Monitoring system fouling with a model heat exchanger and an electrochemical biofilm activity probe

Corrosion and fouling of piping and heat exchangers cooled by surface waters have been major sources of degradation at utility power stations, especially at nuclear plants. The fouling of a once-through service water system at a freshwater cooled nuclear plant was monitored with a sidestream test skid that contained two model heat exchangers, corrosion coupons, and an electrochemical biofilm activity probe. The system fouled rapidly under normal conditions, as shown by both the model heat exchangers and the electrochemical biofilm probe. The biofouling was shown to be controlled effectively by periodic chlorination.