Περίληψη:
Fouling problems due to limescale formation are of major concern to many industries. Deterioration of heat transfer equipment performance and substantial increase of pressure drop across piping systems comprise the main problems, resulting in high machinery-maintenance cost and decreased productivity. Limescale removal techniques, like scraping, hydro-blasting, and the use of aggressive chemicals, shorten the life of pipes and machinery. Furthermore, limescale prevention techniques in industrial scale, like ion-exchange or reverse osmosis, require expensive equipment and heavy maintenance. In this paper, an electronic antifouling device is presented which, not only prevents limescale formation, but also removes existing scale in plumbing tubes, at insignificant energy consumption. Induction of a Radio-Frequency Alternating Electric Field (RFAEF) in water at a specific range of frequency and antenna voltage, along with its distinct sinewave waveform, changes the way minerals precipitate, minimizing hard-lime scale by producing instead a non-adherent mineral powder in the bulk water. Moreover, the unsaturated solution that is created, along with enhanced carbon dioxide production, dissolves gradually the existing scale in plumbing tubes. Furthermore, the RFAEF inductance device demonstrates a major improvement over other pulsed-power systems, proving this electronic antifouling technique suitable for both hard and soft waters, as well as for large-scale applications. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd
Συγγραφείς:
Georgiou, D.
Bendos, D.
Kalis, M.
Koutis, C.
