Electrolytic Biocide Unit Polarity Switching for Scale Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biofouling in water systems leads to equipment inefficiency and costly downtime due to clogging and the need for expensive, hazardous acid cleaning, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An electrolytic biocide-generating system with a control system that alternates electrode polarity to prevent scaling and generate biocides in-situ, using a switching arrangement to ensure adequate polarity switching even with short operational cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If periodic acid cleaning is used to address bio-growth, then biofouling is removed, but the process becomes expensive, time-consuming, and requires hazardous chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolytic biocide-generating unit enables the water system to self-treat biofouling by generating biocides in-situ through electrolysis of salt water, eliminating the need for external acid cleaning operations and hazardous chemical handling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical acid cleaning process with an electrochemical system that uses electricity to generate biocides, substituting a complex chemical handling process with a controlled electrical process
2Reliability
If electrolytic biocide generation is implemented, then biofouling is prevented, but scaling can occur on electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The control system periodically reverses electrode polarity, switching between first and second configurations to prevent scale accumulation on either electrode surface, thereby maintaining system efficiency without compromising biofouling prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the polarity parameter of the electrodes by switching between different configurations, which prevents scale formation while maintaining biocide generation effectiveness
3Use of energy by moving object
If the system is repeatedly turned off after short operational periods, then energy consumption is reduced, but scaling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary polarity switching actions when the system is turned off after short operational periods, proactively preventing scale accumulation before it becomes problematic, thereby enabling energy-efficient short-cycle operation without scaling issues
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents biofouling and scaling in water systems, maintaining equipment efficiency with minimal downtime and reducing the need for harsh chemical cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolytic arrangement for providing the in-situ generation of biocide within the water passing through the water system
Implementation Method 2
an electrical power circuit for establishing a flow of electrical current between first and second electrodes of the electrode arrangement to generate a biocide in the water within the electrolytic cell
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a biocide-generating device for outputting a biocide to a water system. The biocide-generating device includes a housing having a water inlet for receiving water from the water system and a water outlet for outputting water containing biocide to the water system. The biocide-generating device also includes an electrode arrangement having first and second electrodes positioned in the housing for generating biocide in the water within the housing, and an electrical power circuit for establishing a flow of electrical current between first and second electrodes of the electrode arrangement for generating the biocide in the water within the first chamber electrolytic cell. A control system of the biocide-generating device has operational features adapted to inhibit scaling to the electrode arrangement.