Flow-Through Capacitor for Selective Ion Removal in Cooling Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Evaporative recirculation cooling water systems face challenges with scaling and corrosion due to the accumulation of dissolved species, particularly hardness ions, which existing ion removal methods either require frequent regeneration or remove beneficial silica ions, leading to increased water loss and chemical additives usage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flow-through capacitor that selectively removes hardness ions while leaving silica ions in the water, controlling the pH between 4 and 9 to maintain silica concentrations as a corrosion inhibitor, and utilizing a waste water outlet to concentrate hardness ions, thereby reducing the need for additional corrosion inhibitors and minimizing water loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If weak acid cation exchange resin is used to remove hardness ions, then ion removal is achieved, but regeneration or replacement of the cation exchange is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical ion exchange resin system with an electrical field-based system using electrodes to remove hardness ions. This substitution eliminates the need for chemical regeneration processes, allowing continuous operation without time loss for resin regeneration or replacement.
2Reliability
If reverse osmosis membrane is used to separate cooling water, then ions are removed, but silica ions are also removed which are good corrosion inhibitors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a selective removal approach where the electrical field configuration is optimized to target specifically hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) while allowing silica ions to pass through unchanged. This local differentiation in ion removal based on charge and size characteristics preserves the beneficial corrosion inhibition properties of silica in the cooling water.
3Reliability
If reverse osmosis membrane is used to separate cooling water, then ions are removed, but the membrane is sensitive to silica fouling requiring anti-foulants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical membrane barrier (reverse osmosis) with an electrical field-based ion removal mechanism. This substitution eliminates the membrane component that is susceptible to silica fouling, thereby removing the need for anti-foulant chemicals and simplifying the system operation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If ion exchange resins are used to remove hardness ions, then scaling is reduced, but chemicals are required for regular regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical-based ion exchange resins with an electrical field-based system that uses electrodes to remove hardness ions through electrochemical processes. This substitution eliminates the need for chemical regeneration agents, reducing chemical additives while maintaining effective scaling prevention.
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
This approach effectively reduces the concentration of dissolved species in the recirculation loop, increases silica ions as corrosion inhibitors, and decreases the requirement for make-up water and chemical additives, enhancing the system's efficiency and sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
Hardness ions may be removed by ion exchange resins, reverse osmosis, electrochemical removal, chemical precipitation, evaporation/distillation
Implementation Method 2
The cooling may be enhanced by a partial evaporation of the water in the recirculation loop
Implementation Method 3
a recirculation loop to recirculate water through the system
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an evaporative recirculation cooling water system, the system being provided with: a recirculation loop to recirculate water through the system; a space to cool the water in the recirculation loop by evaporation; and, an ion removal apparatus for removing ions. The ion removal apparatus is provided with a flow through capacitor for removing hardness ions while leaving silica ions in the water. The flow through capacitor having an inlet connected to the water inlet and an outlet provided with a regulator to direct the flow of water to the recirculation loop or to a waste water output.