Enhanced heat transfer performance of vibrating reciprocating helix and micro-morphological analysis of crystallization scale

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20241005

Abstract

Abstract:

The reciprocating spiral inserted in the tube has good heat transfer enhancement and scale inhibition performance. The effects of three spiral pitches on the total heat transfer coefficient, scale thermal resistance and scale layer thickness were studied through an experimental system. Combined with the microscopic characterization of crystallized scale under complex flow field conditions, the reasons for the scale inhibition and removal of the inserted reciprocating spiral were deeply analyzed. The results show that: within the experimental conditions, with the increase of the solution flow rate in the tube, when the reciprocating displacement is one pitch, the total heat transfer coefficient stability value is only 3% lower than that of the non-fouling, the maximum reduction of the stability value of the fouling thermal resistance of the tube is 84%, and the average thickness of the fouling is less than 0.1 mm, and the fouling microscopic appearance appears as hexagonal crystals and small dense crystals, and the fouling layer can't completely cover the heat transfer surface. At this time, the reciprocating spiral has continuous on-line scale inhibition performance, and the shear force of the spiral on the dirt layer is greater than the maximum shear force it can withstand, which is the fundamental reason for the better scale inhibition performance.

Key words: helical pitch, fouling, heat transfer, microstructure, scale inhibition properties

摘要：

管内插往复螺旋具有较好的强化传热及阻垢性能，通过实验系统研究了三种螺旋节距对总传热系数、污垢热阻、污垢层厚度的影响，并结合复杂流场条件下结晶垢的微观表征，对内插往复螺旋阻垢除垢原因进行深入分析。结果表明：在实验条件范围内，随管内溶液流速增大，当往复位移为一个节距时总传热系数稳定值较未结垢时仅降低3%，管内污垢热阻稳定值最大降幅为84%，污垢平均厚度小于0.1 mm，污垢微观形貌出现六方晶体及小颗粒致密晶体块，垢层已不能完整覆盖传热面，此时往复螺旋具有连续在线阻垢性能，螺旋线对污垢层剪切力大于其所能承受的最大剪切力是阻垢性能较好的根本原因。

关键词: 螺旋节距, 结垢, 传热, 显微结构, 阻垢性能

CLC Number:

TK 124

Deqi PENG, Kuilin LIU, Yang WU, Tianlan YU, Zhuowei TAN, Shuying WU, Ying CHEN, Mingcheng TANG, Jianguo PENG. Enhanced heat transfer performance of vibrating reciprocating helix and micro-morphological analysis of crystallization scale[J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(4): 1559-1568.

彭德其, 刘奎霖, 武洋, 俞天兰, 谭卓伟, 吴淑英, 陈莹, 唐明成, 彭建国. 振动往复螺旋强化传热性能及结晶垢微观形貌分析研究[J]. 化工学报, 2025, 76(4): 1559-1568.

Figures/Tables 14

Fig.1 Experimental system

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of spiral structure

Table 1 Measurement results of spiral repositioning

流速/(m/s)	p/mm	x/mm	t/s
0.2	10	＜1	—
	20	0.8	—
	30	5.0	3.0
0.5	10	3.0	1.7
	20	5.0	2.3
	30	13.0	4.0
0.9	10	7.0	3.7
	20	13.0	4.0
	30	28.0	6.2
1.1	10	9.3	4.2
	20	22.0	5.8
	30	36.0	8.0
1.4	10	12.0	4.5
	20	33.0	8.3
	30	51.0	9.3

Fig.3 Solubility curve of sodium sulfate

Fig.4 Physical drawing of detachable structure

Fig.5 Observation position diagram of scale layer

Fig.6 Scale sample photo

Table 2 Relative error

误差来源	误差值
温度记录仪	±0.11%
压力表	±0.28%
热电偶	±1.10%
流量计	±1%

Fig.7 Curves of total heat transfer coefficient for different flow rates with different helical pitches

Fig.8 Fouling thermal resistance curves for different helical pitches at different flow rates

Fig.9 Interpolated reciprocating spiral fouling average thickness curve

Fig.10 Fouling profile of each spiral with different reciprocating displacements

Fig.11 Schematic diagram of spiral coil cross-section

Fig.12 Comparison of flow velocity and spiral shear force

References 34

1	Fang J M, Shi C C, Zhang L, et al. Kinetic characteristics of evaporative crystallization desalination of acidic high-salt wastewater[J]. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 2022, 187: 129-139.
2	Liu X, Zhang Z M, Zhang L, et al. Thermodynamic study on evaporation crystallization of high saline wastewater from lead-acid batteries[J]. Journal of Crystal Growth, 2021, 568: 126166.
3	Zhao H X, Lu M Z, Hu X Q, et al. Evaluation of the performance of ultrasound-assisted membrane distillation crystallization process for water and sodium chloride recovery in hypersaline solution[J]. Desalination, 2022, 531: 115727.
4	Hasan M, Rotich N, John M, et al. Salt recovery from wastewater by air-cooled eutectic freeze crystallization[J]. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2017, 326: 192-200.
5	Ni N, Yuan H, Zhang Z, et al. Theoretical research on ship desulfurization wastewater freezing desalination system driven by waste heat[J]. Desalination, 2023, 549: 116363.
6	于欢, 彭德其, 田清, 等. 管内旋流场综合性能研究进展[J]. 化工进展, 2013, 32(7): 1474-1479.
	Yu H, Peng D Q, Tian Q, et al. Research development of comprehensive performance of rotational flow field in tube[J]. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2013, 32(7): 1474-1479.
7	Aldawi F. Proposing the employment of spring-wire turbulator for flat spiral tubes utilized in solar ponds: experimental study[J]. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 2022, 36: 102180.
8	Yu C L, Ren Z W, Zeng M, et al. Parameters optimization of a parallel-flow heat exchanger with a new type of anti-vibration baffle and coiled wire using Taguchi method[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University: Science A, 2018, 19(9): 676-690.
9	Keklikcioglu O, Ozceyhan V. Experimental investigation on heat transfer enhancement in a circular tube with equilateral triangle cross sectioned coiled-wire inserts[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2018, 131: 686-695.
10	Dang W, Wang L B. Convective heat transfer enhancement mechanisms in circular tube inserted with a type of twined coil[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2021, 169: 120960.
11	Chang S W, Yu K C. Heat transfer enhancement by spirally coiled spring inserts with and without segmental solid cords[J]. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 2018, 97: 119-132.
12	Xu Z, Han Z, Wang J,et al. Numerical simulation of CaSO₄ crystallization fouling in a rectangular channel with vortex generators[J].International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 2019, 101:42-50.
13	Gnanavel C, Saravanan R, Chandrasekaran M. Heat transfer augmentation by nano-fluids and spiral spring insert in double tube heat exchanger—a numerical exploration[J]. Materials Today: Proceedings, 2020, 21: 857-861.
14	胡斐, 陆晓峰, 朱晓磊. 高黏介质中内插扭带对换热管换热性能影响[J]. 化工进展, 2015, 34(9): 3232-3237.
	Hu F, Lu X F, Zhu X L. Influences of an inserted twisted tape on the heat transfer performances of a tube with high viscous medium[J]. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2015, 34(9): 3232-3237.
15	彭德其, 张寓川, 武洋, 等. 换热管内插螺旋阻垢性能及污垢微观特征[J]. 化工学报, 2023, 74(10): 4129-4139.
	Peng D Q, Zhang Y C, Wu Y, et al. Scale-resisting properties and microscopic characteristics of the spiral insert of heat exchange tube[J]. CIESC Journal, 2023, 74(10): 4129-4139.
16	Pahlavanzadeh H, Jafari Nasr M R, Mozaffari S H. Experimental study of thermo-hydraulic and fouling performance of enhanced heat exchangers[J]. International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 2007, 34(7): 907-916.
17	Mashoofi N, Pesteei S M, Moosavi A, et al. Fabrication method and thermal-frictional behavior of a tube-in-tube helically coiled heat exchanger which contains turbulator[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2017, 111: 1008-1015.
18	Dong L L, Crittenden B D, Yang M. Fouling characteristics of water-CaSO₄ solution under surface crystallization and bulk precipitation[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2021, 180: 121812.
19	Song K S, Lim J, Yun S, et al. Composite fouling characteristics of CaCO₃ and CaSO₄ in plate heat exchangers at various operating and geometric conditions[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2019, 136: 555-562.
20	Gao R, Shen C, Wang X L, et al. Experimental study on the fouling and heat transfer characteristics of enhanced tubes used in a cooling tower water system with the actual water quality[J]. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 2022, 181: 107777.
21	Liang Y D, Xu Y, Guan J, et al. Experimental study on fouling inhibition characteristics of a variable frequency electromagnetic field on the CaCO₃ fouling of a heat transfer surface[J]. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2022, 190: 122756.
22	Wang L T, Ge H H, Han Y T, et al. Effects of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles on the formation of inorganic scale on heat exchange surface with and without scale inhibitor[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2019, 151: 1-10.
23	Zhu H F, Zheng F, Lu S J, et al. Effect of electrochemical pretreatment on the control of scaling and fouling caused by circulating cooling water on heat exchanger and side-stream reverse osmosis membrane[J]. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 2021, 43: 102261.
24	Zhao X, Li S Q, Li Y K, et al. Investigation of scale inhibition effect and mechanism of S-HGMF in the clean recirculating cooling water system[J], Science of the Total Environment, 2022, 845: 157156.
25	Andritsos N, Karabelas A J, Koutsoukos P G. Morphology and structure of CaCO₃ scale layers formed under isothermal flow conditions[J]. Langmuir, 1997, 13(10): 2873-2879.
26	彭德其, 张凯博, 俞天兰, 等. 基于PIV法的管内插螺旋液固两相流流场特征[J]. 高校化学工程学报, 2021, 35(2): 243-250.
	Peng D Q, Zhang K B, Yu T L, et al. Flow field characteristics of liquid-solid two-phase flow in tubes with spiral insert using PIV[J]. Journal of Chemical Engineering of Chinese Universities, 2021, 35(2): 243-250.
27	彭德其, 谭卓伟, 张浪, 等. 换热器换热管内插螺旋流态化传热及除防垢的影响因素[J]. 过程工程学报, 2015, 15(6): 935-939.
	Peng D Q, Tan Z W, Zhang L, et al. Influential factors in heat transfer and anti-fouling of heat exchanger tube-inserted fluidization[J]. The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering, 2015, 15(6): 935-939.
28	Farouk N, Abed A M, Singh P K, et al. Thermal performance analysis of artificially roughened solar air heater under turbulent pulsating flow with various wave shapes[J]. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 2023, 41: 102664.
29	Yan Z H, Zhou D, Zhang Q H, et al. A critical review on fouling influence factors and antifouling coatings for heat exchangers of high-salt industrial wastewater[J]. Desalination, 2023, 553: 116504.
30	Moffat R J. Describing the uncertainties in experimental results[J]. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 1988, 1(1): 3-17.
31	Srivastva U, Malhotra R K, Ravi Kumar K, et al. Comparative assessment of classical heat resistance and Wilson plot test techniques used for determining convective heat transfer coefficient of thermo fluids[J]. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress, 2019, 11: 111-124.
32	孙志传, 李蔚, 闫晓龙, 等. 不锈钢三维强化管内的换热和压降特性[J]. 化工学报, 2018, 69(S2): 45-54.
	Sun Z C, Li W, Yan X L, et al. Heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics in stainless steel three-dimensional strengthened tubes[J]. CIESC Journal, 2018, 69(S2): 45-54.
33	聂光华. 十水合硫酸钠及十水合碳酸钠热导率的测量研究[J]. 无机盐工业, 2004, 36(3): 53-55.
	Nie G H. Measurement of the thermal conductivities of Na₂SO₄·10H₂O and Na₂CO₃·10H₂O[J]. Inorganic Chemicals Industry, 2004, 36(3): 53-55.
34	王建江, 李涛, 景雪晖, 等. 直接空冷凝汽器翅片管污垢层清洗的数值研究[J]. 化工进展, 2016, 35(S2): 99-102.
	Wang J J, Li T, Jing X H, et al. Numerical investigation on fouling cleaning of direct air cooled condenser finned tube[J]. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2016, 35(S2): 99-102.

[1]	Luochang WU, Zeyu YANG, Jianguo YAN, Xutao ZHU, Yang CHEN, Zichen WANG. Experimental study on convection heat transfer characteristics of supercritical carbon dioxide flowing in mini square channels [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(4): 1583-1594.
[2]	Xiangrui ZHAI, Wei ZHANG, Qianqian ZHANG, Jiuzhe QU, Xufei YANG, Yajun DENG, Bo YU. Active heat transfer enhancement technology for solid-liquid phase change energy storage based on external field disturbance [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(4): 1432-1446.
[3]	Jiayuan FAN, Wenhui ZENG, Zhichao REN, Wentao ZHANG, Shuang LYU. Preparation and heat transfer enhancement of phase change slurry with multi-phase change temperature [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(4): 1863-1874.
[4]	Cong QI, Linfei YUE. Heat transfer characteristics of interwoven network minichannel heat sinks [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(4): 1534-1544.
[5]	Rui SUN, Junfeng WANG, Haojie XU, Bufa LI, Yaxian XU. Research progress on heat transfer enhancement mechanism of spray cooling technology [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(4): 1404-1421.
[6]	Lu LIU, Kai WAN, Wenyue WANG, Tai WANG, Jiancheng TANG, Shaoheng WANG. Study on orthohydrogen and parahydrogen conversion coupled flow and heat transfer based on helium expansion refrigeration [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(4): 1513-1522.
[7]	Shaoyang MA, Hanzhuo XU, Liangliang ZHANG, Baochang SUN, Haikui ZOU, Yong LUO, Guangwen CHU. Research progress of liquid-liquid heterogeneous reactions and intensification methods towards their transfer processes [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(4): 1391-1403.
[8]	Xiankai ZHANG, Boyu WANG, Yali GUO, Shengqiang SHEN. Calculation and analysis of thermal performance of horizontal circular tube falling film evaporative condenser [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(3): 995-1005.
[9]	Yiming ZHANG, Peng YANG, Xianbing JI, Jixing REN, Lei ZHANG, Zheng MIAO. Thermal performance of multi-loop flat loop heat pipes [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(3): 1018-1028.
[10]	Ke LI, Biping XIN, Jian WEN. Sequential quadratic programming optimization of continuous variable density multi-layer insulation coupled with vapor cooled shield in liquid hydrogen storage tank [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(3): 985-994.
[11]	Yanfang YU, Puyu ZHANG, Huibo MENG, Wen SUN, Wen LI, Wenlong QIAO, Mengqiong ZHANG. Experimental study on heat transfer and turbulent fluctuation characteristics of biomimetic conch static mixer [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(3): 1040-1049.
[12]	Haochen TIAN, Zhixian MA, Zhihao WANG. Film condensation heat transfer characteristics of R1234ze(E) on a horizontal three-dimensional finned tube [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(3): 975-984.
[13]	Qin SUN, Guoqing ZHOU, Wanling ZHAI, Shan GAO, Qianqian LUO, Jian QU. Heat transfer characteristics of topology optimized channel flat-plate pulsating heat pipe under local multiple heat sources [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(3): 1006-1017.
[14]	Wenbao LI, Jinpeng HU, Miao DU, Pengju PAN, Guorong SHAN. High strength and toughness P(SBMA-co-AAc)/SiO₂ composite hydrogel marine antifouling and drag-reducing coating [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(2): 787-796.
[15]	Han CHEN, Chang CAI, Hong LIU, Hongchao YIN. Experimental investigation on spray cooling heat transfer enhancement by n-pentanol additive [J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(1): 131-140.