Patent ID: 7077563
Filing Date: 2006-07-18
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for the measurement of differential heat flux, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a heat transfer reference surface; (b) providing a heat transfer fouling surface; (c) providing a heat transfer path capable of transferring heat flux between said reference surface and said fouling surface; (d) providing a pair of heat flux sensors, one of said sensors connected to said reference surface and the other one of said sensors connected to said fouling surface; (e) measuring heat flux values directly from each said sensor without having to measure temperature difference between said sensors; (f) calculating differential heat flux data across said heat transfer path from said heat flux values; (g) utilizing said differential heat flux data to detect and quantify deposit accumulation at said fouling surface; and wherein said heat flux values at said reference surface and said fouling surface both change in response to deposit accumulation at said fouling surface.