What type of material can cause fouling in air strippers?

Fouling in air strippers often results from the accumulation of materials that can precipitate or adhere to surfaces, interfering with the equipment's function. Calcium carbonate is a common culprit in this context because it can precipitate out of the wastewater when conditions such as pH changes lead to its solubility limits being exceeded. When calcium carbonate forms solid deposits, it can coat the surfaces of the air stripper, reducing efficiency and potentially leading to mechanical issues.

Additionally, air strippers are designed to remove volatile organic compounds by using air to strip these contaminants from the liquid phase. However, if calcium carbonate builds up, it can create blockages or hinder the exchange between air and water at the stripper's contact surfaces.

Other materials listed, such as copper oxides, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium chloride, do not typically lead to the same level of fouling in air strippers as calcium carbonate. Copper oxides are not commonly present in significant concentrations in wastewater applications, sodium bicarbonate is more soluble, and potassium chloride does not precipitate in the same manner that calcium carbonate does, making calcium carbonate the primary concern for fouling in this type of equipment.