An experimental study of deposition of suspended magnetite in high temperature-high pressure boiler type environments
By Balaji Raman and Derek M. Hall and Stephen J. Shulder and Michael F. Caravaggio and Serguei N. Lvov
Published in Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
2016
Abstract
Fouling in boilers has been a problem for decades. In addition to iron oxide deposits on tube walls impeding heat transfer, some forced circulation boilers experience magnetite deposition in lower orifices. These deposits impede flow, cause inefficiencies and lead to boiler tube failures from overheating and corrosion. Particle deposition in some boiler/reactor type environments has been attributed to particle transport and the probability of particle attachment. The attachment is governed by both the inter-particle and particle-substrate interactions, which depend on the aqueous environment. In this study, a novel experimental system is presented, which focusses on the particle attachment aspect of the deposition issues observed in boiler type environments. To identify the effect of boiler water chemistry on the deposition of suspended magnetite on stainless steel, a high temperature high pressure electrophoretic deposition cell with provisions to test metal substrates and different chemistries was developed. Tests were conducted at pH25