Water Conditioning for Bacterial Control in Cooling Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial water recirculation systems face challenges with microbial contamination, corrosion, and scaling due to high concentrations of dissolved solids, leading to reduced energy efficiency, equipment degradation, and increased operational costs, as well as environmental hazards and excessive water consumption.
Innovation Solution
A water conditioning system that introduces positively charged copper and silver ions into the water, combined with magnetic conditioning and side stream filtration, to reduce microbial growth, corrosion, and scaling, while recovering and reusing water, thereby reducing the need for make-up water and minimizing chemical treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical treatments are used to control microbes, then microbial growth is suppressed, but water quality deteriorates and corrosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical treatment methods with a physical treatment system consisting of an electrostatic precipitator and ultrasonic treatment apparatus. The electrostatic precipitator uses high-voltage electrostatic fields to charge and collect bacterial particles, while the ultrasonic apparatus uses acoustic cavitation to destroy bacterial cell structures. This mechanical/physical substitution eliminates the need for chemicals that degrade water quality and cause corrosion, while maintaining effective microbial control.
2Productivity
If dissolved solids are removed from process water, then operational efficiency is preserved and operating costs are reduced, but water treatment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water treatment process into distinct functional stages: electrostatic precipitation for particle removal, ultrasonic treatment for bacterial destruction, and filtration for solid particle removal. Each stage targets specific contaminants independently, allowing the system to remove dissolved solids and suspended particles efficiently without requiring overly complex integrated treatment systems. This modular segmentation maintains operational efficiency while managing treatment complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If recirculating cooling water systems operate continuously, then heat transfer efficiency is maintained, but microbial contamination and scaling increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous treatment within the recirculating cooling water system by integrating the electrostatic precipitator, ultrasonic treatment apparatus, and filtration system into the existing water circulation loop. The treatment operates continuously as water recirculates, maintaining heat transfer efficiency without interruption while continuously removing contaminants. This continuous action prevents microbial contamination and scaling accumulation, resolving the contradiction between operational continuity and water quality maintenance.
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 system effectively extends the service life of equipment, reduces operational costs, conserves water, and minimizes environmental impact by maintaining water quality, reducing bacterial hazards, and lowering sewer fees through efficient water management and non-toxic treatment methods.
Implementation Method 1
a water treatment system including an electrostatic precipitator that treats the water by introducing a electrical charge to water-borne particles and bacteria
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic treatment apparatus that destroys the structure of bacteria and other contaminants within the water
Implementation Method 3
a centrifugal filter that separates suspended particles from the water
Data Source
AI summary
A water conditioning system for evaporative cooling systems reduces operating costs and microbial contamination by introducing positively charged copper-silver ions into water used as a working fluid. Some of the recirculating water is also passed through a magnetic conditioner to increase its conductivity. By concentrating the total dissolved solids (TDS) in a portion of the water to be expelled, the remaining system water plus new make-up water added contains far lower TDS, reducing health risks, maintenance costs, corrosion, and scaling, and extending service life of replaceable filter elements and system machinery. Recovering non-chemically treated cooling tower bleed water with commercial scale nanofiltration water polishing equipment and returning that polished water back to the cooling tower water basin reduces the make-up water required, and may achieve 70% or greater reduction in sewer fees for tower bleed water, along with increased cycles of concentration further reducing requirement for make-up water.