Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Biofouling control for marine heat exchangers using intermittent chlorination

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7075894

Biofouling control for marine heat exchangers is being investigated at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii (NELH) to determine the effectiveness of low levels of chlorination in the range of 25 to 70 ppb. Two series of tests were conducted using warm surface seawater: (a) intermittent chlorination for the prevention of biofilm formation, and (b) intermittent and continuous chlorination for the removal of an established biofilm from heat exchangers exposed to flowing seawater. A relationship between the rate of removal of biofilm and chlorine consumption has been established. Tests using deep, cold water showed negligible biofouling for an extended period of time, and therefore no chlorination was needed to control of biofouling. Corrosion-resistant materials (titanium and AL-6X stainless steel) were used in these experiments.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA); Hawaii Univ., Manoa (USA). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity, NSTL, MS (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
7075894
Report Number(s):
CONF-840816-11; ON: DE84011738
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English