Conference Dates

July 1-6, 2007

First Page

419

Abstract

Biofouling in industrial heat exchangers and piping systems is common in water from all sources. Problems generated by biofouling such as corrosion, sludge deposition and scale formation have a costly impact on industrial equipment and productivity. This paper describes an electronic approach using High Voltage Capacitance Based technology (HVCB) to control biofouling in industrial heat exchangers, focusing upon biofilm removal and the prevention of biofilm formation. Four different application case studies are presented in this paper in which the HVCB technology was used to control biofouling. The applications include an evaporative cooling wall in a greenhouse in Oracle, Arizona; a cooling tower–condenser application in Phoenix, Arizona (study performed by Arizona State University under a U.S. Department of Energy grant); a cooling tower system using reclaimed industrial waste water at a wafer facility in Camas, WA; and a piping system for a major utility plant (Tennessee Valley Authority – TVA) using river water. All four locations showed a significant improvement in biofouling control when the HVCB system was applied. Depending on the conditions of the water at each location, biofouling was controlled, while achieving a complete elimination of biocides, or with a significant reduction in biocide feed. From the data presented, the application of HVCB treatment programs can be successful in interfering with the three recognized stages of biofilm formation in industrial heat exchangers and piping systems.

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