Controlled Hydrodynamic Cavitation with Filtration for Water Treatment

Cooling towers and evaporative condensers consume large amounts of potable water annually. Makeup water used for these systems contains impurities such as dissolved solids and gases, organic compounds, suspended solids and microorganisms. In general, water in cooling towers and evaporative condensers must be treated to control microbial growth, scale formation and metal corrosion.

Nonchemical water treatment methods can help reduce potable water consumption. At the same time, because chemicals are not added to the water, such approaches can improve the quality of the water released into the groundwater recovery systems.

One such technology involves controlled hydrodynamic cavitation (CHC) combined with dual filtration. In such an approach, cooling water is drawn from the cooling tower or evaporative condenser sump. Precision nozzles are used to impart water flow velocity, trajectory and rotation to create opposing water streams. At the core of these streams, a region of near-total vacuum is created, which degases the flow. Under these conditions, hydrodynamic cavitation occurs with intense, microscopically localized extremes of temperature (up to 9000°F [4982°C]), pressure (up to 1,000 atmospheres) and high energy micro-jets.

The CHC technology is based on the principles of kinetic energy, hydrodynamic cavitation and chemical equilibrium. In this multi-system installation, the generator unit and filtration system are installed in a side-stream location. Image provided by Vortex CHC

CHC-treated water is returned to the cooling system sump. Precipitated mineral colloids bond with other colloids and are removed via dual side-stream filtration. The filters capture both heavier-than-water particles with centrifugal separation and lighter-than-water ingested debris such as pollen, leaves, feathers and airborne particles using small-micron, automatically backwashing screen filters.

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Sidebar: Tropicana Evaluates CHC for Condenser Water System

Sidebar by Tony Lundell, Senior Manager, Utilities, Tropicana Products Inc.

The detailed evaluation of a mechanical, chemical-free condenser water treatment system to control scale, corrosion and bacteria at the Tropicana facility in Bradenton, Fla., was one aspect of a comprehensive commitment by Tropicana and its personnel. To reduce plant discharges and conserve water, Tropicana built one of the largest (15,000 tons) refrigerated enclosures in North America. From the onset, a requirement of management and plant personnel was to seek the best available technology in all aspects of the construction and operation of the facility. In addition, Tropicana had concerns regarding water usage, environmental impact and worker safety. Tropicana also desired the lowest overall operating costs from this project.

Project Objective. The scope of the project included the installation and evaluation of three controlled hydrodynamic cavitation (250 gal/min) units and a high capacity automated filtration system on Tropicana’s new condensers. The project goal was to seek new technology that would be equal to or better than traditional methods of condenser water chemical treatment regarding scale control, corrosion control and microbiological control along with water conservation.

Project Description. Controlled hydrodynamic cavitation is used for treating industrial cooling waters — primarily condensers and cooling towers. The CHC technology is based on the principles of kinetic energy, hydrodynamic cavitation and chemical equilibrium. The system to be tested consists of a CHC generator unit and filtration, both of which are side-stream installations.

Since startup at Tropicana, the following results have been documented:

Annual water savings in excess of 5 million gallons.
Corrosion rates below industrial recommendations. Less than 3.0 mpy for mild steel and galvanized steel; less than 0.3 mpy for copper alloy; and less than 0.03 mpy for Type 304 stainless steel — have been achieved.
Microbiological counts under solid control. Counts 50 percent less than older systems that were using traditional methods of chemical treatment have been noted.
No evidence of scale formation. Frequent visual inspections and compressor head pressure readings are used for monitoring.
The ability to reuse more than 7 million gallons of non-potable water per year has been achieved.
Annual cost savings versus chemical treatment has averaged $100,000 per year, resulting in a project payback period of less than 26 months.

Tropicana is committed to seeking efficiency in its management and operational practices by continually seeking and evaluating the best available technology. By installing a CHC system and by evaluating the system, Tropicana was able to derive savings, improve worker safety, improve operating efficiency, reduce water waste, eliminate chemicals and the environmental effects from these chemicals, save water and create a source of non-potable water for process recycle use.

Controling Scale. Calcium solubility is inversely proportional to water temperature. In cooling water applications, the calcium tends to drop out of solution as the water temperature increases, and scale is formed. Chemical treatments attempt to keep these calcium ions in solution.

With controlled hydrodynamic cavitation, the kinetic energy released when the water streams collide forces the solid particles of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) from solution to form non-sticking CaCO₃ colloids. These colloids attract dissolved calcium and carbonate ions. Then, they are filtered from the water stream.

Controling Bacteria. The controlled hydrodynamic cavitation zone is efficient in controlling microorganisms. The localized temperatures and extreme fluctuations in fluid pressure within the controlled hydrodynamic cavitation chamber cause the cell walls of the microorganisms to rupture.

Using a system of controlled hydrodynamic cavitation (CHC) combined with dual filtration, cooling water is drawn from the cooling tower or evaporative condenser sump. Nozzles are used to impart water flow velocity, trajectory and rotation to create opposing water streams. Image provided by Vortex CHC

Controlling Corrosion. Within the controlled hydrodynamic cavitation water stream, a region of near-perfect vacuum (27.5 to 29.5" Hg) forms. This strips dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the water and typically maintains the pH of water near or above 8.5. Controlling scale and bacteria also allows users to avoid using corrosive chemicals in the cooling system. The controlled hydrodynamic cavitation system also keeps the equipment surfaces clean by filtering out solid particles from the cooling water.

Due to the process intensification using controlled hydrodynamic cavitation, combining silica and chlorine gas (Cl₂) is known as activated silica. This micellar form — a high efficiency coagulant and flocculent — will precipitate and pull other suspended solids such as CaCO₃ crystals along with it. This is a synergistic combination that allows the bleed and blowdown stream to be post-treated to near-source water values and then blended into the cooling tower flow as source water, saving large volumes of water.