Proceedings of an International Conference on Mitigation of Heat Exchanger Fouling and Its Economic and Environmental Implications

ISBN Print: 1-56700-172-6

PULSED ACOUSTICS FOR BIOFOULING CONTROL IN HEAT EXCHANGERS AND PIPING SYSTEMS

DOI: 10.1615/1-56700-172-6.170
pages 153-160

Resumo

The use of acoustic pulses generated by an electrical discharge was investigated as a means for controlling biological fouling in a 20-foot long, 2-inch diameter (schedule 40 NPS) titanium pipe with seawater flowing at 2.2 feet per second. In the test described herein, a strap-on pulsed acoustic source was field-tested at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) Marine Corrosion Test Facility, Dania, FL over a seventeen-day period. The test results demonstrated that there was less biological fouling on the pipe treated with the pulsed acoustic source than on an untreated pipe used as a control. This paper provides photographs that illustrate the reduced fouling on the pipe treated with the pulsed acoustic device. Additionally, environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) images of test coupons show fewer organisms on the acoustically treated pipe. The work necessary to develop the pulsed acoustic technology into a practical device applicable to heat exchangers and condensers is discussed.