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Heat Exchanger Optimisation
Figure 3 . Cruise ship aft engine cooler 26 months after installation
transfer on engine systems . Numerous studies have concluded the direct results of fouling on carbon emissions . In one such study , Casanueva-Robles and Bott [ 1 ] determined that “ the presence of unwanted deposits on heat transfer surfaces in power station steam condensers can increase the discharge of ‘ greenhouse ’ gases . The extent of the increase is of course dependent upon the thickness of the deposit .” The authors continue : “ The loss of heat recovery and the additional energy for pumping represent a loss of thermal efficiency . When fuel combustion supplies energy , additional greenhouse gas emission will result .” The use of vapor infusion maintains optimum heat exchanger functionality and cooling water flow by operating the heat exchanger at
Figure 4 . Cruise ship forward engine cooler 26 months after installation
close to design conditions . As a result , the energy requirement of the cooling water pump is both continuous and lower .
Recent study During the 2022 Horizons Symposium on Heat Transfer in Environmental Technologies , McElrath presented a study [ 2 ] that tested the effectiveness of the I 2 vapor infusion technology compared with traditional chlorine treatment in a cooling water flow loop . He concluded that I 2 vapor infusion is a promising alternative to chlorine treatment for mitigating biofouling in condenser tubes . This technology also demonstrated the potential to mitigate buildup of sediment in condenser tubes .
Figure 5 . CO 2 emission as a function of biofilm fouling thickness
36 Heat Exchanger World October 2022 www . heat-exchanger-world . com