The impact of fouling on performance evaluation of multi-zone feedwater heaters

A numerical method for analyzing closed system feedwater heaters is presented. A general approach to determine area allocations among the desuperheating, condensing and subcooling zones under a known set of operating conditions is presented for a feedwater heater in a steam power plant. A significant amount of heat duty is handled by the condensing zone, whereas the subcooling zone handles a least amount of heat duty which essentially vanishes at low steam pressures. Fluids mass flow rates and accordingly the overall heat transfer coefficients have significant effects on the areas needed for desuperheating, condensing and subcooling in a feedwater heater. Two fouling models are considered to examine their effect on the heat exchanger performance. Insignificant changes were noticed when comparing the heat transfer rate and outlet temperature results of both the models. It is found that heat duty of the heat exchanger decreases by 2.7% in 3 years when we use the recommended fouling resistance, while the outlet shell-side fluid temperature increased by 6.3%.