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Antifouling
An example of results with a previous film-forming technique ; Blueterm ® is expected to achieve the same result .
Research pilot project “ Research has proven the effectiveness of Blueterm ® , but as a small player in a global chemical industry dominated by a handful of very large manufacturers , it ’ s challenging to break into the market ,” explains Stefan . Eventually , the team decided to go it alone , marketing Blueterm ® themselves . “ While there has been a great deal of interest from power companies , it ’ s critical that we carry out more research to prove the effectiveness and raise awareness . In the summer of 2021 , we carried out a Proof of Concept with seawater at a power plant on the Maasvlakte in the Netherlands . A test rig was built inside a container with a cooling water bypass , and an independent company carried out the study and compiled the results . We had our Proof of Concept within a few months and began promoting the product .”
How does it work ? Blueterm ® is a unique patented formulation intended to treat open or semi-closed industrial cooling water circuits supplied with sea , fresh or brackish water . It effectively prevents the development of micro and macro biofouling
( oysters , mussels , barnacles , hydras , etc .). The reduction of biofilm and sludge generated by macro biofouling reduces the phenomenon of bio-corrosion and therefore industrial maintenance . Blueterm ® is an organic formulation dissolved in water . It is a combination of a long-chain aliphatic amine with a highly specific exopolysaccharide ( EPS ). The synergistic effect makes the treatment extremely efficient compared to traditional methods . Moreover , Blueterm ® contains no oxidizing components , quaternary amines , aromatic compounds or heavy metals . The amine penetrates the biological membranes and the biofilm . This integration disrupts the coherence of the biological structure and leads to the destruction of the membranes . This is fatal for micro-organisms and for macro-organisms ; the treatment causes a stress condition that is sufficient to prevent their permanent settlement . At the proper concentrations and duration , it is ultimately also fatal for macro-organisms ( barnacles , hydras , etc ). However , the aim of the treatment is to prevent fouling while reducing chemical use to a minimum . The EPS acts as a surfactant that ensures that the active substance reaches the places where the problems arise . This means that you do not have to treat the entire water flow but only the surfaces of the system .
“ We ’ re looking for industry leaders to work with us to validate and optimize this innovation in the field .”
An example of a typical injection system suitable for Blueterm ® used at a power plant in the Netherlands .
Environmental & economic advantages Stefan highlights how Blueterm ® can help companies and operators reach their Sustainability Development Goals ( SDG ) while saving money . “ This is a simple drop-in product , which enters the system and creates a film layer on every surface , preventing the attachment of biofilm and biological organisms such as mussels , larvae , barnacles , etc . The film is maintained by dosing a very small amount of the product daily . We are confident that it can also reduce anti-scaling chemicals and reduces microbiological induced corrosion , but for the power generation market and Termanox ’ s target , biofouling is the primary concern ,” explains Stefan . www . heat-exchanger-world . com Heat Exchanger World February 2024
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