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Surface water services
Monitoring, modeling, testing and environmental research
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Monitoring
In order to measure the abundance of biofilms and macro-fouling during the seasons, KEMA uses several types of monitors. Of course these monitors can be used to determine the efficacy of the mitigation techniques and procedures which have been applied.- KEMA Biofouling Monitor®. This device enables monitoring of the settlement of organisms in a flow-through device and can be used for biocide efficacy monitoring also
- BIoGEORGE™. This probe registers the bacterial activity of a biofilm
- Bridger DATS™ and CFM systems. These systems can be used for evaluating the cleanliness of condensers for heat transfer optimization. These monitors measure biofilm, scaling and deposition of sediment in condenser tubes.
Microbial biofilm monitoring
Monitoring of microbial slime formation for optimization projects in heat exchange improvement and prevention of MIC.
Monitoring abundance and mitigation of fouling organisms
KEMA developed the KEMA Biofouling Monitor® (KBM). This KBM consists of a PVC container in which four tubes are mounted through which water is flowing upwards at 50 L/min. In the tubes, plates are hanging on which the fouling organisms will settle. The result is a well-defined fouling sequence in the monitor, which allows detection at an early stage, permitting enough time for countermeasures.
Chemical and biological monitoring
Wide experience is drawn upon for monitoring and use of a transportable laboratory (20-foot sea container, with tele-diagnostic systems by cellular phones) enabling cost-effective monitoring over longer periods.
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Modeling
Temperature effects of the discharge of cooling
water
Research is performed on the effects of discharges of waste heat
by cooling water on organisms such as plankton and fish. 3D
hydrodynamic dispersion models are used to evaluate the affected
area. Tidal currents, 'natural' thermal stratification and salinity
gradients are taken into account. An example is a model study on
the thermal effects of cooling water discharges by a power plant
located in the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The various
hydrodynamical models can be used for evaluating the dispersion of
pollutants in water for regular and accidental discharges.
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Testing
Testing of new techniques for mitigation of fouling like coatings and biocides for water treatment. Tests are aimed at the efficacy, efficiency of the methods and the determination of specific dosing regimes, like Pulse-Chlorination®, under local conditions, by use of the mobile laboratory. Specifically aimed at mussels, the laboratory can be used to investigate which biocides (chlorine, ozone, et cetera) can be applied successfully under specific local circumstances as well as to determine the specific dosing regime.
Besides this, KEMA has a test rig, a complete small-scale cooling system, consisting of a cooling tower, condenser, piping, et cetera. The system is small enough to fit in the mobile laboratory and can be transported to the location, but it is used also at the KEMA headquarters for research. The test rig is particularly useful in testing different types of water for their chemical characteristics, like scaling properties, when being used as cooling or process water. It can check also which type of water treatment is necessary. Also, several biological parameters can be analyzed, such as biofilm formation and the choice of mitigation method. It makes it possible to test newly developed biocides on their efficacy or effectiveness as well as the dosages that must be applied.
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Environmental research
Many of our fields of expertise are aimed at environmental research, to minimize the impact of industry on surface water. Our wide variety of techniques and tools are often used in combination.- New anti-fouling techniques: We perform research into and test new techniques for anti-fouling like coatings and Pulse-Chlorination (short periods with or without chlorine which fouling organisms experience as continuous chlorination, a method achieving savings of up to 75% in chlorine) or Pulse-Sterilization using pulsed electric fields against micro-organisms
- Optimization of chlorination procedures: Where hypochlorite dosing is used, studies have been carried out in order to reduce costs while maintaining the hypochlorite's efficacy
- Chemical and Biological Monitoring: We have wide experience in the application of techniques and tools
- Risk Assessment / Impact studies: There are desk studies with or without specific experiments, including the influence of heated effluent water on fish migration or prevention of Legionella in tap water installations
- (Eco-)Toxicological studies: We have general, broader studies on the effects of the by-products of chlorination, which forms compounds like chloroform and bromoform. Instead of live fish, artificial fats are used to learn about the formation and accumulation of all kinds of by-products of chlorination
- The effects of temperature in cooling water: A large database is available on the effects of heated cooling water on planktonic organisms and fish. In co-operation with NRG, three-dimensional models are used to study the heated plumes and their effects on migrating fish species
- Control of Fouling and choice of biocides: Which anti-fouling technique is the best solution, with regard to your costs, the environment and legislation? Oxidative biocides can be used, like chlorine, ozone and per-oxides, but sometimes microsieves or thermal treatment could be the solution
- Compliance with governmental legislation: In co-operation with companies, we contribute our expertise and results of our research to government and local authorities.
For more information please contact us.
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