In order to investigate a fouling mechanism, adhesion behavior of a calcium carbonate particle onto various walls having different hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics have been studied. First, adhesion force was measured by atomic force microscope, which decreases with hydrophilicity of walls. Second, fouling phenomena on each plate was measured over time. In the case of the hydrophobic surface, bare copper plate, adhesive calcium carbonate crystal was increased, and the amounts reached the constant values. On the other hand, in the case of the hydrophilic surface, glass plate and hydrophilic coated copper, calcium carbonate crystal was adhered for several hours, then the crystal was removed from the plates. Crystal types of calcium carbonate on each plate were also analyzed by a X-ray diffractometer. The crystal type was varied due to the hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics of the plates. From the results, it was expected that the hydrophilic treatments to wall surfaces in heat exchanger might be useful to control fouling phenomena. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.