Use of an Oscillating Electric Field to Mitigate Mineral Fouling in a Heat Exchanger

Tijing, Leonard D.; Kim, H. Y.; Lee, D. H.; Kim, C. S.; Cho, Y. I.

doi:10.1080/08916150903098936

Cited by 25 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The cleaning rate can possibly be accelerated by using a high flow velocity for the CIP process as well as using a high concentration for the cleaning solution. Other methods to mitigate crystallization fouling, such as the use of oscillating electric fields [16] or ultrasound [17], need further investigation for their application in micro heat exchangers. Another measure to reduce the adhesion could be a surface treatment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crystallization Fouling in Experimental Micro Heat Exchangers—Optical and Thermal Investigations

Mayer¹,

Bucko²,

Benzinger³

et al. 2013

Experimental Heat Transfer

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The intention of this work is the basic investigations of the fouling behavior in micro heat exchangers. Therefore fouling experiments with calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) in an experimental micro heat exchanger were carried out and observed with a digital microscope. The investigations included local temperature measurements confirmed by computational fluid dynamics simulation as well as optical visualization of the fouling process inside the microchannels. The detected fouling resistances R f were in the range of 10 5 -10 4 m 2 K W 1 . Cleaning in place was possible and also optically observed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crystallization Fouling in Experimental Micro Heat Exchangers—Optical and Thermal Investigations

Mayer¹,

Bucko²,

Benzinger³

et al. 2013

Experimental Heat Transfer

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“…If one can prevent or mitigate fouling on heat transfer surfaces, it not only increases heat exchanger efficiency, but also reduces the expenses associated with the cleaning of fouled heat exchangers. In addition to the benefit of reduced mineral fouling, the COC can be increased, resulting in water savings by reduced make-up and blowdown as shown in the previous section and other previous studies (Muller-Steinhagen, 2000;Tijing et al, 2009;Demadis et al, 2007). Blowdown is the water drained from cooling equipment to remove mineral build-up in the circulating water.…”

Section: Application For Mineral Fouling Mitigation In Heat Exchangersmentioning

confidence: 97%

Application of Pulse Spark Discharges for Scale Prevention and Continuous Filtration Methods in Coal-Fired Power Plant

Cho¹,

Fridman²

2012

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The overall objective of the present work was to develop a new scale-prevention technology by continuously precipitating and removing dissolved mineral ions (such as calcium and magnesium) in cooling water while the COC could be doubled from the present standard value of 3.5. The hypothesis of the present study was that if we could successfully precipitate and remove the excess calcium ions in cooling water, we could prevent condenser-tube fouling and at the same time double the COC. The approach in the study was to utilize pulse spark discharges directly in water to precipitate dissolved mineral ions in recirculating cooling water into relatively large suspended particles, which could be removed by a self-cleaning filter.The present study began with a basic scientific research to better understand the mechanism of pulse spark discharges in water and conducted a series of validation experiments using hard water in a laboratory cooling tower. Task 1 of the present work was to demonstrate if the spark discharge could precipitate the mineral ions in water. Task 2 was to demonstrate if the selfcleaning filter could continuously remove these precipitated calcium particles such that the blowdown could be eliminated or significantly reduced. Task 3 was to demonstrate if the scale could be prevented or minimized at condenser tubes with a COC of 8 or (almost) zero blowdown. In Task 1, we successfully completed the validation study that confirmed the precipitation of dissolved calcium ions in cooling water with the supporting data of calcium hardness over time as measured by a calcium ion probe. In Task 2, we confirmed through experimental tests that the self-cleaning filter could continuously remove precipitated calcium particles in a simulated laboratory cooling tower such that the blowdown could be eliminated or significantly reduced. In addition, chemical water analysis data were obtained which were used to confirm the COC calculation. In Task 3, we conducted a series of heat transfer fouling tests using a condenser heat exchanger in the laboratory cooling tower, from which we confirmed that the plasma water treatment technology could prevent or significantly mitigate mineral foulings in condenser tubes when compared with the no-treatment case.With the completion of the present work, a cooling water treatment technology using pulse spark discharges is currently ready for field-validation tests. The plasma water treatment technology is a true mechanical water softener with almost no maintenance, which continuously converts hard water to soft water spending a relatively small amount of energy. Such a mechanical water softener could find wide-spread applications to solve hard water problems both in industry and at home. Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION Background of the ProjectThe U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) has established a set of national priorities that includes the goal to promote secure, competitive, and environmentally responsible energy systems that serve the needs of the public. The Innovations for Existing Plants (IE...

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“…In this sense, the capacity of the EMFs to precipitate ions dissolved in seawater was evidenced by the mean variation in the water conductivity before (54.9 ± 2.2 mS cm −1 ) and after (53.8 ± 1.6 mS cm −1 ) the treatment. The conductivity is directly proportional to the concentration of dissolved ions and their mobility in solution (Tijing et al 2009;Trueba et al 2014). Therefore, the EMF-induced reduction in the water conductivity is caused by the precipitation of the dissolved ions that crystallised into particles which become suspended in the medium.…”

Section: Evolution Of Biofouling In the Emf-treated Tubesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of electromagnetic fields on biofouling in a heat exchange system using seawater

et al. 2015

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This article discusses the antifouling action of a continuous physical treatment process comprising the application of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) to seawater used as the refrigerant fluid in a heat exchanger-condenser to maintain the initial 'clean tube' condition. The results demonstrated that the EMFs accelerated the ionic nucleation of calcium and precipitation as calcium carbonate, which weakened the growing biofilm and reduced its adhesion capacity. Consequently, EMFs induced an erosive effect that reduced biofilm formation and fouling. This treatment allowed for the maintenance of significantly lower fouling factors in the treated tubes compared to a control group of untreated tubes, thereby leading to a higher heat transfer efficiency.

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Use of an Oscillating Electric Field to Mitigate Mineral Fouling in a Heat Exchanger

Cited by 25 publications

References 15 publications

Crystallization Fouling in Experimental Micro Heat Exchangers—Optical and Thermal Investigations

Crystallization Fouling in Experimental Micro Heat Exchangers—Optical and Thermal Investigations

Application of Pulse Spark Discharges for Scale Prevention and Continuous Filtration Methods in Coal-Fired Power Plant

The effect of electromagnetic fields on biofouling in a heat exchange system using seawater

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