System for removing chemicals from a working fluid, and methods related to the same

Abstract

A method for removing an unwanted chemical from a working fluid of a system includes: 1 ) pumping into a tank a working fluid that includes an unwanted, first chemical; 2 ) injecting into the tank a second chemical in an amount that provides or substantially provides a stoichiometric ratio relative to the amount of the unwanted, first chemical in the working fluid; 3 ) mixing the second chemical with the working fluid in a first portion of the tank to generate a molecule that precipitates out of the working fluid and that includes the unwanted, first chemical; 4 ) holding the working fluid in a second portion of the tank to separate the molecule from the working fluid; and 5 ) ejecting the working fluid from the second portion. The flow rate of the working fluid and the size of the first and second portions of the separation tank are coordinated to make the working fluid take at least 4 minutes to flow through the tank.

1 . A method for removing an unwanted chemical from water, the method comprising:
 pumping the water into a tank having a vertically oriented longitudinal axis, the water including an unwanted, first chemical;   injecting a second chemical into the tank through a tube extending downward along the longitudinal axis at an adjustable location along the longitudinal axis, the second chemical being injected in an amount that provides or substantially provides a stoichiometric ratio relative to the amount of the unwanted, first chemical in the water;   mixing the second chemical with the water in a first portion of the tank to generate a molecule that precipitates out of the water and that includes the unwanted, first chemical, the mixing being further promoted by varying a location of entry of the second chemical into the tank relative to a location at which the water enters into the tank;   holding the water in a second portion of the tank to separate the molecule from the working fluid; and   ejecting the water from the second portion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the water flows through a cooling tower system that removes excess heat from another system, and the unwanted, first chemical includes a metal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an amount of water pumped into the tank is about 0.5% of the total flow of the working fluid through the system. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second chemical includes a caustic or an alkaline donor, including Sodium or Potassium Hydroxide. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pumping the water includes continuously pumping the water into the tank. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein injecting the second chemical includes continuously injecting the second chemical into the tank. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein: pumping the water into the tank includes pumping the water through a first inlet, and injecting the second chemical into the tank includes injecting the second chemical through a second inlet, the second inlet being concentrically aligned with the first inlet and positionable along the alignment at the adjustable location by moving a position of the second inlet. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein mixing the second chemical with the water in the first portion of the tank includes directing the flow of the first chemical and the water through a bed of molecules that have precipitated out of the water from a previous flow into the tank. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein holding the water in the second portion of the tank includes directing the flow of the water away from the center of the second portion as the flow enters the second portion. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein holding the water in the second portion of the tank includes directing the flow of the water in a direction opposite the direction of gravity's pull to allow gravity to separate the molecule from the water. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising modifying the amount of the second chemical injected into the tank in response to a change in the concentration of the unwanted, first chemical in the water. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising purging the tank of the molecule that includes the unwanted, first chemical. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sensing a pressure of the water in the tank, and based on the sensed pressure, opening a valve to purge the tank of the molecule that includes the unwanted, first chemical. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sensing the pressure of the water in the tank at different locations within the first portion of the tank, and in response to the sensed pressure at a specific location, opening a valve that corresponds to the specific location to purge the tank of the molecule that includes the unwanted, first chemical. 
     
     
         15 . A method for removing an unwanted chemical from water via a water treatment system, the method comprising:
 pumping the water into a tank, the water including an unwanted, first chemical;   injecting into the tank a second chemical in an amount that provides or substantially provides a stoichiometric ratio relative to the amount of the unwanted, first chemical in the water;   mixing the second chemical with the water in a first portion of the tank;   generating a plurality of molecules that precipitate out of the water that aggregate in the first portion to form a bed of molecules, the plurality of molecules including the unwanted, first chemical, the bed of molecules meeting water in the second portion at an interface having a location in the tank that is controllable based on differential pressure measured across the interface;   holding the water in a second portion of the tank to separate the molecule from the water;   ejecting the water from the second portion; and   continuously tuning amounts associated with pumping, injecting and mixing to remove the unwanted, first chemical while accounting for losses to the water treatment system.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a location at which the second chemical is injected into the tank is variable. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the water flows through a cooling tower system that removes excess heat from another system, and the unwanted, first chemical includes a metal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein an amount of water pumped into the tank is about 0.5% of the total flow of the working fluid through the system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second chemical includes a caustic or an alkaline donor, including Sodium or Potassium Hydroxide. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein pumping the water includes continuously pumping the water into the tank.