and Water Conservation Professionals
INDEPENDENT STUDIES
Clearwater Systems participates in several trade and professional organizations, including the American Microbiology Society and the Cooling Tower Institute of America. Papers presented at conferences and featured in journals are summarized below, with full text linked to the titles.
"Alternatives to chlorine for cleaning cooling towers "
The new amendments to ASHRAE Standard 62-2001, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, require a minium separation distance between cooling towers and outdoor air intakes or doors and windows that are a part of a natural ventilation design. However this minimum distance does not necessarily provide protection to building occupants from exposure to cooling tower contaminants. These contaminants may be either bacteria from an infection in the cooling tower sump or cleaning chemicals, generally chlorine, intended to protect against an infection.
"Dolphin System Water Treatment Study - Conducted at MCI"
MCI’s Sacramento Local OPS Facility in Rancho Cordova, CA commissioned a test of a non-chemical water treatment system from Clearwater Systems LLC (Dolphin System) on their #4 cooling tower. The results of the test were:
- Significant cleaning of the plate-and-frame heat exchanger.
- Consistently low bacteria levels.
- Good corrosion results.
- Elimination of nearly all chemical treatment. One biocide application was conducted over the six-month test period.
Based on the operational results, the Dolphin pulse-power treatment system is a viable alternative to traditional chemical treatment regiments and provides both operational and environmental advantages.
"Pulsed-Power Water Treatment as a Green Scale Inhibitor for
HVAC and Once-Through Industrial Systems"
The search for a nonchemical way to reduce scale formation has been the “Holy Grail” of those seeking a “green” solution to this problem. Chemical water treatment can be successful at controlling scale; however, the problems associated with adding chemicals with various degrees of toxicity are factual. Chemicals in the concentrated form are often acute toxins, and their chronic toxicity in the diluted form is often uncertain. Chemicals must be added at the right time and rate or they are not as effective. Also, if improperly added to a system, they may cause severe operational problems.
"Pulse-Power Water Treatment Systems for Cooling Towers"
“Pay me now or pay me later…”
It’s another scorching summer day in Sacramento. The local weather forecaster is calling for yet another 103°F day – the fourth time this week. The phone starts ringing – people from all parts of the building are calling to tell you that the air conditioning system is broken (again). With a heavy sigh, you grab your tool belt and head outside to check on the chiller. Outside, an idle chiller and a slimy, scale encrusted cooling tower greet you. As you look over the system, the words of the cooling tower salesman echo in your head once again, “Remember to keep up on your water treatment program.”
"Condenser Water Treatment Using Pulsed Power"
Regulatory pressures and economic considerations require industry to become cleaner, more efficient, and more environmentally benign. Such operating principles advance not only good public relations but reduce liability, improve working conditions, and relieve or simplify regulatory reporting obligations.
"Biological Control in Cooling Towers Treated with Pulsed-Power Systems"
This paper describes the effects of treating three cooling towers with pulsed-power technology, a completely non-chemical technique. Extensive biological data covering up to 16 months, including the transition period from chemical to non-chemical treatment, is reported. The paper includes the effects of pulsed-power technology on biofilm, turbidity, scaling, and corrosion.
"Chemical-Free Treatment of Recirculating Water Using Pulsed-Power"
Regulatory pressures and economic considerations require industry to become cleaner, more efficient, and more environmentally benign. Such operating principles advance not only good public relations but reduce liability, improve working conditions, and relieve or simplify regulatory obligations.
"The Effect of Pulse-Power Technology on the Microbial Content and Biofilm Formation in Evaporative Cooling Towers"
This paper will be presented at the 100th Annual General Meeting of the American Society of Microbiology, May 21-25, 2000. Professor Dennis J. Opheim, Ph.D. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Quinnipiac University, Hamden CT will share his results of a study that quantitatively compares the effectiveness of pulsed-power water treatment with traditional chemical water treatment on the microbial content and formation of biofilm in cooling tower systems. Six cooling towers operated for process cooling (75 to 175 tons of cooling each) by two major Connecticut manufacturers were treated with either the pulsed-power Dolphin Hytronic ™ System manufactured by Clearwater Systems, LLC, or by traditional chlorine based chemical treatment.
"A Non-Chemical Water Treatment for Cooling Towers"
Clearwater Systems presented this paper at the February, 2000 Cooling Tower Technology Institute Conference. The paper highlights a remarkable performance by the Pulsed Power Technology as applied to a Connecticut aerospace manufacturers' cooling towers.This installation shows that scaling, biological activity and corrosion can be controlled using only an electronic PPS device under a very extreme condition. Running a tower without blowdown and without any method to remove precipitation is clearly not appropriate; however, even in this extreme condition the system performed acceptably.
"Non-Chemical Water Conditioning at Schick: A Pollution Prevention Case Study"
Clearwater Systems technology is featured in this case study of the Schick Corporation of Milford Connecticut. Schick is a division of the Warner-Lambert Corporation, a provider of health care and consumer products. The Milford facility encompasses about 435,000 square feet and employs about 900 workers. It operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. When a new 110-ton cooling tower (Marley - Model MN-3861, 330 gallons per minute) was scheduled to be brought on-line in June of 1994, the Senior Project Engineer convinced the company managers to try a non-chemical water conditioning unit. Results of the installation include:
- Total bacterial counts - maintained between 1 to 17,000 CFU/mL, as compared to the chemically controlled cooling towers which had counts between 30,000 and 100,000 CFU/mL over the same time period.
- Observations noted no odors, no algae, water appears clear from the 1994 installation through the spring of 1999
Schick has since installed units on all of its boilers as well, totally eliminating the use of all water conditioning chemicals. The company reports that a boiler inspection showed clean tubes and completely satisfied the insurance company which has strict requirements for boiler upkeep.
"Dolphins to the Rescue: Dolphins Eliminate the Need for Chemical Treatments to Prevent Scaling"
The May 1999 newsletter of the Connecticut Technology Extension Program featured Clearwater Systems new Pulsed Power Technology for water treatment. The article highlights the technologies operational and economic advantages for a large Connecticut dairy. The company was looking for an alternative to the chemical treatment of their boiler water and was intrigued by the prospect of eliminating potentially hazardous chemicals in a food-processing environment, and benefits of energy savings and water conservation. Two units were installed and operated continuously for three months, resulting in nearly 50% decrease in fuel consumption.