Hans-Jörg Bart

BSD Bubble Size Distribution LED Light Emitting Diode MAE Mean Absolute Error OMCoP Optical Multiphase Conductivity Inline Probe PoI Point of Interest SMD Surface Mounted Device STR Stirred Tank Reactor 1 Introduction Foam formation is a widespread but often unavoidable problem in the chemical industry. Foam can occur in numerous processes and significantly affect both product quality and process stability [1-3].

1 Introduction Heat exchangers are critical components in many areas of the process industry. Being able to transfer the necessary heat in a reliable and efficient way is crucial to constant and robust operating conditions, product quality as well as to minimizing energy consumption and costs [1]. Therefore, fouling, the unwanted formation of deposits on heat transferring surfaces, is a highly unwanted phenomenon.

1 INTRODUCTION The deposition of unwanted particles on heat exchangers results in higher operational costs such as increased maintenance and frequent downtimes to clean the heat exchanging surfaces. Fouling also increases environmental costs by increasing CO2 emissions and the disposal of chemical cleaning agents commonly used to remove deposits.1 Since many substances tend to form deposits when heated or cooled, fouling impacts almost all industrial branches.