Heat Transfer Fouling

Definition

Degradation of heat-exchange performance when a particulate layer coats heat-transfer surfaces.

A thin particulate layer on condenser tubes can reduce heat transfer by 10 to 20 percent, raising chiller energy use. As a rule of thumb, a 3 degree F rise in condenser approach temperature costs roughly 4.5 percent in chiller efficiency, or about 1.5 percent per degree F of approach rise. Fouling is one of the compounding consequences that intensify local surface conditions.

Related concepts

Deposits · Amplifier Effect · Heat Flux

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