Method for measuring the rate of a fouling reaction induced by heat transfer using a piezoelectric microbalance

A method for measuring a rate of scale formation on a surface caused by flowing liquid and a heat flux through the surface, the method comprising:

• a) providing a piezoelectric microbalance comprising piezoelectric material having a first side facing the liquid and a second opposing side, the first side engaging a working electrode, the second side engaging a second electrode;
• b) exposing the working electrode of the piezoelectric microbalance to a flowing liquid, the liquid containing at least one fouling species;
• c) maintaining the liquid at a constant first temperature;
• d) maintaining the liquid in a controlled flow environment;
• e) applying a variable heat flux across the piezoelectric material to maintain the working electrode at a constant second temperature;
• and
• f) measuring a rate of precipitation on the surface of the piezoelectric material and working electrode.

A method for measuring the effectiveness of an anti-fouling additive in preventing fouling at a solid-liquid interface disposed in a flowing liquid and subjected to a heat flux, the method comprising:

• a) providing a piezoelectric microbalance comprising a piezoelectric material having a first side facing the liquid and a second opposing side, the first side engaging a working electrode, the second side engaging a second electrode, the second side of the piezoelectric material engaging a heat conductive material connected to a heat flux generator;
• b) exposing the working electrode to the flowing liquid, the liquid containing at least one fouling forming species;
• c) maintaining the liquid at a constant first temperature;
• d) maintaining the liquid in a controlled flow environment;
• e) simultaneously applying a heat flux through the piezoelectric material and the working electrode to maintain the working electrode at a constant second temperature and applying an electrochemical polarization to the working electrode;
• f) measuring a rate of precipitation using the piezoelectric microbalance;
• g) adding the anti-fouling additive to the liquid;
• h) repeating step (f).

A method for measuring the effectiveness of an anti-fouling additive in preventing fouling at a solid-liquid interface disposed in a flowing liquid and subjected to heat transfer, the method comprising:

• a) providing a piezoelectric microbalance comprising a piezoelectric material having a first side facing the liquid and a second opposing side, the first side engaging a working electrode, the second side engaging a second electrode, the second side engaging a heat conductive material connected to a heat flux generator;
• b) exposing the working electrode to the flowing liquid, the liquid containing at least one fouling species;
• c) maintaining the liquid at a constant first temperature;
• d) maintaining the liquid in a controlled flow environment;
• e) simultaneously applying a constant heat flux through the piezoelectric microbalance to maintain the working electrode thereof at a variable second temperature and applying an electrochemical polarization to the electrode;
• f) measuring a rate of precipitation using the piezoelectric microbalance;
• g) adding the anti-fouling additive to the liquid;
• h) repeating step (f).