APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED SALT PRECIPITATION AND SCALING TESTS AND USE

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for salt precipitation and scaling tests, which comprises two reagent storage tanks (2, 3), a reagent mixing module (6), induction period measurement modules (7, 12), an ultrasound-assisted precipitation module (9) and a scaling module with heat exchanger (13). From the apparatus, it is possible to carry out tests with the purpose of investigating the influence of parameters such as flow rate, temperature and concentration on salt precipitation and scaling. It is further possible to carry out tests under the action of ultrasound, since it promotes acceleration of chemical reactions.

Claims

1. AN APPARATUS FOR ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED SALT PRECIPITATION AND SCALING TESTS, characterized in that it comprises an electronic system (1), a first storage tank (2), a second storage tank (3), pumps (4) and (5), a mixing module (6), a first induction period module (7), a first temperature sensor (8), an ultrasound-assisted precipitation module (9), an ultrasonic transducer or piezoelectric wafer (10), a second temperature sensor (11), a second induction period measurement module (12), a scaling module with heat exchanger (13), a pressure sensor (14), a disposal tank (15), a cleaning solution storage tank (16), a pump (17), a distilled or deionized water storage tank (18), a pump (19), and a mechanical structure with casters (20).

2. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic system (1) is for driving and monitoring the current and voltage of the pumps and controlling the flow rate of reagents.

3. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the reagent storage tanks (2, 3) are used to store reagents to be pumped and mixed, thus forming the solution used in the investigations.

4. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the pumps (4, 5, 17 and 19) are of the reciprocating and/or rotating type.

5. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixing module (6) is for mixing the reagents and in turn for forming the solution to be used in the investigations.

6. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the induction period measurement modules (7, 12) are of conductivity or optical type for measuring the appearance of the first crystals in the solution.

7. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature sensors (8, 11) are of the encapsulated thermocouple, thermal resistance and semiconductor type.

8. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the ultrasonic-assisted precipitation module (9) consists of one or more ultrasonic or electroacoustic transducers, or even just piezoelectric wafers.

9. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the ultrasonic transducer or piezoelectric wafer (10) has a power of 5 to 100 W, for producing cavitation in the fluid contained in the ultrasound-assisted precipitation module (9).

10. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the scaling module with heat exchanger (13) consists of a coil machined in the part itself that makes up the module, used to obtain scaling of the chemical component to be studied.

11. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure sensor (14) is of the capacitive, piezoelectric, potentiometric, resonant and optical type used to measure the pressure differential in the scaling module with heat exchanger (13).

12. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the disposal tank (15) is for disposal of the solution used in investigations in the apparatus.

13. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning solution storage tank (16) is for removing dirt from the components of the apparatus.

14. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the distilled or deionized water storage tank (18) is for rinsing after using the cleaning solution.

15. THE APPARATUS according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical structure with casters (20) is easy to transport, in which all the components of the apparatus are accommodated therein.

16. AN ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED SYSTEM FOR PRECIPITATION AND SALT SCALING, characterized in that it operates from the activation of the apparatus, as defined in claim 1, by adjusting the flow rate of reagents by means of the command interface of the electronic system (1), in which reagents are pumped from the first reagent storage tank (2) and from the second reagent storage tank (3) by means of pumps (4) and (5), mixing them in the reagent mixing module (6); next, they pass through the first induction period measurement module (7), next the fluid passes through the first temperature sensor (8) and through the ultrasound-assisted precipitation module (9), whose module is further assisted by ultrasound by means of a ultrasonic transducer or piezoelectric wafer (10) coupled in its structure; the fluid then passes through the second temperature sensor (11) and the second induction period measurement module (12) and the scaling module with heat exchanger (13); after the fluid leaves the scaling module with heat exchanger (13), it goes to the disposal tank (15).

17. THE SYSTEM according to claim 16, characterized in that the apparatus and piping modules carry out cleaning by means of the circulation of a cleaning solution stored in the tank (16) through the pump (17) and of distilled or deionized water stored in the tank (18) through the pump (19) in order to remove solvent and dirt remaining in the components of the apparatus.

18. AN USE OF THE APPARATUS, as defined in claim 1, characterized in that it is applied in studies of precipitation and scaling of inorganics and tests of efficiency of inhibitors with or without the influence of ultrasound.

19. THE USE OF THE APPARATUS according to claim 18, characterized in that it is for investigating inorganic scales for different flow rates, pressures, temperatures, reagent concentrations and ultrasound intensities.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention will be described in more detail below, with reference to the attached figures which, in a schematic way and not limiting the inventive scope, represent examples of embodiment thereof. In the drawings, there are:

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrating a front view of the apparatus with its main components: (1) electronic system, (2) first reagent storage tank, (3) second reagent storage tank, (4) and (5) pumps, (6) reagent mixing module, (7) first induction period measurement module, (8) first temperature sensor, (9) ultrasound-assisted precipitation module, (10) ultrasonic transducer or piezoelectric wafer, (11) second temperature sensor, (12) second induction period measurement module, (13) scaling module with heat exchanger, (14) pressure sensor, (15) disposal tank, (16) cleaning solution storage tank, (17) pump, (18) distilled or deionized water storage tank, (19) pump, and (20) mechanical structure with casters;

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrating an isometric view of the apparatus;

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrating graphs of conductivity as a function of ultrasound power (US): (a) 0 W, (b) 5 W and (c) 20 W.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The apparatus, according to the present invention and illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises reagent storage tanks (2, 3); a tank for storing distilled or deionized water (18); a tank for storing cleaning solution (16); pumps for the circulation of fluids (4, 5, 17, 19) of the reciprocating and/or rotary type; a reagent mixing module (6) for forming the solution to be used in investigations; induction period measurement modules (7, 12), which can be conductivity or optical sensors, pH sensors, among others for measuring the appearance of the first crystals in the solution; an ultrasound-assisted precipitation module (9); a scaling module with heat exchanger (13) consisting of a coil machined in the part itself that makes up the module; temperature sensors (8, 11) of the encapsulated thermocouple, thermal resistance and semiconductor type; a pressure sensor (14) of capacitive, piezoelectric, potentiometric, resonant and optical type; and an electronic system (1) for activating and monitoring current and voltage of pumps and controlling of reagent flow rate.

[0027] Its operation takes place from the activation of the apparatus and adjustment of the flow rate of reagents by means of the command interface of the electronic system (1), which, once turned on, causes the reagents to be pumped from the first storage tank (2) and from the second storage tank (3) by means of the pumps (4) and (5), mixing them in the reagent mixing module (6). Then they pass through the first induction period measurement module (7), where it is possible to investigate the formation of the first crystals of the chemical component under study. Later, the fluid passes through the first temperature sensor (8) and through the ultrasound-assisted precipitation module (9); this module has a transparent window where it is possible to visualize the formation of crystals and carry out some type of monitoring by means of a camera or measurements with optical sensors. This module is further assisted by ultrasound by means of an ultrasonic transducer or piezoelectric wafer (10) coupled to its structure; this allows the effect of cavitation inside the module with the purpose of accelerating the chemical reaction and in turn the precipitation of crystals. The fluid then passes through the second temperature sensor (11) and the second induction period measurement module (12) and through the scaling module with heat exchanger (13); this module is designed so that there is scaling of the chemical component and so that it is possible to carry out weight, hardness and composition analyses. In this module, the pressure differential is measured by means of the pressure sensor (14), with the purpose of investigating the influence of scaling on the fluid flow rate. And finally, the fluid that leaves the scaling module with heat exchanger (13) goes to the disposal tank (15) for disposal of the solution used in the investigations in the apparatus.

[0028] To clean the apparatus modules and the pipes, first a cleaning solution stored in the tank (16) is circulated through the pump (17), and the fluid makes the same path as the reagents through the apparatus. Once the cleaning solution has passed, the distilled or deionized water stored in the tank (18) is circulated through the pump (19), in order to remove solution and dirt remaining in the components of the apparatus. All components are accommodated on a mechanical structure with casters (20) for easy handling and transport.

[0029] The apparatus of the present invention is applied to studies of precipitation and scaling of inorganics and tests of efficiency of inhibitors with or without influence of ultrasound. Such an apparatus is capable of investigating inorganic scaling for different flow rates, pressures, temperatures, reagent concentrations and ultrasound intensities.

[0030] The ultrasonic-assisted precipitation module (9) can consist of one or more ultrasonic or electroacoustic transducers, or even just piezoelectric wafers. The ultrasonic transducer or piezoelectric wafer (10) has a power from 5 to 100 W.

EXAMPLES

[0031] Tests were performed on the apparatus in order to observe the influence of ultrasound on the precipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCO.sub.3). For the production of calcium carbonate, two equimolar solutions of calcium chloride (3500 ppm Ca.sup.2+) and sodium carbonate were used. For each test, 5 liters of reagents were prepared.

[0032] Three tests were carried out, wherein the ultrasonic-assisted precipitation module was used. The first test, with the generator off, that is, 0 W of power and without ultrasound influence, the second test with 5 W of power, and the third with 20 W. The tests were carried out at a flow rate of 50 mL/min, the conductivity values of the solution were monitored every 2 seconds, and the tests lasted 60 minutes. During the tests, every 10 minutes an aliquot of 100 ml of the solution was removed from the outlet of the apparatus and used in the particulate material collection system.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows the graphs of conductivity as a function of time for the three tested powers. During the tests, the conductivity of the solution was monitored and used as an indicator of the formation of the first calcium carbonate crystals and, at the end, carbonate deposition was observed.

[0034] The induction period values obtained in the graph of FIG. 3 can be seen in Table 1, from which it is possible to see a decrease in the induction period as the ultrasound power (US) increases, with 26.1 minutes at 0 W and 9.8 minutes at 20 W, that is, a 62.4% decrease in the induction period.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Induction period (IP) values for the tested US powers. US Power IP Sensor A IP Sensor B (Watts) (Minutes) 0 21.1 26.1 5 26.3 12.7 20 25.7 9.8

[0035] It should be noted that, although the present invention has been described in relation to the attached drawings, it may undergo modifications and adaptations by technicians skilled on the subject, depending on the specific situation, but provided that it is within the inventive scope as defined herein.