US2008029252A1PendingUtilityA1

Closed loop fluid treatment system

41
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Aug 1, 2006Filed: Jul 30, 2007Published: Feb 7, 2008
Est. expiryAug 1, 2026(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:William F. Freije, IiiIan Malcolm Graham
F28F 19/00C02F 1/4602C02F 2303/22C02F 1/481B03C 1/286C02F 1/46176C02F 2201/483C02F 2209/40C02F 2209/22F28F 19/004C02F 2303/16F24D 19/0092C02F 2201/46125C02F 2101/203C02F 1/283F28F 19/01C02F 2103/023C02F 1/006C02F 1/008C02F 1/444C02F 2301/043C02F 1/505
41
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Claims

Abstract

A plurality of fluid treatment devices are disclosed to treat a recirculating fluid of a closed loop heat exchange system. A fluid treatment device may include a sacrificial metallic substance. A fluid treatment device may include a filtering member. A fluid treatment device may include an electronic treatment device.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A method for treating a recirculating fluid of a closed loop heat exchange system, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing a first quantity of a sacrificial metallic substance in a fluid path of the recirculating fluid of the closed loop heat exchange system, the presence of the sacrificial metallic substance resulting in a reduction in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the recirculating fluid;   filtering the recirculating fluid to remove particulate matter; and   passing the recirculating fluid through an electrical treatment device which treats the recirculating fluid to reduce the formation of scale on the closed loop heat exchange system.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of passing the recirculating fluid through an electrical treatment device includes the steps of:
 contacting the recirculating fluid with a first electrode and a second electrode; and   providing a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the potential difference is an alternating potential difference. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of passing the recirculating fluid through an electrical treatment device includes the step of passing the recirculating fluid through a loop carrying an electrical current. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the electrical current is an alternating electrical current. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of placing a first quantity of a sacrificial metallic substance in a fluid path of the recirculating fluid of the closed loop heat exchange system includes the steps of:
 providing a holder;   placing the first quantity of the sacrificial metallic substance in the holder; and   passing the recirculating fluid through the holder.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first quantity of sacrificial metallic substance includes aluminum. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of filtering the recirculating fluid to remove particulate matter, includes the steps of:
 providing a loose filtering media in a holder;   providing a plurality of magnets in the holder for attracting metallic particles in the particulate matter; and   passing the recirculating fluid through the holder.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of washing the loose filtering media to remove the particulate matter deposited in the loose filtering media or attracted to the plurality of magnets. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of filtering the recirculating fluid to remove particulate matter, includes the steps of:
 providing a filtering media in a holder, the filtering media being a membrane; and   passing the recirculating fluid through the membrane, the membrane being configured to prevent particulate matter of at least a first size from passing through the membrane.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the holder is at least one filter bag unit and the membrane is at least one filter bag. 
     
     
         12 . A system for treating a recirculating fluid of a closed loop heat exchange system, the system comprising:
 a holder supporting a first quantity of a sacrificial metallic substance for interaction with the recirculating fluid, the presence of the sacrificial metallic substance resulting in a reduction in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the recirculating fluid;   an electrical treatment device which treats the recirculating fluid to reduce the formation of scale on the closed loop heat exchange system, the electrical treatment device including a wire wrapped around a portion of the fluid path of the recirculating fluid and a control unit which produces an electrical current in the wire, wherein the recirculating fluid flows through the holder and the electrical treatment device.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a filtering media which filters particulate matter from the recirculating fluid, wherein the recirculating fluid flows through the holder, the filtering media, and the electrical treatment device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the holder and the filtering media are positioned within a second holder, the recirculating fluid passing through both the holder and the second holder. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the filtering media is supported in a second holder, the filtering media including a membrane configured to prevent particulate matter of at least a first size from passing through the membrane. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second holder is at least one filter bag unit and the membrane is at least one filter bag. 
     
     
         17 . A system for treating a recirculating fluid of a closed loop heat exchange system, the system comprising:
 a holder supporting a first quantity of a sacrificial metallic substance for interaction with the recirculating fluid, the presence of the sacrificial metallic substance resulting in a reduction in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the recirculating fluid;   an electrical treatment device which treats the recirculating fluid to reduce the formation of scale on the closed loop heat exchange system, the electrical treatment device including at least a first electrode and a second electrode in direct contact with the recirculating fluid and a control unit which provides a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a filtering media which filters particulate matter from the recirculating fluid, wherein the recirculating fluid flows through the holder, the filtering media, and the electrical treatment device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the holder and the filtering media are positioned within a second holder, the recirculating fluid passing through both the holder and the second holder. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the filtering media is supported in a second holder, the filtering media including a membrane configured to prevent particulate matter of at least a first size from passing through the membrane. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the second holder is at least one filter bag unit and the membrane is at least one filter bag. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the control unit provides an alternating potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         23 . A method for treating a closed loop heat exchange system, the method comprising the steps of:
 purging a first recirculating fluid from the closed loop heat exchange system, the recirculating fluid including a chemical treatment;   introducing a second recirculating fluid into the closed loop heat exchange system; and   placing a first quantity of a sacrificial metallic substance in a fluid path of the second recirculating fluid, the presence of the sacrificial metallic substance resulting in a level of dissolved oxygen in the second recirculating fluid being about 1 part per million.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of at a spaced apart time placing a second quantity of the sacrificial metallic substance in the fluid path of the second recirculating fluid to replenish a reduction in the first quantity of the sacrificial metallic substance. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the step of purging a first recirculating fluid includes the step of draining the first recirculating fluid from the closed loop heat exchange system and wherein the second recirculating fluid is introduced simultaneously. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the step of placing a first quantity of a sacrificial metallic substance in a fluid path of the second recirculating fluid includes the steps of:
 coupling a fluid treatment device to a first fluid connection of a treatment loop of the closed loop heat exchange system and a second fluid connection of the treatment loop of the closed loop heat exchange system, the treatment loop of the closed loop heat exchange system being in parallel with a main loop of the closed loop heat exchange system, the fluid treatment device including an interior having a treatment fluid path in fluid communication with the first fluid connection of the treatment loop to receive the second recirculating fluid and with the second connection of the treatment loop to return the second recirculating fluid; and   placing the sacrificial metallic substance in the interior of the fluid treatment device such that the second recirculating fluid flowing in the treatment fluid path contacts the sacrificial metallic substance.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the fluid treatment device includes a first portion and a second portion separatable from the first portion, the second portion being coupled to the first fluid connection and the second fluid connection. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the step of placing the sacrificial metallic substance in the interior of the fluid treatment device includes the steps of:
 separating the second portion from the first portion; and   placing the sacrificial metallic substance in a holder of the fluid treatment device.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the holder is coupled to the second portion and the step of placing the sacrificial metallic substance in a holder includes the steps of:
 opening a cover of the holder relative to a body portion of the holder;   placing the sacrificial metallic substance within an interior of the body portion of the holder; and   closing the cover of the holder relative to the body portion of the holder.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the cover of the holder includes openings to permit the second recirculating fluid to pass there through. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claims 23 , further comprising the step of placing a filtering media in the fluid path of the second recirculating fluid. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the filtering media is at least one filter bag supported in at least one filter bag unit. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claims 26 , further comprising the steps of:
 placing a filtering media in the fluid path of the second recirculating fluid; and   placing at least one magnetic substance in the interior of the fluid treatment device, the at least one magnetic substance attracting metallic particles in the second recirculating fluid.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the metallic particles are removed from the interior of the fluid treatment device by a backwashing operation comprising the steps of:
 preventing the flow of the second recirculating fluid into the treatment fluid path from the first fluid connection of the treatment loop; and   opening a waste fluid path from the interior of the fluid treatment device, the waste fluid path being at a lower pressure than the second connection to the treatment loop resulting in the second recirculating fluid flowing in the second connection through the filtering media in the interior of the fluid treatment device and out through the waste fluid path, the fluid flowing out the waste fluid path including the metallic particles.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the sacrificial metallic substance is aluminum. 
     
     
         36 . A method for treating a recirculating fluid of a closed loop heat exchange system, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing a first quantity of a sacrificial metallic substance in a fluid path of the recirculating fluid of the closed loop heat exchange system, the presence of the sacrificial metallic substance resulting in a reduction in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the recirculating fluid to a level of about 1 part per million; and   at a spaced apart time placing a second quantity of the sacrificial metallic substance in the fluid path of the recirculating fluid to replenish a reduction in the first quantity of the sacrificial metallic substance in the fluid path.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the step of placing a first quantity of a sacrificial metallic substance in a fluid path of the recirculating fluid includes the steps of:
 coupling a fluid treatment device to a first fluid connection of a treatment loop of the closed loop heat exchange system and a second fluid connection of the treatment loop of the closed loop heat exchange system, the treatment loop of the closed loop heat exchange system being in parallel with a main loop of the closed loop heat exchange system, the fluid treatment device including an interior having a treatment fluid path in fluid communication with the first fluid connection of the treatment loop to receive the recirculating fluid and with the second connection of the treatment loop to return the recirculating fluid; and   placing the sacrificial metallic substance in the interior of the fluid treatment device such that the recirculating fluid flowing in the treatment fluid path contacts the sacrificial metallic substance.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the fluid treatment device includes a first portion and a second portion separatable from the first portion, the second portion being coupled to the first fluid connection and the second fluid connection. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the step of placing the sacrificial metallic substance in the interior of the fluid treatment device includes the steps of:
 separating the second portion from the first portion; and   placing the sacrificial metallic substance in a holder of fluid treatment device.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claims 36 , further comprising the step of placing a filtering media in the fluid path of the recirculating fluid. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the filtering media is at least one filter bag supported in at least one filter bag unit. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising the step of placing at least one magnetic substance in the interior of the fluid treatment device, the at least one magnetic substance attracting metallic particles in the second recirculating fluid. 
     
     
         43 . A method of treating a recirculating fluid of a closed loop heat exchange system, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a fluid treatment device including a housing and a treatment fluid path at least within the housing;   making a first connection to the treatment fluid path of the fluid treatment device, the first connection being in fluid communication with the closed loop heat exchange system to receive the recirculating fluid from the closed loop heat exchange system;   making a second connection to the treatment fluid path of the fluid treatment device, the second connection being in fluid communication with the closed loop heat exchange system to return the recirculating fluid to the closed loop heat exchange system;   placing a sacrificial metallic substance in the treatment fluid path, the presence of the sacrificial metallic substance in the treatment fluid path resulting in a reduction in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the recirculating fluid; and   making a third connection to the treatment fluid path of the fluid treatment device, the third connection being in fluid communication with a waste fluid path, wherein at least the first connection and the third connection are configured in an open configuration wherein the recirculating fluid is communicated and a closed configuration wherein the recirculating fluid is not communicated, the fluid treatment device being in a treatment operation when the first connection is in the open configuration and the third connection is in the closed configuration and the fluid treatment device being in a backwashing operation when the first connection is in the closed configuration and the third connection is in the open configuration.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the first connection and the third connection are made through a three-way valve coupled to the fluid treatment device, the three way valve having a first orientation wherein the first connection is in fluid communication with the treatment path of the fluid treatment device and the third connection is not in fluid communication with the treatment path of the fluid treatment device and a second orientation wherein the first connection is not in fluid communication with the treatment path of the fluid treatment device and the third connection is in fluid communication with the treatment path of the fluid treatment device. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the fluid treatment device includes a first portion and a second portion separatable from the first portion, the second portion including the first connection, the second connection, and the third connection. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the step of placing the sacrificial metallic substance in the interior of the fluid treatment device includes the steps of:
 separating the second portion from the first portion; and   placing the sacrificial metallic substance in a holder of fluid treatment device.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claims 43 , further comprising the step of placing a filtering media in the fluid path of the recirculating fluid. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the filtering media is at least one filter bag supported in at least one filter bag unit. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claims 43 , further comprising the steps of:
 placing a filtering media in the fluid path of the recirculating fluid; and   placing at least one magnetic substance in the interior of the fluid treatment device, the at least one magnetic substance attracting metallic particles in the second recirculating fluid.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising the step of placing an anti-bacterial substance to reduce the amount of bacteria in the recirculating fluid in the fluid treatment path of the fluid treatment device. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the anti-bacterial substance includes at least one of copper and silver. 
     
     
         52 . An apparatus for treating a recirculating fluid of a closed loop heat exchange system, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing having a treatment fluid path, a fluid inlet coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the treatment fluid path of the housing and being adapted to couple to the fluid path of the closed loop heat exchange system to receive the recirculating fluid from the closed loop heat exchange system, and a fluid outlet coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the treatment fluid path of the housing and being adapted to couple to the fluid path of the closed loop heat exchange system to return the recirculating fluid to the closed loop heat exchange system;   a holder supported by the housing and positioned in the treatment fluid path; and   a sacrificial metallic substance held by the holder, the sacrificial metallic substance being in direct contact with the recirculating fluid flowing in the treatment fluid path, wherein the holder is accessible to add a replenishment of the sacrificial metallic substance without physically disconnecting the housing from the fluid path of the closed loop heat exchanger system.   
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , further comprising a filter media disposed in the treatment fluid path. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , further comprising a plurality of magnets positioned in the treatment fluid path, the magnets attracting metallic particles in the recirculating fluid. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , further comprising a filter media disposed in the treatment fluid path, the filter media being disposed about the plurality of magnets. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  55 , wherein the plurality of magnets are arranged such that at least a first magnet and a second magnet are spaced apart, the plurality of magnets being coupled to a magnet holder. 
     
     
         57 . A method for treating a recirculating fluid of a closed loop heat exchange system, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing a first quantity of a sacrificial metallic substance in a fluid path of the recirculating fluid of the closed loop heat exchange system, the presence of the sacrificial metallic substance resulting in a reduction in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the recirculating fluid;   filtering the recirculating fluid to remove particulate matter; and   automatically switching between a treatment operation and a backwashing operation, during the treatment operation passing the recirculating fluid by the sacrificial metallic substance and filtering the recirculating fluid and during the backwashing operation using the recirculating fluid to dispose of the particulate matter removed during the step of filtering the recirculating fluid during the treatment operation.   
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the step of automatically switching between a treatment operation and a backwashing operation is controlled by a controller having at least a first timer corresponding to a first time period between successive backwashing operations. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the controller operates a motorized valve. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the controller includes a second timer corresponding to a duration of a backwashing operation. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 57 , further comprising the step of passing the recirculating fluid through an electrical treatment device which treats the recirculating fluid to reduce the formation of scale on the closed loop heat exchange system. 
     
     
         62 . A method of a first entity treating a recirculating fluid of a closed loop heat exchange system for a second entity, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing a first quantity of a sacrificial metallic substance in a fluid path of the recirculating fluid of the closed loop heat exchange system, the presence of the sacrificial metallic substance resulting in a reduction in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the recirculating fluid;   filtering the recirculating fluid to remove particulate matter;   passing the recirculating fluid through an electrical treatment device which treats the recirculating fluid to reduce the formation of scale on the closed loop heat exchange system; and   providing a service contract between the first entity and the second entity, the service contract including a provision for the second entity to pay the first entity for at least periodically replenishing the sacrificial metallic substance.

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