Diagnosis of site-specific fouling problems in heat exchanger tubes

保持管道无污垢被认为是工厂设置中热交换器和锅炉可靠和高效运行的关键因素。然而，随着时间的推移，不需要的物质会自然沉积在管道的内表面，导致腐蚀和管道失效，增加能量损失和维护成本。因此，需要对特定场地的污染物质进行调查，以确定污染机制**，并提出缓解污染的最佳操作参数。**为此，Hyo-Jick Choi博士，阿尔伯塔大学（U of a）一个新的最先进的研究设施的首席研究员，和IRED热能有限公司，一家领先的测试和检验服务提供商**，总部设在阿尔伯塔省，已经走到一起调查特定场地的污染物质。这种协同合作提供了独特的技术实力和卓越的基础设施能力- Choi博士在材料科学，化学，生物技术和化学工程方面拥有超过20年的多学科专业知识；**IRED Thermal Ltd是研究工厂污染的先驱。因此，满足本提案的目标并实现创新解决方案的可能性很高。这项研究的结果将**补充IRED的诊断/清洁能力的核心组合，使IRED能够为工厂设施提供**诊断服务以及现有的检查服务。Choi和他的实验室将分析特定地点的污染管，以确定污染机制，并确定定量/定性污染模式。这项研究将由一名研究助理和一名本科生进行，使用阿尔伯塔大学和**国家纳米技术研究所（NINT）提供的世界级表征设备。IRED将提供现场样品收集和处理的实际操作培训。这项研究产生的附加能力将极大地促进加拿大工厂行业的卓越研究，为IRED及其客户提供经济效益，并开创一个先进的污垢缓解诊断的新领域。

Maintaining fouling-free tubes is considered a critical factor for reliable and efficient operation of heat**exchangers and boilers in plant settings. However, time-dependent natural deposition of unwanted substances**on the interior surface of tubes leads to the corrosion and tube failure, increasing energy loss and maintenance**costs. Therefore, investigation of site-specific fouling substance is required to identify the fouling mechanisms**and to propose optimal operational parameters for mitigation of fouling.**To this end, Dr. Hyo-Jick Choi, principal investigator of a new state-of-the-art research facility at the**University of Alberta (U of A), and IRED Thermal Ltd, a leading provider of testing and inspection services**based in Alberta, have come together to investigate site-specific fouling substances. This synergistic**collaboration offers unique technical strength and excellent infrastructure capability- Dr. Choi has over 20**years of multidisciplinary expertise in materials science, chemistry, biotechnology, and chemical engineering;**IRED Thermal Ltd is a pioneer in investigating fouling in a plant setting. As a result, the probability of meeting**the objectives of this proposal and realizing an innovative solution is high. Findings of this research will**supplement IRED's core portfolio with diagnostic/cleaning capabilities, enabling IRED to provide the**diagnostic service to a plant facility along with existing inspection service.**Dr. Choi and his lab will analyze the site-specific fouled tubes to determine the fouling mechanism and identify**quantitative/qualitative fouling patterns. This research will be carried out by a research associate and an**undergraduate student, using world-class characterization facilities available at the University of Alberta and**National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT). IRED will provide hands-on training for the collection and**handling of on-site samples. Added capabilities emanating from this research will substantially promote**research excellence in Canadian plant industries, providing economic benefits to the IRED and its customers,**and ushering in a new area of advanced fouling mitigation diagnostics.