title: Impact of the surface roughness of AISI 316L stainless steel on biofilm adhesion in a seawater-cooled tubular heat exchanger-condenser.
abstract: The present study evaluated biofilm growth in AISI 316L stainless steel tubes for seawater-cooled exchanger-condensers that had four different arithmetic mean surface roughness values ranging from 0.14 μm to 1.2 μm. The results of fluid frictional resistance and heat transfer resistance regarding biofilm formation in the roughest surface showed increases of 28.2% and 19.1% respectively, compared with the smoothest surface. The biofilm thickness taken at the end of the experiment showed variations of up to 74% between the smoothest and roughest surfaces. The thermal efficiency of the heat transfer process in the tube with the roughest surface was 17.4% greater than that in the tube with the smoothest surface. The results suggest that the finish of the inner surfaces of the tubes in heat exchanger-condensers is critical for improving energy efficiency and avoiding biofilm adhesion. This may be utilised to reduce biofilm adhesion and growth in the design of heat exchanger-condensers.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Sciences & Techniques of Navigation and Ship Construction , University of Cantabria , Santander , Spain.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: García
authors.affiliation: a Department of Sciences & Techniques of Navigation and Ship Construction , University of Cantabria , Santander , Spain.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trueba
authors.affiliation: a Department of Sciences & Techniques of Navigation and Ship Construction , University of Cantabria , Santander , Spain.
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.affiliation: a Department of Sciences & Techniques of Navigation and Ship Construction , University of Cantabria , Santander , Spain.
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Madariaga
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D057219:Biofouling / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D012623:Seawater; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013814:Thermal Conductivity; D014872:Water Movements
chemical_list: D013193:Stainless Steel
keywords: AISI 316L stainless steel; Biofilm; heat exchanger-condenser; roughness; seawater