EMF Fluid Treatment for SRB Corrosion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial waters contaminated with sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) produce harmful hydrogen sulfide gas, leading to material corrosion and environmental pollution, with existing treatments being ineffective due to biofilm protection and resistance issues.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus generating strong electric and magnetic fields using alternating current at low voltage and low frequency, applied through a series of curved pipe cells to disrupt bacterial membranes and prevent biofilm formation, controlled by a computer program to ensure effective treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biocides are used to treat contaminated fluids, then bacterial growth is inhibited, but bacteria develop resistance and biofilm protection reduces effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical biocides with a physical treatment system using electromagnetic fields (EMF). The EMF generator applies alternating electric and magnetic fields to disrupt bacterial membranes and prevent biofilm formation, eliminating the issue of bacterial resistance development while maintaining effective bacterial control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the treatment parameter from chemical concentration to electromagnetic field intensity and frequency. By controlling EMF parameters (voltage, frequency, duration), the system achieves bacterial control without the adaptability issues of biocides, as bacteria cannot develop resistance to physical field effects
2Power
If high voltage and high frequency AC is used to generate EMF, then strong electromagnetic fields are produced, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the AC source from conventional high voltage/high frequency to low voltage (120V RMS) and low frequency (60 Hz). The innovative transformer design with specific winding configurations (primary and secondary coils with particular turns ratios) enables efficient electromagnetic field generation at these lower parameters, reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient field strength for bacterial control
3Reliability
If conventional EMF treatment methods are used, then bacterial membranes are disrupted, but treatment effectiveness is reduced by biofilm protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic alternating electromagnetic fields that continuously change direction and intensity. This periodic action penetrates biofilm structures more effectively than continuous or pulsed single-direction fields, disrupting both planktonic bacteria and those protected within biofilms by repeatedly stressing the bacterial membranes throughout the treatment duration
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
The method effectively eliminates SRB and prevents biofilm formation, reducing harmful gas production and extending the lifespan of equipment, while being economically viable and energy-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a device that uses Alternate Current (AC) low voltage and low frequency is disclosed. And through a specific arrangement of electrical circuits generates strong electrical and magnetic fields with magnetic densities ranging from 1 μT to 300 μT
Implementation Method 2
Electro-Magnetic-Fields generates pores in the membranes of contaminating organisms, causing their breaking and thus the destruction of cells
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to an apparatus and method for fluids microbiological control in electrical conductive or not electrical conductive current pipes, by applying electric and magnetic fields generated from alternating electrical current of low voltage and low frequency. The apparatus is characterized by comprising a set of cells (21) of piping being electrical conductor or not, separated by electrical insulating joints (10A), but hydraulically interconnected to form sections (22) arranged or connected in series. The apparatus has an electrical arrangement that allows the direction of the magnetic field generated by the current passing through the insulated electric wire, which goes inside the pipe, be added to the direction of magnetic field generated within the pipe. The result of the sum of these magnetic and electrical fields is a tangential reinforced force. The reinforced resultant has helically—centrifuged form with direction to the inner wall of the tube (which carries lots of electrons). These electromagnetic forces push bacteria to the inner tube surface. These forces stress the membrane of these microorganisms and generating pores in the membrane, which eventually causes total lysis.