Patent ID: 12196505

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for preventing algae growth in cooling towers. Cooling towers may be used in combination with different heat generating systems to absorb waste heat with fluid circulating through the cooling tower. For example, cooling towers may be used in combination with oil and gas refineries or other types of processing refineries, where flowing water may be circulated through the refinery to absorb waste heat from one or more processes in the refinery. The heated water may then be directed through the cooling tower to cool the water for reuse. Heat may be transferred from a heat producing system (e.g., a refinery) to water being circulated to a cooling tower, for example, using separate heat exchanger devices or by flowing the water around one or more heat producing equipment in the system. For example, water may be flowed around an outer surface of heat producing equipment (e.g., in a jacket or adjacent piping) to absorb heat from the equipment, and the heated water may then be directed to a cooling tower to eject the absorbed heat.

Algae inhibitor systems are described herein that may be fluidly connected with a cooling tower to prevent algae growth in the cooling tower. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, algae inhibitor systems may include a volume of barley straw that is held within a flow path of water being circulated to a cooling tower. As water is flowed through the barley straw, the water may decompose or breakdown the barley straw. Such decomposition of barley straw may naturally produce algae inhibitor compounds (e.g., compounds derived from oxidized lignin or humic compounds), which may then be used to prevent the growth of algae in the water circulating through a cooling tower. Using barley straw in algae inhibitor systems disclosed herein may provide a more cost effective and environmentally friendly way to prevent algae growth in water cooling systems when compared with the conventional approach of utilizing artificial chemicals.

FIG.2shows an example of a system200according to embodiments of the present disclosure utilizing an algae inhibitor system220with barley straw to prevent algae growth in a cooling tower210.

As described herein, a cooling tower210may be used to discard waste heat generated by a processing system202, such as an oil and gas refinery. Generally, a cooling tower may include an outer wall structure212, which may house one or more water and air flow channels, a heated water inlet214(e.g., which may be fitted with one or more spray nozzles for spraying the water into the cooling tower), and a cooled water outlet216(where cooled water may be discharged from the cooling tower). Different configurations of a cooling tower210may be used to cool heated water215as it flows through the cooling tower. For example, a cooling tower may include a natural draft cooling tower (where air may flow around circulating water through the cooling tower without using mechanical means to force the air flow), an induced draft cooling tower or a forced draft cooling tower (where air flow may be induced or forced through the cooling tower using mechanical means such as fans), or other type of cooling tower.

After the heated water215enters the cooling tower210through the heated water inlet214, the heated water215may be mixed with air and cooled inside the cooling tower210. The cooled water may be collected in a lower basin211of the cooling tower210(or the cooled water may be directly discharged from the cooling tower without being collected in an area of the cooling tower). Cooled water217from the cooling tower210may be discharged from the cooled water outlet216to be recirculated back to the processing system202to absorb more heat.

As heated water is directed through the cooling tower, water may be lost from the system through evaporation. Water lost by the cooling process may be replaced from a replacement water source203(e.g., a water tanker fluidly connected to the cooling tower).

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an algae inhibitor system220having barley straw242,252positioned within a water flow path may be fluidly connected to the cooling tower210. In some embodiments, cooled water217from the cooling tower210may be directed to the algae inhibitor system220prior to being recirculated back to the processing system202(e.g., through a series of connected flowlines). In some embodiments, the algae inhibitor system220may be fluidly connected to the lower basin211of the cooling tower210(where cooled water may be collected in the cooling tower), and cooled water from the cooling tower210may be continuously circulated to the algae inhibitor system220while some of the cooled water217is recirculated back to the processing system202.

The algae inhibitor system220may be fluidly connected to the cooling tower210by a treatment inlet line213, which may include one or more valves or flow control devices for controlling the flow of water from the cooling tower210to the algae inhibitor system220. Water from the cooling tower210may be flowed through the treatment inlet line213to a water inlet221of the algae inhibitor system220. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the algae inhibitor system220may have a single water inlet221, where water may be directed through different flowlines to flow to different water tanks240,250after entering the single water inlet221. In some embodiments, an algae inhibitor system may include multiple water inlets, for example, to allow connection to multiple cooling towers. In some embodiments, separate flowlines may be used to connect different water tanks240,250in the algae inhibitor system220directly to the cooling tower210(without flowing water through a shared treatment inlet line). The water inlet221may be connected to a treatment inlet line213using a standardized connection fitting (e.g., a clamp connection or a threaded connection).

Water may be pumped from the water inlet221to at least one water tank240,250using at least one pump. For example, a primary pump222and a standby pump223may be fluidly connected in parallel along an inlet line fluidly connecting the water inlet221to the water tanks. The standby pump223may act as a backup pump to the primary pump222for when the primary pump222is down. to pump water from the water inlet221to the water tank(s). While the pumps222,223are shown inFIG.2as being positioned along inlet lines between the water tanks240,250and the water inlet221, other embodiments may utilize pumps in other locations to pump water through the algae inhibitor system220. For example, in some embodiments, one or more pumps may be fluidly connected along other flowlines in the algae inhibitor system220or along flowlines connecting the algae inhibitor system220to the cooling tower210.

When the algae inhibitor system220is connected to the cooling tower210, water from the cooling tower210(e.g., cooled water collected in a lower basin211of the cooling tower210) may be directed to the algae inhibitor system220and flowed through barley straw in the algae inhibitor system220. As water contacts and soaks the barley straw (e.g.,242or252) in the algae inhibitor system220, algae inhibitor compounds naturally forming from the decomposition of the barley straw in water may be collected by the water and circulated back to the cooling tower210to prevent algae growth in the cooling tower210.

Algae inhibitor systems220according to embodiments of the present disclosure may generally include at least one water tank (e.g.,240,250), barley straw (e.g.,242,252) held in one or more water tanks, and a series of connected flowlines and valves used to selectively flow water from the cooling tower210to a water tank. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a water tank240,250may be a container capable of holding an amount of water and having both a tank inlet and a tank outlet, such that a flow path may be formed through the container between the tank inlet and the tank outlet. The size of a water tank240,250may be selected based on, for example, the amount of water that is to be treated (e.g., the amount of water being flowed from a cooling tower to the water tank), the number of additional water tanks being used in the algae inhibitor system220to treat water from a cooling tower, the size of the treatment location (the amount of room around the cooling tower), and when the algae inhibitor system is assembled to a skid230(discussed more below), the size of the skid230.

Barley straw may be held inside of the water tank240,250using a porous carrier, such as a net, a fabric bag, a flexible material having a plurality of holes small enough to allow flowing water to pass through without barley straw passing through (i.e., to strain the barley straw from the passing water), or a rigid structure having a plurality of holes to strain the barley straw from the passing water. A porous carrier containing barley straw242,252may be connected inside the water tank240,250, such that the porous carrier and barley straw contacts water flowing along the flow path formed between the tank inlet and the tank outlet. In such manner, water flowing through the water tank240,250may contact and soak the barley straw242,252.

The quantity of barley straw used to provide a sufficient amount of naturally produced algae growth inhibitor compounds to treat a cooling tower may depend on the surface area of the water being treated, e.g., the amount of water in the water tank and the size of the water tank in which the barley straw will be placed. The water tank surface area may, in turn, be designed to have a size proportional to how much water is needed in the cooling tower. Thus, the amount of barley straw used may be calculated based on the water-contacting surface area being treated.

For example,FIG.5shows an example of a water tank500having a tank inlet501and a tank outlet502. The water tank500may be designed to contain an amount of water503, and a porous carrier504containing barley straw may be designed to be held at the water line505. The tank-contacting surface area506of the water503may be used to select the amount of barley straw held in the porous carrier504. In some embodiments, the amount of barley straw selected to be held in the water tank500may range between 100 to 300 pounds for each acre of the tank-contacting surface area506of the water in the water tank500in which the barley straw is held. In some embodiments, the amount of barley straw used to treat a water tank may be selected based on the total interior surface area of the water tank, where the amount of barley straw contained may range between 100 to 300 pounds per acre of total interior surface area of the water tank. For example, a circular tank having a total interior surface area of about 0.02 acres may have an amount of barley straw ranging from 2 to 6 pounds held in the water tank for treating water in the water tank. In some embodiments, multiple water tanks containing barley straw may be fluidly connected to a single cooling tower, where a total amount of barley straw in the multiple water tanks may be designed to range between 100 to 300 pounds per acre of total surface area in the multiple water tanks.

As water is flowed through barley straw in the algae inhibitor system220, the barley straw decomposes. After an amount of time passes, or after an amount of barley straw decomposes, water flow may be stopped to the water tank holding the decomposed barley straw to remove what is left of the decomposed barley straw and provide new barley straw in the water tank.

For example, in the system shown inFIG.2, two water tanks, including a first water tank240and a second water tank250may be fluidly connected to the cooling tower210via a plurality of flowlines (e.g., inlet lines241,251and a treatment inlet line213fluidly connecting the cooling tower210to the algae inhibitor system220). In other embodiments, one or more than two water tanks may be used in an algae inhibitor system. In algae inhibitor systems having one water tank, water flow to the single water tank may be stopped and started (e.g., using one or more valves positioned along flowlines to and from the water tank) to replace barley straw within the water tank and then continue barley straw water treatment. However, by using two or more water tanks fluidly connected to the cooling tower210, water flow from the cooling tower210may be alternated to different water tanks to allow for barley straw to be replaced in shut-off water tank(s). In such manner, continuous water treatment may be provided by at least one water tank containing barley straw, while another water tank is down (e.g., to replace barley straw therein, maintenance, or other down time).

Water flow may be alternated to different water tanks (e.g.,240,250) by selectively operating valves along the flowlines to and from the water tanks to stop and start water flow to the different water tanks. Valves may be selectively opened and closed, either manually or automatically, to switch water flow to different water tanks.

In some embodiments, a programmable logic controller (PLC)260may be in communication with valves in the algae inhibitor system220(e.g., at least one inlet valve243,253and at least one outlet valve244,254to the first water tank240and the second water tank250) to operate the valves and thus control fluid flow to and from the water tanks240,250. The PLC260may include memory storing input data and control programs, an input and output interface, a communications interface to receive and transmit data on communication networks from/to remote PLCs (e.g., in valves), a power supply, and a processor, which may interpret inputs, execute the control programs, and send output signals. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a PLC260may be programmed to automatically switch water flow to different water tanks. For example, in the embodiment shown inFIG.2, the PLC260may be programmed to open and close a plurality of valves243,253,244,254controlling fluid flow to and from the first water tank240and the second water tank250to alternate flowing water from the cooling tower210to the first water tank240and from the cooling tower210to the second water tank250.

After water is flowed through barley straw242,252in one or more water tanks240,250, the treated water may exit the water tank240,250through a tank exit and flow through at least one outlet line245,255,224to a water outlet225. In the embodiment shown, a first outlet valve244may be positioned along a first outlet line245from the first water tank240to control the flow of water exiting the first water tank240, and a second outlet valve254may be positioned along a second outlet line255from the second water tank250to control the flow of water exiting the second water tank250. The first and second outlet lines245,255may be fluidly connected to the water outlet225via a shared outlet line224, or outlet lines from different tanks may have separate system water outlets. A algae inhibitor system water outlet225may be fluidly connected to the cooling tower210via a treatment outlet line218. In the embodiment shown, a single treatment outlet line218fluidly connects a single water outlet225to a single cooling tower210. In other embodiments, multiple treatment outlet lines and/or multiple water outlets may be used to fluidly connect one or more water tanks in an algae inhibitor system to one or more cooling towers. The water outlet225may be connected to the treatment outlet line218via a standardized connection fitting (e.g., a clamp connection or a threaded connection).

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an algae inhibitor system220may be provided on a skid230, where the algae inhibitor system220and skid230assembly may be referred to herein as an algae inhibitor skid. By providing an algae inhibitor system according to embodiments of the present disclosure on a skid230, the algae inhibitor system may be movable and more easily connected to a cooling tower210to treat the water flowing through the cooling tower210. Different configurations of an algae inhibitor system may be provided on a skid for use with different cooling tower systems.

For example,FIG.3shows an example of an algae inhibitor skid300according to embodiments of the present disclosure having an algae inhibitor system provided on a skid310. The skid310may include a base, which may support the equipment of the algae inhibitor system. The base of the skid310may be supported by a plurality of legs or wheels311such that the base may be spaced from the ground, or the base may be provided directly on the ground without legs or wheels. In some embodiments, the skid310may further include one or more support structures312(e.g., arms, brackets, tank stands, etc.) extending from the opposite side of the base from the wheels311, where the support structures312may be used to connect or support equipment in the algae inhibitor system to the base of the skid310.

An algae inhibitor skid may be designed to be transportable, e.g., as a trailer having wheels or as a unit that may be mounted on a trailer. In some embodiments, an algae inhibitor skid300may be designed to have dimensions that are compliant with standard semi-trailer dimensions set by the governing body in which the algae inhibitor skid is being used. For example, an algae inhibitor skid may have a length ranging from about 48 to 53 feet, a width of about 8.5 feet or less, and a height313of about 13.5 feet or less.

The algae inhibitor system may include a first water tank320held on the skid310. The first water tank320may have a porous carrier322containing barley straw held across an internal dimension of the first water tank320. The porous carrier322(e.g., a net) may be held within the first water tank320in different ways to have the porous carrier322(and barley straw) contact the water303in the first water tank320. For example, the porous carrier322containing barley straw may be connected within the first water tank320to traverse a flow path between a first tank inlet321and a first tank outlet323, such that water302may flow from the first tank inlet321through the porous carrier322and barley straw to the first tank outlet323. In some embodiments, the first water tank320may have a tank inlet321located at a top side of the first water tank, above the barley straw. At least one water distribution nozzle may be fluidly connected to or provided at the first tank inlet321, which may be used to spray incoming water into the first water tank320over the barley straw.

In other embodiments, such as shown inFIG.5, water503may be pumped into a tank inlet501to fill water503into the water tank500, such that the tank inlet501and a tank outlet502may be positioned below the water line505of the water503. In such embodiments, an amount of water503may be filled in the tank500and a porous carrier504containing barley straw may be held in the tank500such that the barley straw contacts the water503.

Referring again toFIG.3, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, after water302enters the first water tank320and flows through the porous carrier322and barley straw, the water302may be collected in the first water tank320to act as a first water supply303, which may eventually be directed to a cooling tower. The porous carrier322may be held within the first water tank320at a location to contact the anticipated water line of the first water supply303collected in the first water tank320. In some embodiments, the flow rate of water302entering and exiting the first water tank320may be controlled to keep the water line of the first water supply303collected in the first water tank320at or above the porous carrier322, such that barley straw within the porous carrier322is in continuous contact with the first water supply303.

In some embodiments, the porous carrier322may be releasably connected via at least two connection points to an internal wall of the first water tank320, for example, using hooks, brackets, or other connection mechanism. In some embodiments, a porous carrier322containing barley straw may be floated along the water line of water in the first water tank320(e.g., using buoyant material to form the porous carrier). In some embodiments, a strainer324may be held within the first water tank320between the barley straw and the first water supply303. The strainer324may be fixedly connected inside the first water tank320(e.g., by welding) or may be removably connected inside the first water tank320. The strainer324may be a rigid piece of material having multiple holes formed through the strainer324, which may allow water to pass through and prevent barley straw from passing through. The strainer324may be positioned within the first water tank320at or below the anticipated water line of the first water supply303, e.g., between the anticipated water line and 5 inches or more below the anticipated water line.

In some embodiments, a porous carrier322containing barley straw may be held on a strainer324(e.g., by laying the porous carrier322on the strainer324) in the first water tank320. By using a porous carrier322to hold barley straw in combination with a strainer324, the porous carrier322may be used to easily remove and replace the barley straw after decomposition while the strainer324may be used to catch any barley straw that escapes from the porous carrier322. For example, a porous carrier322may be a bag holding barley straw, where the bag of barley straw may be placed on the strainer324to treat the water303and then replaced with a new bag of barley straw after the previous bag of barley straw was used and decayed to treat the water303. In some embodiments, the filter size of the strainer324may be smaller than the filter size of the porous carrier322, such that the strainer324may be used to catch smaller pieces of barley straw (e.g., pieces of partially decomposed barley straw) that fall through the porous carrier322. In some embodiments, a first water tank320may be provided with a porous carrier322holding barley straw without a strainer324. In some embodiments, a first water tank may have barley straw held by a strainer324without the use of a porous carrier322.

The algae inhibitor system may also include a water inlet330and a water outlet331provided on the skid330and fluidly connected to the first water tank320. The water inlet330and water outlet331may be provided for connecting the algae inhibitor system to one or more cooling towers to treat water in the cooling tower(s). The water inlet330may be fluidly connected to the first tank inlet321via at least one flowline, e.g., a first inlet line332and a pump line333. At least one pump (e.g., a primary pump334and a standby pump335) may be provided along the pump line333to pump water from the water inlet330to the first tank inlet321. Additionally, at least one valve336or other flow control device may be provided along a flowline between the water inlet330and the first tank inlet321to control fluid flow to the first water tank320.

The water outlet331may be fluidly connected to the first tank outlet323via at least one flowline, e.g., a first outlet line338. Additionally, at least one valve339or other flow control device may be provided along a flowline between the water outlet331and the first tank outlet323to control fluid flow from the first water tank320to the water outlet331. Pumping pressure from an inlet line may be used to move water through the entire algae inhibitor system, or a pump may be provided along an outlet line (e.g.,338).

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for continuously inhibiting algae growth in a water system may include pumping water302, by the primary pump334, from the water inlet330on the algae inhibitor skid300to the first water tank320. The water302may be injected into the first water tank320to contact the porous carrier322containing barley straw. In some embodiments, the water302may be injected above the porous carrier322to fall through the porous carrier322and barley straw contained therein via gravity, where the water may be collected in a lower portion of the first water tank320to be used as a first water supply303of barley straw-treated water. In some embodiments, the water302may be injected into the first water tank320from below an anticipated water line (e.g., from the lower portion of the first water tank320) in an amount to keep the water line in contact with the barley straw in the porous carrier322. Treated water from the first water supply303may then be pumped from the first water tank320to exit the water outlet331and to be used in a cooling tower.

Algae inhibitor skids300according to embodiments of the present disclosure may also include a second water tank340held on the skid310. For example, the second water tank340may be held on the skid310using one or more brackets or a tank stand. At least one flowline, e.g., including second inlet line342and pump line333, may fluidly connect a second tank inlet341of the second water tank340to the water inlet330. Additionally, at least one valve346or other flow control device may be provided along a flowline between the water inlet330and the second tank inlet341to control fluid flow to the second water tank340.

A second outlet line348may fluidly connect a second tank outlet343of the second water tank340to the water outlet331. At least one valve349or other flow control device may be provided along a flowline between the water outlet331and the second tank outlet343to control fluid flow exiting the second water tank340.

In some embodiments, the algae inhibitor skid300may also have a PLC350in communication with one or more valves in the algae inhibitor system. The PLC350may be programmed to operate the valve(s) to control the flow of water to and from the first water tank320and the second water tank340.

While an example configuration for fluidly connecting the first water tank320and the second water tank340to a system inlet and outlet is shown inFIG.3, algae inhibitor skid300configurations are not so limited. For example, a plurality of valves for controlling fluid flow to and from the first water tank320and the second water tank340may be positioned in other locations along the first outlet line338, the first inlet line332, the second outlet line348, and the second inlet line342. Additionally, at least one pump may be fluidly connected to at least one of the first outlet line338, the first inlet line332, the second outlet line348, and the second inlet line342in a different arrangement than shown inFIG.3.

Further, the water inlet330and water outlet331are shown inFIG.3as being on the same side of the skid310. The water inlet330may act as the sole inlet to the entire algae inhibitor system held on the skid310, and the water outlet331may act as the sole outlet to the entire algae inhibitor system held on the skid310. By providing the water inlet330and the water outlet331on the same side of the skid310, a simplified connection and set-up of the algae inhibitor skid300to a cooling tower may be provided. However, in some embodiments, a water inlet330and water outlet331may be mounted on different sides of a skid. In some embodiments, more than one water inlet and/or more than one water outlet may be provided on a skid. In such embodiments, multiple water inlets and/or multiple water outlets may be used to connect the algae inhibitor skid to more than one cooling tower.

Additionally, by providing two or more water tanks (e.g., first water tank320, second water tank340, and optionally, additional water tanks) in an algae inhibitor system according to embodiments of the present disclosure, water may be continuously treated by the algae inhibitor system, even when one of the water tanks is down (e.g., to replace barley straw in the water tank, for maintenance, or for down-time).

For example, methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure for continuously inhibiting algae growth may include continuously pumping water from a cooling tower to at least one water tank containing barley straw in an algae inhibitor skid to treat the water circulating between the cooling tower and the barley-containing water tank. The water circulation path between the cooling tower and algae inhibitor skid may be alternated to switch the water flow to different barley-containing water tanks, such that barley may be replaced in one or more water tanks while maintaining continuous water circulation and treatment between the cooling tower and algae inhibitor skid.

FIG.4shows an example of a method400according to embodiments of the present disclosure for continuously inhibiting algae growth in a cooling tower. Certain steps in the method400ofFIG.4may be performed in a different order than shown or may be performed simultaneous. Additionally, certain steps in the method400ofFIG.4may be omitted or repeated.

As shown in step401of the method400, water may be continuously circulated between a cooling tower and a first water tank containing barley straw in an algae inhibitor system according to embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, water may be pumped from a cooling tower, through a water inlet on an algae inhibitor skid, and to a first water tank held on the skid, where the first water tank contains barley straw held by a porous carrier within the first water tank. The water may be injected into the first water tank and flowed around the porous carrier and barley straw to treat the water. The treated water may be collected in a portion of the first water tank as a first water supply. Treated water from the first water supply may be pumped from the first water tank back to the cooling tower. In such manner, water may be continuously circulated between a cooling tower and a first water tank in an algae inhibitor skid to be continuously treated with barley straw.

Water may be continuously circulated between a cooling tower and a first water tank containing barley straw for a first period of time, which may be a preselected amount of time, or may be based on performance of the treatment system. For example, the barley straw in the first water tank may be monitored to determine an amount of decomposition in the barley straw as water is flowed around it, e.g., by monitoring an amount of naturally produced algae growth inhibitor compounds from the barley straw, where a decrease in the amount of naturally produced algae growth inhibitor compounds may indicate decomposition of the barley straw. When the barley straw has a certain amount of decomposition (or when a decrease in naturally produced algae growth inhibitor compounds is detected), the first period of time for circulating water through the first water tank may be ended.

Generally, it has been observed that barley straw decays upon constant contact with water for about 6 months. Thus, according to some embodiments, water may be continuously circulated between a cooling tower and a first water tank containing barley straw for a first period of time of 6 months. In some embodiments, water may be continuously circulated between a cooling tower and a first water tank containing barley straw for a first period of time ranging from a lower limit selected from 1 month, 2 months, or 3 months to an upper limit of 6 months, 7 months, or 9 months.

As shown in step402, after the first period of time of circulating water between the cooling tower and the first water tank, the flow of water to the first water tank may be stopped, and water may be continuously circulated between the cooling tower and a second water tank containing barley straw in the algae inhibitor system for a second period of time.

For example, new barley straw may be added into a porous carrier held with the second water tank. After the first period of time (e.g., when the barley straw in the first water tank has decayed), water flow to the first tank may be stopped, and the water may be redirected from the cooling tower to the second water tank. While water is continuously circulating between the cooling tower and the second water tank, the barley straw from the first water tank may be removed and replaced with new barley straw, as shown in step403. As shown in step404, after circulating the water between the cooling tower and the second water tank for the second period of time, the flow of water to the second water tank may be stopped, and water may be continuously circulated between the cooling tower and the first water tank containing new barley straw. While water is continuously circulating between the cooling tower and the first water tank, the barley straw from the second water tank may be removed and replaced with new barley straw, as shown in step405.

In such manner, methods for continuously inhibiting algae growth may include alternating flowing water to a first water tank to be treated to flowing the water to a second water tank to be treated, where new barley straw may be added to the first water tank or the second water tank while the water is flowing to the other of the first water tank or the second water tank. In some embodiments, water circulation may be altered between more than two water tanks (e.g., three or more water tanks), depending on the size and amount of cooling towers being serviced.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, water circulation from a cooling tower to different water tanks containing barley straw may be altered by automatically or manually switching operations of valves along the inlet and outlet flowlines to the different water tanks. For example, in some embodiments, a PLC may be used to open and close a plurality of valves controlling fluid flow to and from the different water tanks.

For example, in an algae inhibitor system having a first water tank and a second water tank fluidly connected to a cooling tower, a PLC may be used to open a second inlet valve to the second water tank and close a first inlet valve to the first water tank in order to alternate the flow of water from flowing to the first water tank to flowing to the second water tank (e.g., to switch out the barley straw in the first water tank). Similarly, the PLC may be used to open the first inlet valve to the first water tank and close the second inlet valve to the second water tank in order to alternate the flow of water from flowing to the second water tank to flowing to the first water tank (e.g., to switch out the barley straw in the second water tank).

A PLC may also be used to open and close outlet valves positioned along outlet flowlines from different water tanks when alternating the flow of water to the different water tanks. For example, a method of alternating water flow from a first water tank containing decomposed barley straw to a second water tank containing new barley straw may include using a PLC to close a first inlet valve positioned along a first inlet line to the first water tank, open a second inlet valve positioned along a second inlet line to the second water tank, close a first outlet valve fluidly connected to a first outlet of the first water tank, and open a second outlet valve fluidly connected to a second outlet of the second water tank. The PLC may open and close the inlet and outlet valves simultaneously, sequentially to first close circulation through the first water tank and then open circulation through the second water tank, or sequentially to first open circulation through the second water tank and then close circulation through the first water tank.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a PLC may be programmed to alternate the flow of the water between different water tanks every 6 months (or other period of time) to automate the continuous circulation and treatment of water being flowed to a cooling tower while decomposed barley straw in one water tank is replaced with new barley straw. The PLC may also be programmed to allow human intervention if the schedule for water tank alternation is to be interrupted or changed.

Systems and methods described herein provide an improved way to prevent algae growth in cooling towers. For example, systems described herein may provide enough algae inhibitors naturally produced from barley straw to prevent algae growth in a cooling tower while also being able to fit within a skid. By providing algae inhibitor systems as a skid assembly, algae inhibitor systems according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be easily connected with different cooling tower systems and transported between different locations.

Additionally, by using barley straw systems described herein to prevent algae growth in cooling towers, the need for artificial chemicals (which are more expensive when compared to barley straw) may be eliminated, such that no artificial chemicals for preventing algae growth may be added to a cooling tower system. Thus, using methods and systems according to embodiments of the present disclosure may reduce the costs for algae control in cooling towers.

Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims.