Growth mechanisms of composite fouling: The impact of substrates on detachment processes

Løge, Isaac A.; Anabaraonye, Benaiah U.; Fosbøl, Philip Loldrup

doi:10.1016/j.cej.2022.137008

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Even though stickability is often mentioned, ,, little literature exists that addresses this term directly . We calculated the stickability of BaSO 4 , CaCO 3 , and CaSO 4 based on literature data ,,,− and 153 data points (Figure b). These data points cover a wide range of supersaturations, substrates, and flow conditions.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, chemical reactions can be accelerated by entering supercooled, supercompressed, or supersaturated states . Crystal deposition kinetics are sensitive to the solution composition; therefore, experimental results obtained at artificially high concentrations, relative to the system of interest, should be evaluated with caution. , Precipitation is governed by the contribution of both the formation of a new phase (nucleation processes) and the expansion of already existing crystals (growth processes).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To correctly evaluate the influence of supersaturation on fouling processes, it is crucial to connect the nucleation and growth regimes with crystal resilience and sticking probability. The sticking probability and the resulting attachment strength are two of the most important parameters that govern the overall fouling process. , The sticking probability is governed by material transport, surface morphology, , foulant type, , and fluid composition, while the attachment strength is governed by the structural resilience of crystals and affinity of the surface toward fouling . The concept of the sticking factor is prevalent in other disciplines. , …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Crystal Nucleation and Growth: Supersaturation and Crystal Resilience Determine Stickability

Løge

Anabaraonye

Bovet

et al. 2023

Crystal Growth & Design

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Crystallization fouling in heat exchangers, subsurface energy production, and membrane technology remains a challenge. The reactive crystallization process is governed by whether growth or nucleation dominates the precipitation process. However, there is little direct experimental evidence on the fundamentals of nucleation and growth on surfaces over a wide range of supersaturations. We investigated the crystallization fouling of BaSO4 at 10 different supersaturations (saturation ratios from 6.6 to 457.1). We show that deposition behavior changes from a growth-dominated regime to a nucleation-dominated regime as the supersaturation increases; these changes in the dominant regime affect the resilience of the surface deposits. At low supersaturations, crystals have a secondary order, which increases their surface resilience. At high supersaturations, where nucleation processes dominate, crystals aggregate on the surface with no discernible secondary structure. At a saturation ratio of 457, nucleation processes are accelerated, causing previously aggregated crystals to become isolated. Due to increased isolation, the crystal resilience decreases, and the crystals become more vulnerable to detaching from the surface. To characterize surface deposition, we introduced the sticking factor as a measure of the stickability. We present an analysis of the stickability of BaSO4, CaCO3, and CaSO4, based on published data, and observe mean sticking factors of 1.15%, 0.80%, and 0.11%, respectively.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Crystal Nucleation and Growth: Supersaturation and Crystal Resilience Determine Stickability

Løge

Anabaraonye

Bovet

et al. 2023

Crystal Growth & Design

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“…The setup is the same as used in our previous study. , Deposition cells were lathed on a CNC machine at an in-house workshop. The areas in contact with the brine solution had an inner diameter of 3 mm, a length of 3 cm, and an internal surface area of 2.83 cm 2 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decoupling Inhibitor Mechanisms in Surface and Bulk Processes: Studies of BaSO₄

Løge,

Dragani,

Anabaraonye

2023

Crystal Growth & Design

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Chemical inhibitors are used to prevent crystallization fouling, but they can be environmentally hazardous. While reducing inhibitor concentrations could minimize their environmental impact, they could, below a certain threshold, promote surface deposition. In this study, we investigated the effect of a commercial polymeric scale inhibitor on BaSO 4 formation on surfaces and in the bulk phase. Surface deposition studies were performed in a one-direction flow-through experimental setup. We investigated the deposition behavior of BaSO 4 at inhibitor concentrations ranging from 0 to 100 ppm, and BaSO 4 saturation ratios (SRs) ranging from 6.6 to 457.1. Crystal deposition was visualized using high-resolution X-ray micro-computed tomography and characterized through advanced image analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bulk phase studies were conducted at SRs spanning from 6.6 to 1000, and samples were analyzed through inductively coupled plasma analysis. We show that observations made in bulk phase studies do not directly apply to surface deposition. Our findings show that while high inhibitor concentrations can prevent surface deposition, intermediate concentrations could accelerate deposition. The enhanced deposition likely occurs because the inhibitor predominantly inhibits nucleation over crystal growth. We previously showed that BaSO 4 deposition at high SRs occurs primarily through nucleation. This results in the formation of fragile structures that are more susceptible to detachment processes. Therefore, as nucleation processes are inhibited, stable surface structures form, subsequently enhancing the net deposition rate. SEM revealed a change in the crystal habit of surface deposits and bulk precipitates as a function of SR and inhibitor concentration. Our findings can be used to optimize the usage of chemical inhibitors and understand how crystal resilience is essential for surface deposition processes.

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“…Therefore, these tests offer a macroscopic perspective and do not provide detailed insights into the microscale physics of foulant removal. In cases where researchers studied fouling deposit removal in a flow chamber, they only imaged at low magnification (macroscale) or only provided a few measurements which are insufficient for statistical interpretation ( 29 , 32 , 43 ). Hence, the existing methods are not able to investigate the mechanisms of passive crystallite removal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Imparting scalephobicity with rational microtexturing of soft materials

Schmid,

Armstrong,

Dickhardt

et al. 2023

Sci. Adv.

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Crystallization fouling, a process where scale forms on surfaces, is widespread in nature and technology, negatively affecting energy and water industries. Despite the effort, rationally designed surfaces that are intrinsically resistant to it remain elusive, due in part to a lack of understanding of how microfoulants deposit and adhere in dynamic aqueous environments. Here, we show that rational tuning of coating compliance and wettability works synergistically with microtexture to enhance microfoulant repellency, characterized by low adhesion and high removal efficiency of numerous individual microparticles and tenacious crystallites in a flowing water environment. We study the microfoulant interfacial dynamics in situ using a micro-scanning fluid dynamic gauge system, elucidate the removal mechanisms, and rationalize the behavior with a shear adhesive moment model. We then demonstrate a rationally developed coating that can remove 98% of deposits under shear flow conditions, 66% better than rigid substrates.

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Growth mechanisms of composite fouling: The impact of substrates on detachment processes

Cited by 9 publications

References 44 publications

Crystal Nucleation and Growth: Supersaturation and Crystal Resilience Determine Stickability

Crystal Nucleation and Growth: Supersaturation and Crystal Resilience Determine Stickability

Decoupling Inhibitor Mechanisms in Surface and Bulk Processes: Studies of BaSO₄

Imparting scalephobicity with rational microtexturing of soft materials

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Growth mechanisms of composite fouling: The impact of substrates on detachment processes

Cited by 9 publications

References 44 publications

Crystal Nucleation and Growth: Supersaturation and Crystal Resilience Determine Stickability

Crystal Nucleation and Growth: Supersaturation and Crystal Resilience Determine Stickability

Decoupling Inhibitor Mechanisms in Surface and Bulk Processes: Studies of BaSO4

Imparting scalephobicity with rational microtexturing of soft materials

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Decoupling Inhibitor Mechanisms in Surface and Bulk Processes: Studies of BaSO₄