Patent NZ-713354-A (NZ)
Title: System and method for regulating conductivity of cooling water from a cooling water recirculation system
Inventor: NG BEE KEONG
IPC: G05D7/06
Filed: 2012-11-05
Abstract: There is provided a system and method for regulating conductivity of cooling water in a recirculation route of a cooling water recirculation system through which the cooling water is circulated for removing scale from the cooling water. The system comprises an electrolytic device connectable to the cooling water recirculation system for performing electrolysis on the cooling water, the electrolytic device having an electrolytic chamber for receiving the cooling water, a pair of electrodes disposed in the electrolytic chamber and a power source for applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes; a controller connected to the power source; an inflow line through which the cooling water flows into the electrolytic chamber of the electrolytic device; an outflow line through which the cooling water that is being electrolyzed flows out from the electrolytic chamber and back to the recirculation route of the cooling water recirculation system for circulation; a conductivity probe provided along the outflow line for regulating current applied for electrolysis of the cooling water; and a conductivity device for monitoring the value of voltage and the value of current between the pair of electrodes and for calculating the conductivity of the cooling water based on the monitored values of voltage and current, whereby the conductivity device regulates the amount of discharge of the cooling water from the electrolytic chamber by regulating the duration of discharge of the cooling water based on the calculated conductivity of the cooling water, the scale is removed with the cooling water that is being discharged and the cooling water that is being electrolyzed is directed back to the recirculation route of the cooling water recirculation system for circulation. The method comprises the steps of: intaking the cooling water into an electrolytic chamber of an electrolytic device having a pair of electrodes disposed in the electrolytic chamber; applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes; controlling the electrolysis of the cooling water in the electrolytic chamber for depositing ions in the cooling water as scale on the surface of one of the pair of electrodes and for dislodging the scale deposited thereon; monitoring a value of voltage and a value of current between the pair of electrodes; calculating a conductivity of the cooling water based on the monitored values of voltage and current; and regulating an amount of discharge of the cooling water from the electrolytic chamber based on the calculated conductivity of the cooling water, whereby the scale is removed with the cooling water that is being discharged and the cooling water that is being electrolyzed is directed back to the recirculation route of the cooling water recirculation system for circulation, wherein the step of intaking the cooling water into the electrolytic chamber is carried out via an inflow line, and the cooling water that is being electrolyzed is directed back to the recirculation route of the cooling water recirculation system from the electrolytic chamber for circulation via an outflow line the method further comprising regulating the current applied for electrolysis of the cooling water by measuring a conductivity of the cooling water along the outflow line and providing an input of the measured conductivity for regulating the current applied for electrolysis based on the input of the measured conductivity wherein the step of controlling the electrolysis of the cooling water comprises regulating the amount of discharge by regulating the duration of discharge of the cooling water based on the calculated conductivity of the cooling water.