Fouling models for heat exchangers

One of the most critical and widely used unit operations in the food processing industry is thermal treatment. Heat exchangers offer an effective and ef cient means of heat utilization through heat recycling and better heat transfer. During heat treatment the food products undergo structural and chemical changes. Owing to changes occurring in the food product some of the constituents like proteins and minerals precipitate resulting in lm-like deposits which adhere to the food processing equipment surface. These deposits are generally referred to as foulants and this phenomenon of deposition of food constituents on the equipment surface is termed fouling.