Heat transfer monitor for measurements of fouling of industrial heat exchangers

A Heat Transfer Monitor (HTM) is a sensitive device that quantifies development of fouling on heat exchanger surfaces in terms of degradation in the heat transfer coefficient as fouling progresses. The Argonne HTM was originally developed by Carnegie-Mellon University for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) applications and later modified by Argonne National Laboratory. The HTM has been used for the OTEC biofouling and corrosion studies at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii for the last four years. The major findings from the experimental investigation are: (1) periodic low level of 50 to 70 ppB of chlorination can remove and prevent biofouling; (2) biofouling for deep cold water is negligible; and (3) biofouling control methods for moderately enhanced surfaces are comparable to those for smooth surfaces.