FOULING OF HEATED STAINLESS STEEL TUBES BY A FLOWING SUSPENSION OF FERRIC OXIDE IN WATER

Abstract
Tests were conducted on the thermal fouling of 8.71 mm i.d. type 304 stainless tubes by flowing suspensions of ferric oxide in water over concentrations of 0-3750 ppm, Reynolds nabers of 10,100-37,600 and heat fluxes of 0-292 kW/m2. Deposits were subjected to microscopic examination and electron microprobe analysis. The results were explained by invoking electrochemical crevice corrosion as the mechanism governing the fouling.