Diagnosis of site-specific fouling problems in heat exchanger tubes

保持管道不结垢被认为是热交换器和锅炉在工厂环境中可靠和有效运行的关键因素。然而，不需要的物质 ** 在管道内表面上的时间依赖性自然沉积导致腐蚀和管道故障，增加能量损失和维护 ** 成本。因此，需要对特定地点的结垢物质进行调查，以确定结垢机制 **，并提出减轻结垢的最佳操作参数。为此，阿尔伯塔大学（U of A）** 最先进的研究设施的首席研究员Hyo-Jick Choi博士和位于阿尔伯塔的领先的测试和检查服务提供商IRED Thermal Ltd ** 一起调查了特定地点的污垢物质。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是研究工厂环境中污垢的先驱。因此，达到 ** 本提案目标和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的核心产品组合与诊断/清洁能力，使IRED能够提供 ** 诊断服务，以工厂设施沿着现有的检查服务。** Choi博士和他的实验室将分析现场特定的结垢管道，以确定结垢机制并确定 ** 定量/定性结垢模式。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）提供的世界一流的表征设施。IRED将提供现场样本收集和处理的实践培训。这项研究产生的额外能力将大大促进 ** 加拿大植物行业的卓越研究，为IRED及其客户提供经济效益，** 并开创先进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.