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Fouling Factor Equation:
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The fouling factor (F) represents the thermal resistance caused by the accumulation of unwanted material on heat transfer surfaces. It quantifies how much the heat transfer is reduced due to fouling compared to a clean surface.
The calculator uses the fouling factor equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates the additional thermal resistance caused by fouling by comparing the current heat transfer performance to the ideal clean condition.
Details: Fouling factors are crucial in heat exchanger design and operation. They help engineers account for performance degradation over time and determine appropriate cleaning schedules or design margins.
Tips: Enter both fouled and clean heat transfer coefficients in W/m²K. Both values must be positive numbers. The result will be in m²K/W.
Q1: What causes fouling in heat exchangers?
A: Fouling can be caused by scaling, corrosion, biological growth, particulate deposition, or chemical reactions on heat transfer surfaces.
Q2: What are typical fouling factor values?
A: Values vary widely (0.0001-0.001 m²K/W) depending on fluid type, temperature, velocity, and surface material. Consult engineering references for specific applications.
Q3: How often should fouling factors be recalculated?
A: Regular monitoring is recommended, especially when performance degradation is observed or after cleaning procedures.
Q4: Can negative fouling factors occur?
A: No, negative values would indicate improved performance, which isn't physically meaningful in this context. Check your input values if this occurs.
Q5: How does fouling factor affect heat exchanger design?
A: Engineers include fouling factors in design calculations to ensure the heat exchanger will meet requirements even after some fouling occurs.