The scaling process of calcium carbonate on a low-energy heat transfer surface－electroless plating
surface was investigated in a simulated cooling water system. Owing to the very low surface energy, the electroless
plating surface exhibited less scaling susceptibility. A longer induction period and a lower scaling rate were obtained
on the low-energy surface compared to copper surface under identical conditions. The calcite particles obtained on
the electroless plating surface during the induction period were larger in size than those on copper surface because
fewer crystals formed and grew at the same time on the low-energy surface. With increasing surface temperature, the
induction period reduced and the scaling rate increased for the low-energy surface. When initial surface temperature
was fixed, an increase in fluid velocity would reduce the induction period and increase the scaling rate due to the
diffusion effect. However, when the heat flux was fixed, an increase in fluid velocity would decrease the surface
temperature, and lead to a longer induction period and a lower scaling rate. The removal experiments of calcium
carbonate scale indicated that during post induction period, the detachment was not obvious, while during the
induction period, apparent removal of crystal particles was obtained on the electroless plating surface owing to the weak adhesion force. The more frequently the transient high hydrodynamic force acted, the more the detached crystal particles were.
