The objective of the present study was to investigate the validity of an electronic anti-fouling (EAF) technology, an innovative technique to mitigate precipitation fouling in a heat exchanger. The EAF technology precipitates dissolved ions into insoluble crystals. In order to accelerate this precipitation, the EAF technology utilizes a solenoid-induced molecular agitation.;The present study examined the parameters which influence the induced electric field created by time-varying current signal in a solenoid and the effect of fouling parameters on the EAF treatment.;The general fouling data in the present study were obtained from shell-and-tube heat exchanger operating in a once-though counter flow system. Three parameters were varied, which include flow velocity, concentration of CaCO$sb3,$ and temperature. Effects of these parameters were examined in terms of the fouling resistance.;In order to investigate the validity of EAF technology, a series of tests were conducted in a single shell-and-tube heat exchanger by changing concentration, velocity, and temperature with and without the EAF treatment.;To check the validity of the EAF treatment in a plate-and-frame heat exchanger (Alfa Laval M3) whose thermal performance was very sensitive to fouling, harsh fouling tests were also carried out in recirculation and once-through system.
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