Infrared Spectroscopic Analysis of the Inorganic Deposits from Water in Domestic and Technical Heat Exchangers

Johannes Kiefer, Alexander Stärk, Agnita Lynda Kiefer and Heike Glade
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Johannes Kiefer: Technische Thermodynamik, Universität Bremen, Badgasteiner Str. 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Alexander Stärk: Technische Thermodynamik, Universität Bremen, Badgasteiner Str. 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Agnita Lynda Kiefer: Technische Thermodynamik, Universität Bremen, Badgasteiner Str. 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Heike Glade: Technische Thermodynamik, Universität Bremen, Badgasteiner Str. 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 4, 1-8

Abstract: The deposition of insoluble inorganic substances on heat exchanger surfaces has a strong negative influence on the heat transfer and thus on the performance of the apparatus and the process. The analysis of the deposits is a crucial step towards the development of suitable technologies for scaling mitigation and prevention. Such analysis, however, is challenging and often requires advanced instrumentation and sample preparation. To overcome this problem, we present a straightforward analytical approach based on Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. We demonstrate that FTIR spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the chemical analysis of inorganic deposits. For example, it can identify the common anions in scales such as sulfates and carbonates. It can even distinguish between salts with the same anion but different cations such as calcium and sodium. Test measurements are performed on the deposits from a domestic water cooker and from the evaporator of a seawater desalination pilot plant.

Keywords: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy; chemical analysis; scale; debris; heat exchanger; boiler; carbonate; sulfate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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