Influence of Surface Characteristics on the Intensity of Scale Formation on Modified Surfaces

Various approaches are available for the reduction of scale formation on heat transfer surfaces. Among these methods, though, the surface modification is considered as an innovative and efficient, environmentally-friendly approach to mitigate fouling. The notion here is to reduce the interactions between the precursors and the modified surface thus least wetting of the surface by the precursors would be expected leading to mitigation of scale formation. In this study, previous studies on the respective subject is surveyed to in order relate the effect of surface characteristics on fouling. It is shown though that previous studies have sometimes made conflicting conclusions for which the reasons are discussed in details. The paper goes on to conclude that there exists no robust and general criterion to relate surface energy and its sub-components to fouling propensity of various coatings.