Microwave Bacteria Removal in Cooling Tower Water

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for eliminating bacteria from cooling systems, such as water cooling towers in the oil industry, rely on costly and environmentally hazardous biocides, which face challenges in maintaining effective treatment doses and can lead to biocide resistance and corrosion issues.

Innovation Solution

The use of electromagnetic energy, specifically microwave irradiation, to eliminate bacteria from cooling systems by applying electromagnetic energy to the liquid within specialized conduits, ensuring thorough treatment and minimizing chemical usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If biocides are used to eliminate bacteria from cooling systems, then bacterial elimination effectiveness is improved, but operational cost increases and environmental harm worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial elimination effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental harm and toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical biocides with a physical electromagnetic radiation system. The microwave generator emits electromagnetic waves that pass through the cooling water in cooling towers, directly eliminating bacteria through physical energy interaction rather than chemical reactions, thereby avoiding environmental pollution and toxicity issues associated with chemical biocides

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the treatment parameter from chemical concentration to electromagnetic radiation intensity and exposure time. By controlling the power output of the microwave generator and the residence time of water in the cooling tower, the system achieves effective bacterial elimination through physical parameters rather than chemical dosing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If biocides are used to eliminate bacteria from cooling systems, then bacterial elimination effectiveness is improved, but operational cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial elimination effectivenessVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes chemical treatment systems with an electromagnetic radiation system. The microwave generator consumes electrical energy to produce electromagnetic waves that treat the cooling water, replacing the ongoing cost of purchasing and applying chemical biocides with electrical energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conventional biocide treatment is used, then bacterial elimination is achieved, but biocide resistance develops and treatment optimization becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial eliminationVSAvoidtreatment dose optimization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical biocide application with electromagnetic radiation treatment. This substitution eliminates the complexity of dosing optimization because electromagnetic energy can be uniformly distributed through the cooling water system, and its effectiveness depends on intensity and exposure time rather than chemical concentration gradients and mixing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The microwave generator operates continuously or periodically to emit electromagnetic waves through the cooling water. This periodic or continuous electromagnetic treatment ensures consistent bacterial elimination without the need to optimize chemical dosing frequencies and concentrations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If chemical biocides are used, then bacterial control is achieved, but corrosion rates increase due to acidity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial controlVSAvoidcorrosion and acidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical biocides that generate acidic by-products with electromagnetic radiation treatment. The microwave-generated electromagnetic waves eliminate bacteria through physical energy interaction that does not produce acidic substances, thereby preventing the corrosion issues associated with chemical biocide use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 method effectively eliminates a broad range of bacteria without the need for toxic chemicals, reducing costs and environmental impact while maintaining system integrity by ensuring thorough bacterial elimination.

Implementation Method 1

A source of electromagnetic energy is disposed along a length of the inner conduits and is configured to emit electromagnetic energy to the untreated liquid contained in the inner conduits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11161758B2Microwave based systems for bacteria removal from water cooling towers

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A system is provided that utilizes electromagnetic energy for bacteria elimination from cooling systems, such as water cooling tower systems that are used to cool down a heat exchanger in oil industry and it can be also extended to be used in the bacteria removal associated to crude oil.