A novel electro-kinetic technique for water treatment in cooling

Fouling is one of the most common and significant problems encountered in cooling towers. Many researches have been done to derive effective methods in the reduction of fouling in cooling towers. However, the use of an electric field through water channels has not been explored thoroughly. To explore the use of electric field across water channel to reduce fouling in cooling towers, a water running system is set up to simulate the operating conditions of the cooling towers in air-conditioning systems. The running water system consists of artificially hardened water made of Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) and Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3), where we will get to examine the effects of voltage variation on Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3). In this experiment setup, voltage and duration are to be varied. Artificially hardened water will flow then through a sample holder where aluminium sheets are placed in it. These tested samples will then be collected and examined. Experimental results showed that the application of electric field across the water channel has some effects on the artificially hardened water in the system. The change in voltage across the water channel will affect the solubility of CaCO3. In return, it will cause a change in percentage weight increase of the tested aluminium sheet samples within a fixed duration. These experimental results brought insights and also the potential of using electric field as an electro-kinetic method for water treatment to reduce the fouling effects of CaCO3 in cooling tower of air-conditioning systems.Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering