Fouling surface finish evaluation

Fouling of a surface takes place as the result of a series of complex reactions that cause deposits to form on process surfaces. For many conditions, fouling can be reduced but not necessarily eliminated. The materials considered here are: carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminium with typical finishes. Sample plates were placed vertically in tanks and exposed to untreated lake water for various time periods. Results are presented that compare surface roughness over time, for the materials/surfaces considered. The progressive change in surface appearance with increasing immersion times is also presented. Stainless steel samples showed a relatively small change in surface appearance for most periods of immersion, with a small increase in surface deterioration for increasing immersion times. Brite aluminum, an aluminium alloy with an anodized surface film, performs similar to stainless steels. Cold rolled carbon steel has the largest variation of surface appearance over time. This review includes observations on fouling and process surface materials/finishes. Conclusions and observations regarding the materials that are commonly used in designs when fouling may be a concern are presented here. Photographs of material frontal surfaces and transient surface roughness are given for a variety of surfaces.