Open AccessInnovative Mechanical Water Treatment for Evaporative Condensers at a Citrus Facility
Author(s) -
Philip Vella
Publication year - 2008
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.1115/cec2008-5402
Subject(s) - condenser (optics) , environmental science , water cooling , waste management , evaporative cooler , process engineering , engineering , water treatment , environmental engineering , mechanical engineering , light source , physics , optics
This paper will describe the use of non-chemical technology for the treatment of cooling water from evaporative condensers at a citrus facility. The technology used is Controlled Hydrodynamic Cavitation (CHC). CHC is one of the most innovative technologies employed today and is unlike all other non-chemical technologies currently available that provide scale, corrosion, and microbiological control in addition to water conservation. The objectives of this study conducted in 2003–2004 were to: (a) provide scale, corrosion, and microbiological control to a state-of-the-art facility which cools one of the largest refrigerated enclosures in North America, (b) improve condenser operating efficiency over the existing condenser systems, (c) conserve water by minimizing condenser makeup, (d) produce a reduced quantity of condenser bleed with reduced levels of contaminants, and (e) implement environmental improvements and worker safety wherever possible. Based on the data obtained from the study, all objectives were met, operating expenditures were reduced, and the facility successfully continues to use the CHC technology. Paper published with permission.