CaCO3 local fouling characteristics on the rectangular channel with finned vortex generators

A local calculation method based on the crystallization fouling model, is proposed to simulate the fouling process. The CaCO3 fouling deposition process was studied using the numerical simulation method, aiming to observe fouling characteristics of the rectangular channel of the finned vortex generators. The CaCO3 fouling was studied by local fouling resistance on the rectangular channel under different fins parameters. The main influencing parameters were the number of rows, spacing, and height of the finned vortex generators. The results have shown that the finned vortex generator anti-fouling ability mainly depends on the number and strength of induced vortices produced by the fins. On the other hand, the increase in vortex strength will generally increase the wall shear force, thereby decreasing the fouling resistance. With the increase in the number of finned vortex generators, the number of produced vortices increased, while the rectangular channel fouling resistance decreased. Moreover, with the increase in the spacing ratio between the finned vortex generators, the vortex intensity influence range diminished, while the fouling resistance slightly increased. Additionally, as the finned vortex generator height ratio increased, the vortex-generated intensity range gradually increased and the fouling resistance decreased.