Interference effect of suspended particles on the crystallization fouling: A critical review

Numerous studies on particulate fouling and crystallization fouling have been performed separately. By examining recent studies on crystallization fouling, the existence of a study gap on the effect of different suspended particles (crystalline and non-crystalline) and the effect of particulate fouling on crystallization fouling has been revealed. Since the presence of suspended particles in any process stream as well as controlled experimental streams is undeniable, the need to investigate the effect of these particles on crystallization fouling is very important, a topic that has been overlooked in many previous studies. Effect of the simultaneous presence of particles besides the soluble salts on the crystallization fouling can make the analysis of fouling formation much more complicated. It was reported that depending on the type of particles, it can increase or decrease the crystallization fouling, and sometimes may be ineffective. In the present study, a critical review on the impact of crystalline (e.g., CaCO3 and CaSO4) and non-crystalline (e.g., Al2O3, SiO2) particles, as well as their combination on the crystallization fouling are presented, and by collecting different results from effect of these particles, the need to consider these particles in future studies of crystallization fouling has been clearly overemphasized.