Heat Transfer Efficiency
Increasing the energy supply is not the only answer to a stable energy future. Reducing demand through the improved efficiency of devices and procedures has the same end result. Industry accounts for about one-third of all energy consumption in the United States, more than any other sector of the economy, and its use of energy is expected to grow about 11% (0.4% per year) during the next 25 years.
Scaling and biofouling both contribute significantly to increasing a cooling water system’s total cost of operation. Daily operational costs are increased by reduced efficiency and higher fuel demands, maintenance expenses rise due to required equipment cleanings, and equipment costs can skyrocket due to reduced equipment life cycles.
Biofouling accumulates on heat transfer surfaces and has major impacts on heat transfer efficiency, fouling, scaling, and corrosion. Uncontrolled, microbiological growth in cooling systems will greatly increase daily operating costs, decrease the life of equipment, and even contribute to the spread of bacteria. Bacterial growth occurs on the warm heat transfer surfaces, and manifests as a slimy film on heat exchanger tubes. As bad as mineral scale is for heat transfer, biofilm is much worse. The chart below illustrates that biofilm is at least four times more insulating than mineral scales. The table below provides an estimate of additional energy costs caused by biofilm accumulation.
