Numerical simulation is studied for
shell and tube heat exchangers
incorporating the usage of the local Ebert and Panchal threshold fouling
model on the overall fouling prediction. The overall fouling rate
obtained by averaging local fouling rates along the whole heat exchanger
was found to be consistent with the fouling rate calculated with overall
quantities, at least for the shell-and-tube heat exchanger tested,
under the operating conditions studied (299.5 °C film temperature,
4.4 Pa wall shear stress) and for the period of linear fouling. The
deposition rate, which is minimally affected by the spatial variations
of the thermohydraulic properties, controls the fouling rate. Heterogeneities
are caused by variations of the local wall shear stress which varies
in a large proportion (2.5 to 11.7 Pa) but whose influence on the
fouling rate is low. The wide range of local shear stress recorded
is the consequence of the flow establishment in the tubes.
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