Determining crystal growth kinetic parameters using optical fibre sensors

The capability of an ‘intrinsic exposed core optical fibre sensor’ (IECOFS) as a monitoring device of scale formation has been evaluated. The IECOFS has been used to measure kinetics parameters of calcium carbonate heterogeneous crystal growth such as the activation energy, the crystal growth rate and the induction time. The IECOFS was able to evaluate crystal growth inhibition through the use of chemical inhibitors. ► Heterogeneous crystal growth of calcium carbonate has been studied using an ‘intrinsic exposed core optical fiber sensor’ (IECOFS) which allows kinetic parameters such as the activation energy to be determined and scale inhibitors to be evaluated.