert a control of another type on any harmful organism by chemical or biological means. Properly dosed reduce drastically the number and activity of cells and biofilms in water. Due to its toxic nature, inadequate doses can be harmful to the environment and are therefore

Sequester Form a chemical complex with the tank keeping it in suspension Dispersant It transmits load to the surface keeping the particles in suspension

Chelator It forms a strong chemical complex with the species that form the encrustation

Biocide Kills or incapacitates generating irreversible damage to the structure or vital functions of

**76**

**Table 1.**

*Specific operating conditions of different biocides [67].*

