96-09: Optical Monitor for Improved Fouling Control in Cooling Systems

Control of soft deposits in cooling systems is an important objective of water treatment programs. Traditional ways of monitoring include measuring suspended solids, counting planktonic microorganisms, and surface fouling methods involving coupons, pressure drop, and heat transfer resistance. In this paper we describe a simple, on-line, optical technique of continuous monitoring of surface fouling. This automated instrument records fouling data and has the advantages of alarm and product feed control capability; with a serial computer interface. Results from extensive field trials have demonstrated excellent correlations with standard monitoring methods and treatment levels.