Method for negating deposits using turbulence
A method for preventing fouling of an operating heat exchanger is disclosed. A carrier liquid is provided to the heat exchanger. The carrier liquid contains a potential fouling agent. The potential fouling agent is entrained in the carrier liquid, dissolved in the carrier liquid, or a combination thereof. The potential fouling agent fouls the heat exchanger by condensation, crystallization, solidification, desublimation, reaction, deposition, or combinations thereof. A gas-injection device is provided on the inlet of the heat exchanger. A non-reactive gas is injected into the carrier liquid through the gas-injection device. The non-reactive gas will not foul the heat exchanger surface and will not condense into the carrier liquid. The non-reactive gas creates a disturbance by increasing flow velocity and creating a shear discontinuity, thereby breaking up crystallization and nucleation sites on the surface of the heat exchanger. In this manner, fouling of the operating heat exchanger is prevented.
- Research Organization:
- Sustainable Energy Solutions, LLC, Orem, UT (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- FE0028697
- Assignee:
- Sustainable Energy Solutions, LLC (Orem, UT)
- Patent Number(s):
- 10,247,494
- Application Number:
- 15/430,168
- OSTI ID:
- 1568151
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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