Electrochemical Method of Reducing Scale on or in Metal Pipes

Nearly all industries rely on hard water transport through pipelines for process water or heat exchange. In most cases the dissolved salts in the water deposit gradually on the pipe walls, restricting fluid flow and increasing pumping cost. Sometimes these deposits become so large that the pipelines must either be cleaned or replaced. Currently chemicals are added to process water to reduce scale build up. However, these chemicals are not very effective and can have adverse effects on the chemical process for which the water is being used. This technology describes a novel method of prevention and treatment of scale build up by applying an oscillating potential between adjacent pipe sections that are electrically insulated from each other. The oscillating potential is applied with sufficient voltage and frequency to disrupt the deposition of the dissolved salts as scale.

Benefits
*Reduce Plant down time for pipe cleaning in processes that involve the transport of aqueous media in metal pipes
*Extend the usable lifetime of pipes in aqueous media transport pipes
*Reduce energy waste through decreased pumping costs in cleaner pipes

Stage of Development
This technology is part of an active and ongoing research program and is available for developmental research support/licensing under either exclusive or non-exclusive terms.

Additional Info
*http://www.cc.utah.edu/~mlf5/

Inventor(s): Michael Free

Type of Offer: Licensing



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