| Introduction
Biological
fouling (biofouling) is the undesirable accumulation of microorganisms,
plants and animals on artificial surfaces. This occurs on artificial
surfaces submerged in seawater (marine biofouling), such as ship's
hulls, seaside piers and sea defences, as well as on other surfaces
in continuous contact with water, such as air conditioning systems
and water pipes.
Biofouling
in air conditioning systems can prevent air-flow, reducing cooling
efficiency and increasing energy costs, as well as being foul smelling!
Blooms of algae can block both fresh and salt water filtration systems,
and require water pipes to be frequently cleaned to prevent blockage.
Chlorine
or some other chemicals are used in sea water and fresh water cooling
systems to prevent biofouling from growing. Owing to the regulation
of local environmental protection agency on the discharge of chemicals,
biofouling cannot be eradicated by using chemicals.
AquaKLEAR
- Biofouling
Eliminator
or AquaKLEAR
for short is
an ultimate solution for this kind of problem.
TOP
Technology
AquaKLEAR
produces
continues flocculation effect as illustrated. The electrical signal
applied to the water by AquaKLEAR
is
sinusoidal and will charge microorganisms with a charge according
to the state of voltage at the time.
Segments
of water are generated inside the ferrite ring that are charged alternatively.
Water molecule as illustrated above is bi-polar, the hydrogen atoms
have lost their electrons to the oxygen atom thus becoming positively
charged, the oxygen has gained electrons thus becoming negatively
charged. All charged microorganisms will be surrounded by water molecules
as illustrated above. Charged microorganisms attract each other with
opposite charge. The water molecules as arranged are pure water with
a very low conductivity (38 billion ohm/cm at 0° C.), this prevents
the charged microorganisms being inversely charged. Large flock can
be thus maintained and removed by ordinary sand filter.
The
above theory states how AquaKLEAR
eradicate biofouling in fresh water cooled system. In sea water application,
AquaKLEAR
actually
kills microorganisms that causes biofouling.
The
figure above illustrates the way the water molecules arrange around
a negatively charged microorgansim. A microorganism that has passed
in the AquaKLEAR
ferrite
ring, will obtain a charge that is negative or positive according
to the voltage induced in the water at the time. The illustration
above is for a negative charge. If a positive charge is obtained the
process is the same, the only difference is that the water molecules
will be rotated 180° .
The
result of this water molecules arrangement is that, a layer of pure
water is surrounding the microorganism. The osmotic force will introduce
water into the microorganism producing the osmotic pressure that depends
on the concentration of the solute inside the microorganism. This
pressure will cause the microorganism membrane to rapture and cause
the premature death of the microorganism. Even if the osmotic pressure
is not enough to burst the membrane, the dilution of the inside of
the cell and the exclusion of all other minerals will disrupt the
metabolic processes and cause the premature death of the microorganism.
TOP
Applications
AquaKLEAR
can
be installed in any applications where biofouling existed.
When
AquaKLEAR
is
used in once-through
and sea water system, sand filter is not needed as microorganisms
are killed and no debris remains in the path. Otherwise a sand filter
must be present to remove the flocculated or killed microorganisms.
TOP
Benefits
AquaKLEAR
eradicates biofouling in an innovative, reliable, cost effective and
environmental friendly way. The benefits that an AquaKLEAR
can bring to you is numerous and summarised as below:
-
Maximised Heat Transfer Efficiency
Biofouling
has a very poor thermal conductivity which reduces system performance
and at worst leads to system shut down. The heat transfer coefficent
is now brought to its designed value with the presence of AquaKLEAR.
Thus no more energy is lost due to the biofouling.
- Reduced Equipment
Down Time and Maintenance Cost
The
cleaning of equipments with biofouling existed can be as frequent
as once three weeks and varies as water temperature, nutrient content,
microorganism level etc. With AquaKLEAR
in place, the interval between each time of cleaning is extended
dramatically and hence the labour cost is reduced.
-
Low Power Comsumption
AquaKLEAR
normally consumes less than 20W for its operation. The electricity
cost of it is negligible for continuous operation.
-
Ease of Installation
AquaKLEAR
is not an intrusive method and installation can be completed within
an hour provided that a single phase power socket is available.
There is no change in the pipework and the original equipment.
-
Minimal Attention Required
AquaKLEAR
built on latest low power solid state technology and its typical
power consumption is less than 20W. There is no problem of fatigue,
wear out, over-heating and fast aging. It is maintenance free and
the only attention to it is to make sure the two LEDs on the control
unit are lit up.
-
Environmental Friendly
Less chemical is used and energy is saved with the use of AquaKLEAR.
TOP |
