Fouling - Components Subject To Fouling

Components Subject To Fouling

Following are examples of components that may be subject to fouling and the corresponding effects of fouling:

• Heat exchanger surfaces – reduces thermal efficiency, decreases heat flux, increases temperature on the hot side, decreases temperature on the cold side, induces under-deposit corrosion, increases use of cooling water;
• Piping, flow channels – reduces flow, increases pressure drop, increases upstream pressure, increases energy expenditure, may cause flow oscillations, slugging in two-phase flow, cavitation; may increase flow velocity elsewhere, may induce vibrations, may cause flow blockage;
• Ship hulls – creates additional drag, increases fuel usage, reduces maximum speed;
• Turbines – reduces efficiency, increases probability of failure;
• Solar panels – decreases the electrical power generated;
• Reverse osmosis membranes – increases pressure drop, increases energy expenditure, reduces flux, membrane failure (in severe cases);
• Electrical heating elements – increases temperature of the element, increases corrosion, reduces lifespan;
• Nuclear fuel in pressurized water reactors – axial offset anomaly, may need to de-rate the power plant;
• Injection/spray nozzles (e.g., a nozzle spraying a fuel into a furnace) – incorrect amount injected, malformed jet, component inefficiency, component failure;
• Venturi tubes, orifice plates – inaccurate or incorrect measurement of flow rate;
• Pitot tubes in airplanes – inaccurate or incorrect indication of airplane speed;
• Spark plug electrodes in cars – engine misfiring;
• Production zone of petroleum reservoirs and oil wells – decreased petroleum production with time; plugging; in some cases complete stoppage of flow in a matter of days;
• Teeth – promotes tooth or gum disease, decreases aesthetics;
• Living organisms – deposition of excess minerals (e.g., calcium, iron, copper) in tissues is (sometimes controversially) linked to aging/senescence.