AU738740B2 - Biofouling reduction - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant: BAKER HUGHES LIMITED Invention Title: BIOFOULING

REDUCTION

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: iA BIOFOULING REDUCTION This invention relates to biofouling reduction, and more Particularly to the reduction and prevention of biofouling in facilities utilizing water, such as sea water, carrying biological organisms.

Control of fouling in facilities utilizing process water has been a long-standing problem. Macroorganisms, such as species of mussels, including zebra mussels, found in sea water and fresh water sources, such as the Great Lakes, have become notorious sources of biofouling.

With their ability to grow profusely and in great concentration, mussels, including zebra mussels have been known to completely block and close large diameter water inlet pipes for the cooling systems of major seaside and lakeside power plants. While less notorious, microorganism fouling can be just as troubling. Such fouling can reduce heat transfer through the piping and reduce the flow of water through the piping of heat exchangers thereby decreasing their ability to discharge heat into the water. In addition, such fouling can adversely change the permeability of filters (and more particularly the permeability of the filtration media contained within the filters). In addition, macroorganisms and microorganisms within piping systems generate chemical waste products that induce and promote chemical corrosion within the systems. This phenomenon, commonly known as microbially induced corrosion, attacks the structural integrity of piping systems.

Various techniques have been proposed to prevent or at least reduce biofouling, but all have had their limitations. Among the early attempts was the use of heavy dosages of chlorine ions as a biocide to kill the organisms. While this approach gave the desirable result of sanitizing the water, if also produced undesirable excess hypochlorous acid which itself attacked the structural integrity of the piping system.

More recently, environmental concerns have been raised about the high doses of chlorine and in particular the discharge of residual (or unreacted) chlorine and reaction products such as trihalomethanes, from the piping system back into the ecology.

Similarly, high doses of copper ions have been proposed as a biocide. As with chlorine, the discharge of high levels of residual copper ions back into the ecosystem presents a significant environmental concern. In addition, it has been found that at least certain microorganisms have responded to copper ion treatment by developing a degree of resistance to this biocide. Copper ion alone is regarded as effective only against macrofouling. Moreover, typically electrolytic cells utilizing copper electrodes are used to generate the copper ions, and these electrodes experience a high rate of sacrificial loss in generating the needed dosage level of ions.

A more recent and more promising approach was jointly developed by certain of the inventors of the instant invention in their U.S.

Pat. No. 4,869,019, incorporated herewith by reference. This patent describes the synergistic effect of low dosage levels of chlorine ions used in conjunction with low dosage levels of copper ions to form a 20 treatment additive sufficient to temporarily stress or disorient (but not inecessarily" kill) both macroorganisms and microorganisms so that they pass through the piping system of a facility without attaching themselves to the system. Being of low dosage, the chlorine and copper ions generated by this technique represent significantly less environmental concern than the previous techniques. As successful as this combined ion treatment approach may have been, it still suffered limitations as applied to large facilities. Combined ion treatment is effective for only a relatively short time duration (such as for example thirty (30) minutes).

Thus, if combined ion treatment is used only at the water inlet to the piping system of a large facility, the treatment is effective for only part of the travel of the organisms through the piping system. Fouling can then occur in the downstream part of the piping system for which treatment effectiveness has been lost. Conversely, use of combined ion treatment at numerous points along the piping system requires a corresponding number of sources of ion generation, such as electrolytic cells for generating the treatment ions, with resultant increased capital costs and operating expenses, and can result in an environmentally unacceptable build up of certain of the ions at discharge.

Among the facilities not adequately treated for biofouling by these prior art techniques are desalinization plants. These plants use reverse osmosis semi-permeable membranes to remove inorganic ions, such as salt, from sea water or fresh water brines. However, biological organisms carried along with the sea water and brines tend to grow on the semi-permeable membranes of these cells causing them to lose permeability and thus to lose salt removal efficiency. This lost efficiency at times has exceeded 50%, thereby reducing fresh water production or requiring additional production capacity. Typically, biofouling treatment of such facilities takes the form of adding high dosage levels of chlorine ions at the inlet to the piping system. While this may sanitize the water of organisms, the high dosage level of chlorine itself can in some instances chemically react with the media and adversely affect its permeability.

Moreover, the generation of high dosage levels of chlorine is expensive in terms of capital equipment required and operating expenses, and the disposal of such levels of chlorine can present environmental problems.

Another difficult biofouling problem is presented by marine fire water systems. These systems are found on board ships, oilfield offshore rigs and production and storage facilities; and take the form of a ring main with fire extinguishing sprinkler and deluge system utilizing sea water constantly charged under pressure in the system. Over time the biological organisms in the water grow, stimulating the production of corrosion product and blocking the piping system, thereby preventing water discharge when needed. Prior art systems called for a constant, relatively small volume discharge of sea water from the system and the delivery of high dosage levels of chlorine at the water inlet to the system. However, chlorine at these levels causes and enhances corrosion of the piping system and presents environmental problems at discharge. Other approaches for solving this problem include the use of high alloy brass, such as Admiralty Brass, as the material of construction of the piping system. Such materials leach copper ions to retard biological growth, but are expensive and difficult to install.

Further biofouling problems arise with facilities having numerous points requiring biofouling treatment, such as for example power plants having a bank of heat exchangers in parallel flow arrangement, and oilfield water injection apparatus for injecting treated water into a water bearing formation of a hydrocarbon reservoir having a number of filter nits in series or parallel flow arrangement. The typical prior art treatment technique for such multiple treatment point facilities is to 20 deliver a large dose of chlorine to the piping inlet to the facility, thereby also delivering chlorine at the same time at or above the desired effective dosage levels to all of the numerous treatment points downstream of the piping inlet. Because of the loss of treatment effectiveness of chlorine over time, the dosage level of the chlorine at the inlet in single point treatment systems must be high enough that enough chlorine remains to be effective at the treatment point farthest removed from the inlet. However, this approach requires large *.*."quantities of chlorine be provided at the inlet with resultant high capital 5 cost and operating cost and exposes the piping system to high levels of highly reactive chlorine ions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid piping circuit for circulating liquid containing biological organisms tending to foul the circuit and an end use device along the circuit utilising the liquid, the circuit including: piping having an inlet to a source of liquid carrying biological organisms; a pump conveying the liquid along the piping; at least one end use device connected to the piping utilising the liquid in serial flow arrangement with the inlet; Soa source of treatment additive including an oxidising agent for inhibiting the growth of biological organisms delivering such treatment additive to at least two points along the piping, the first being adjacent the inlet and the second being upstream of the end use device; flow connectors defining flow connections independent of the piping and extending between the source "e of treatment additive and the first and second points along the piping for delivery of treatment additive; and 25 a controller for the selective and sequential o: delivery of doses of treatment additive through the flow connectors from the source of treatment additive to the piping at the first point and then the delivery of treatment additive to the piping at the second point to inhibit growth of biological organisms in the piping between the first and second points, and in the end use device.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of preventing biofouling of a liquid piping circuit circulating liquid containing biological organisms tending to foul the circuit, with at least one end use device in the circuit H:\mbourke\Keep\Speci\36807-99 SPECI.doc 05/07/01 utilising the liquid, the method including: providing piping having an inlet to a source of liquid carrying biological organisms and at least one end use device utilising the liquid in serial flow arrangement with the inlet; continuously flowing the liquid through the piping; providing a source of treatment additive including an oxidising agent for inhibiting growth of biological organisms in the liquid and flow connectors defining flow connections independent of the piping extending between the source of treatment additive and multiple points along the piping; and delivering treatment additive from the source to at least two points along the piping via connections independent of the piping, the first points being adjacent the inlet and the second point being upstream of the end :use device, wherein the delivery of treatment additive is done selectively and sequentially from the source of S 20 treatment additive in doses to said first point along the piping and then to said second point along the piping for inhibiting growth of biological organisms in the piping between the first and second points and in the end use device.

25 According to another aspect of the present :eo: invention, there is provided a method of treating liquid in a liquid piping circuit with a treatment additive including an oxidising agent which has a treatment effectiveness which decreases with time as the liquid flows along the piping circuit, the piping circuit including an end use device utilising the liquid, the method including: providing liquid piping having an inlet to a source of liquid which needs to be treated by a treatment additive which has a treatment effectiveness which decreases with time, and at least one end use device utilising the liquid in serial flow arrangement with the H:\mbourke\Keep\Speci\36807-99 SPECI.doc 05/07/01 inlet; delivering treatment additive from a single source thereof in doses to at least two points along the piping, the first being adjacent the inlet and the second being adjacent the end use device; and selectively and sequentially delivering doses of the treatment additive from the source thereof to the first point along the piping and then to the second point independently of the piping for inhibiting the growth of biological organisms in the piping between the first and second points and in the end use device.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process liquid treatment mechanism for treating liquid flowing in a liquid piping circuit having an inlet to a source of liquid requiring treatment and a plurality of end use devices connected in :00%serial flow arrangement to the piping utilising the liquid, the mechanism including: a dosage delivery mechanism receiving treatment 20 additive including an oxidising agent from a source thereof; flow connectors defining flow connections *independent of the piping extending between the dosage delivery mechanism and points along the piping; 25 with the dosage delivering mechanism including valving for selectively and sequentially directing a predetermined dosage of treatment additive from the source thereof to a predetermined flow connector during a predetermined period of time, and a delivery device for flowing the treatment additive along the flow connector under pressure to the respective point along the piping; and a controller controlling the operation of the valving to selectively and sequentially deliver said predetermined dosage of the treatment additive to each of said points along the piping in a predetermined pattern of delivery.

H:\mbourke\Keep\Speci\36807-99 SPECIdoc 05/07/01 5c SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the several advantages of this invention is the selective (and, as may be desired, the sequential) target dosing of treatment additive into a facility utilizing water containing biological organisms for effectively treating the organisms throughout their residence time in the facility, without causing corrosion, chemical reaction or other detrimental action from the additive or environmental discharge problems. The treatment additive of the invention as used for biofouling comprises a oxidizing agent, such as chlorine ions or ozone, and a source of copper ions, both at relatively low dosage levels.

In accordance with this invention, treatment additive may be 15 delivered from a single source of additive to multiple points along the S::piping system of a facility to prevent biofouling at each location of the facility requiring treatment, but without copper ion build up. In one embodiment of the invention doses of the treatment additive are delivered sequentially at the predetermined dosage level from the 20 source of treatment additive and are targeted to the desired points along the piping system. This sequential target dosing of treatment additive significantly reduces the quantity of treatment additive required as well as the number of treatment additive devices. Together, these reductions of additive and equipment significantly lower the capital costs and operating expenses for biofouling treatment of a facility.

As used in a desalinization plant, this invention provides for the delivery of relatively low dosage levels of oxidizing agent and even lower levels of copper ions into the piping system of the plant upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane. The dosage level of the oxidizing H: \mbourke\Keep\Speci\36807-99 SPECI.doc 05/07/01 agent and copper ions is sufficient to inhibit growth of biological organisms that would otherwise grow on and thus adversely affect permeability of the filter media and/or membranes, but are low enough to avoid detrimental chemical reaction with the media. As used to protect water filters, this invention provides for the delivery of treatment additive upstream of the filters to prevent the growth of biological organisms on the membrane material. As used to reduce biofouling of facility having heat rejection devices and heat transfer passaging for cooling water, this invention provides for the delivery of oxidizing agent at the inlet of the piping system of the facility, and oxidizing agent and copper ions upstream of the heat transfer passaging. As used to treat sea water or water produced from a well for downhole injection into a water bearing formation of a hydrocarbon reservoir, this invention provides a source of oxidizing agent for delivering low dosages of such agent into the piping of the facility upstream of the filter equipment of the injection equipment and a source of copper ions for delivering even lower dosages of copper ions to the piping upstream of the filter. As used to treat a fire water system, this invention provides a source of oxidizing agent for delivery of oxidizing agent and a source of copper ions for delivery of copper ions, with both. types of ions being delivered into the piping at the inlet to the fire water system to inhibit the growth of biological organisms in the system.

Other advantages and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of a desalinization plant, showing the flow 0 .of water past the various filtration stations and the application of biofouling reduction treatment of this invention; Fig. 2 is a fow. diagram of a power pl'ant ioca1ed at a lake or ocean, showing the flow of cooling water past the various heat transfer units and the application of biofouling reduction treatment of this invention; Fig. 3 is a flow diagram of an oilfield water injection facility, showing the flow of water past the various filtration stations and the application of biofouling reduction treatment of this invention; and Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of a fire water system showing the flow of water to the sprinkler heads and deluge devices and the application of biofouling reduction system of this invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings there is generally indicated at 1 a desalinization plant for the treatment of raw water 3, such as sea water or brines, to remove undesirable organic and inorganic material so as to make fresh or potable water. Such plants are often located in areas, such as the Mid-East, having little or no fresh water but easy *20 access to sea water.

*Desalination plant 1 comprises piping 5 extending from an inlet 7 in communication with a source of raw water to be treated to an outlet 9 discharging fresh water. A pump 11 is provided for lifting the raw water from the inlet and pressurizing the water in the piping 5 to move it to the outlet. At points along and in fluid communication with the piping are a series of filtration stations for removing the unwanted organic and inorganic materials. The desalinization plant includes one or more first coarse filters 13, such as a sand media bed filter, to remove relatively large particles suspended in the raw water. This is followed by one or more organic material removal filters i5, such as an activated carbon media bed filter, for removing oil and similar material. This is followed by one or more cartridge filters 17 and an ultrafiltration filter 19 for removing small suspended materials from the raw water. Final filtration is done at a reverse osmosis cell 21 utilizing a reverse osmosis membrane media 23 which blocks the flow of dissolved inorganic ions, such as C/ Na, and OH-, past the membrane while allowing the flow of fresh water through the membrane. A high pressure pump 25 creates sufficient water pressure at the upstream side of the membrane to overcome the osmotic pressure across the membrane media 23.

As described earlier, problems have arisen in the operation of prior desalinization plants (and more particularly in the operation of the membrane media of these plants) that significantly reduce their efficiency. The raw water to be treated not only contains undesirable organic and inorganic material and dissolved ions, but also biological microorganisms that tend to grow on the upstream face of the membrane medium, thereby adversely affecting the permeability of the medium and its filtration efficiency. The prior art approach for treating this biological growth is to provide a heavy dose of chlorine a 000 20 dosage level of 1-2 p.p.m) to the water upstream of the reverse osmosis cell. However, the material of construction of the membrane media may chemically react with chlorine at these concentration levels and cause the very type of problem the alteration in membrane permeability) that the chlorine, in part,-was intended to overcome.

The biofouling reduction apparatus of this invention as shown in Fig. I comprises a suitable source of treatment additive, such as dosing chamber 25, for introducing treatment additive at a predetermined dosage level into treatment water, a side stream 27 supplying water to the dosing chamber, flow connectors (collectively indicated at 29) extending between the dosing chamber and points along the raw water piping, a control panel or controller 31 for controlling the operation of the dosing chamber, and valves (collectively indicated at 33) positioned along the flow connectors to operate in a so-called sequential target dosing mode which delivers treatment additive of predetermined composition to selected points along the piping at predetermined times and in predetermined concentrations for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness of biofouling treatment.

The treatment additive comprises oxidizing agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, ozone or chlorine, and may include copper ions.

The copper ions may be obtained from copper solutions, such as copper sulfate or copper citrate, or from an electrolytic cell. One acceptable cell design for producing both copper and chlorine ions is generally described and shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,016, with this patent further describing the synergistic effects of these materials on biofouling treatment. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,405 describes a so-called center-tap version of this type of electrolytic cell. It produces ions but does not produce an electrical charge on the water.

2 .0 The controller 31 is a programmed logic controller (or PLC) which monitors and controls the dosage levels of the oxidizing agent and, as needed, the copper ions at the dosing chamber to yield treatment of the biological organisms at high levels of effectiveness and efficiency. A typical dosing level of oxidizing agent is 50 ppb or ug/I (10- 6 g/1) and of copper ions is 5 ug/l. The controller further monitors and controls the operation of the dosing chamber 31 and the valves 33 in the flow connectors 29 to deliver the treatment additive in a sequential target dosing mode, as well as for an operational duty cycle no longer than that required for effective treatment. In that regard, some biofouling 1o treatment applications have been found to require the use of treatment additive for as little as two hours per day.

In operation, the biofouling reduction apparatus receives the side stream of water 27, preferably taken downstream of at least one of the filters, introduces the treatment additive to the stream, and delivers the treatment additive carried in the water to the various points along the piping 5 where equipment requires biofouling treatment. In the desalinization plant of Fig. I the piping inlet 7 receives treatment additive comprising both oxidizing agent-and copper ions to protect the inlet and piping extending to the pump 11. At the pump, treatment additive is again delivered but it need not comprise both oxidizing agent and copper ions. While the effectiveness of the oxidizing agent decreases with respect to time as the water flows along the piping and must be replenished for effective treatment, the copper ions generally do not dissipate and remain present and effective throughout the travel of the water through the piping to the reverse osmosis cell 21 where they are removed. In like manner, treatment agent in the form of oxidizing agent is delivered upstream of the sand filter 13, organic removal filter 15, cartridge filter 1 7, ultra filtration filter 19 and reverse osmosis membrane 21. With the use of sequential target dosing, the concentration of the oxidizing agent, when it takes the form of chlorine ions is so low that there is no chemical reaction with the membrane 23, and presents no environmental concern. The biofouling reduction ee apparatus and techniques of this invention maintain the reverse osmosis 25 membrane 23 free of biofouling and maintains operation at optimum .permeability while utilizing small capacity equipment operating at low costs. A further benefit of this invention is the enhanced efficiency of the operation of the filters upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane 21. These membrane are also susceptible to biological growth and the I I treatment additive acts as a membrane protection aid for inhibiting biological growth on the media and maintaining filter performance.

Referring now to Fig. 2, a plant, such as a power plant generally indicated at 101, is shown receiving cooling water from a source of raw water 103 from a source such as a lake or the ocean to cool heat generating devices at one or more suitable heat exchangers (collectively indicated at 105). The water is lifted by pumps (not shown) at a single or as shown in Fig 2 a multiple station sea lift bay 109 and is moved via piping 111 to the passaging (collectively indicated at 113) of the heat transfer units. Often this water, whether it be fresh water or sea water, contains biological organisms which tend to attach themselves to the piping 111 and heat transfer passaging 113 thereby limiting the flow of water through the passaging and thus limiting the transfer of heat. As described earlier, the prior art approach for treating this biofouling problem was to continuously dose all of the cooling water with a dosage of chlorine high enough that a satisfactory treatment level of chlorine remained as the process water flowed past the heat transfer units. Because as much as 360,000 m 3 /h of cooling water was treated with chlorine at a dosage of 3,000 ppb, large electrolytic cells capable of generating 1,000 kg per hour or more of chlorine was required.

In contrast, the biofouling reduction apparatus 101 of Fig. 2 comprises a relatively small dosing chamber 125, with an associated controller 131, and flow connectors (collectively indicated at .129) with remote control valves (collectively indicated at 133) extending between the dosing chamber and points along the piping. Treatment additive provided at the dosing chamber is delivered along the flow connectors 129 to the points along the piping requiring biofouling treatment. As shown in Fig. 2, the initial points of treatment are preferably at the cooling water inlets 109 and the other points of treatment are upstream of the heat transfer units. The controller operates the dosing chamber 125 to deliver treatment additive comprising both oxidizing agent and copper ions to the water inlets 109, and treatment additive comprising only oxidizing agent to the heat transfer units 105. The controller operates the remotely controlled valves 133 so that the respective treatment additive is delivered at predetermined times and in predetermined quantities for the effective and efficient treatment of the biological organisms. For example, using sequential target dosing only the following doses of treatment agent are required: 750 ppb of oxidizing agent, and with or without 5 ppb of copper ions at each sequential dosing plant.

Referring now to Fig. 3, an oilfield injection water treatment facility generally indicated at 201 is shown to comprise piping 205 extending from a raw water inlet 207 past various filters to a high pressure pump 209 for injection of the treated water downhole into a formation of a hydrocarbon reservoir. A lift pump 211 is provided at the inlet and moves the water via the piping 205 past one or more coarse filters 213, one or more fine filters 215, a de-aeration tower 217, a booster pump, a 20 polishing filter 219 and finally to the injection pump 209. Chemical treatment equipment (not shown) typically is provided to inject chemicals such as polyelectrolytes, coagulants, biocides, anti-foaming agents, oxygen scavengers and scale inhibitors into the water to treat S" the water before injection. As with the earlier described desalinization plant 1 and power plant 101, the prior art approach to reducing biofouling in facilities of this type was to deliver a continuous large dose S'-of chlorine to the raw water.

The biofouling treatment apparatus of this invention as applied to the water injection facility 201 comprises a dosing chamber 225, il S1 3 controller 231 and flow connectors (collectively indicated at 229). The valves 229 are shown positioned adjacent the dosing chamber and it is contemplated they may be interior to or integral with that device. As described with the biofouling treatment apparatus described above for the desalinization 1 and power plants 101, the apparatus delivers treatment additive comprising oxidizing agent and copper ions at the inlet 207 and treatment additive comprising only oxidizing agent upstream of the other treatment points. However, differing from the earlier described facilities, the treatment apparatus 201 of this invention makes synergistic use of the de-aeration tower 217. When an electrolytic cell is used in the dosing chamber 225 to generate chlorine ions for the treatment additive, the cell also generates hydrogen gas entrained and dissolved in the water. With prior art biofouling reduction systems, the quantities of chlorine and thus of resultant explosive hydrogen are so large that an additional associated hydrogen disengagement tank is required. However, with the apparatus of this invention, far smaller quantities of chlorine and hydrogen are generated and thus hydrogen disengagement can be accomplished at the de- .aeration tank already present in the water injection circuit. As shown, 20 this tank may be provided with inlet 221 for introducing air to flush the tank and a vent 223 for removing the air and released hydrogen.

A fire water system is generally indicated at 301 in Fig. 4 for use in extinguishing fires by the discharge of water via sprinklers 317 or deluge systems 319 on board a ship, oilfield offshore rig or production and storage facility (not shown). The system comprises piping 305 having an inlet 307 to raw water, such as sea water carrying biological organisms.

A high capacity main or primary pump 309 adjacent the inlet is available on a stand-by basis to be activated and operated when large quantities of sea water are required to extinguish a fire. The main pump is periodically operated on a test basis one hour per week) to confirm the operability of the system. Otherwise, it is operated only in emergency.

However, it is necessary to keep the system charged with water under pressure, so that the system can respond immediately in extinguishing a fire, and thus operate during the start-up time of the main pump in an emergency. To do this, a secondary source of water under pressure is provided, either in the form of a side stream of water via pipe 311 from other pressured water (typically sea water) service, or a continuously operated, low capacity so-called jockey pump 313. The.

piping is in flow communication with a pipeline circuit 315 which includes the sprinklers 317 and deluge systems 319 connected via headers (collectively indicated as 321). The circuit further includes an outlet 323 for continuous discharge of water from the secondary source.

Several areas of potential biofouling arise in this system. A significant problem occurs at the inlet 307 and the main'pump 309, which are continuously exposed to sea water and for which there is no movement of water at most times, thereby allowing the biological growth readily to attach to the piping 305. Another biofouling problem f 20 arises in the piping downstream of the secondary source of water and in the pipeline circuit 315, which is made more difficult by the low flow rate of water through these conduits. The biofouling reduction apparatus of this invention effectively addresses biofouling problems in these two areas. A third area presenting biofouling is in the headers 321. This problem is typically solved by draining the headers of water or flushing them with fresh water.

The biofouling reduction apparatus of this apparatus comprises a suitable source of treatment additive (such as dosing chamber 325), an associated controller 331, a side stream 327 of water to the dosing chamber, flow connectors (collectively indicated at 329) extending between the dosing chamber and points along the piping and pipeline circuit. The dosing chamber includes valves (not shown) for controlling selective delivery of treatment additive along the flow connectors.

One of the flow connectors extends to the inlet 307. To help contain the treatment additive at the inlet, a generally cylindrical baffle or caisson 335 extends around the inlet and restricts the flow of water past the inlet. Another of the flow connectors 329 extends to the piping downstream of the secondary source of water under pressure to protect the relatively large diameter piping 305. Further flow connectors are provided at points along the pipeline circuit 315.

In operation, the dosing chamber 325 and flow connectors 329 deliver treatment additive comprising both oxidizing agent and copper ions to the inlet 307 and the point downstream of the secondary source of water. The chamber and other flow connectors deliver treatment additive comprising only oxidizing agent to the points along the pipeline circuit. The controller 331 controls the operation of the dosing chamber and the associated valving to provide treatment additive of a predetermined composition at a predetermined dosage and for a predetermined time for sequential target dosing of the treatment additive. This technique is particularly effective for marine fire systems in that there may be several pipeline circuits, one for each deck or floor of a ship or offshore rig, with each circuit having a number of treatment addition points.

While a number of specific facilities have been described; namely, a desalinization plant l.a power plant 101, a water injection facility 201 and marine fire water system 301, the biofouling reduction apparatus and method of this invention could be used in any facility utilizing water carrying biological organisms tending to grow within these 16 facilities and adversely affect operation. Indeed, this apparatus and method is usable with any liquid, not just water, carrying biological organisms requiring treatment and any facility having one or more pieces of equipment such as sulfate removal or ultrafiltration membranes requiring protection.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and the other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above.constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a S. limiting sense.

V. Throughout this specification and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprises" and "comprising" are used in a nonexclusive sense.

This application is divided from our copending application 69415/96 and the entire disclosure in the complete specification and claims of that application is by this cross-reference incorporated into the present specification.

It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents forms part of the common general .knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other

Claims (11)

1. 2. The liquid piping circuit of claim 1, further including a plurality of end use devices and a plurality of flow connectors, one for each end use device, with the controller providing selective and sequential delivery of treatment additive from the source of treatment additive to said first point, and then to the piping upstream of each of such end use devices to inhibit growth of biological organisms in each of the end use devices. H: \mbourke\Keep\Speci\36807-99 SPECI.doc 05/07/01 18
2. 3. A method of preventing biofouling of a liquid piping circuit circulating liquid containing biological organisms tending to foul the circuit, with at least one end use device in the circuit utilising the liquid, the method including: providing piping having an inlet to a source of liquid carrying biological organisms and at least one end use device utilising the liquid in serial flow arrangement with the inlet; continuously flowing the liquid through the piping; providing a source of treatment additive including an oxidising agent for inhibiting growth of biological organisms in the liquid and flow connectors 15 defining flow connections independent of the piping extending between the source of treatment additive and multiple points along the piping; and delivering treatment additive from the source to at least two points along the piping via connections 20 independent of the piping, the first points being adjacent the inlet and the second point being upstream of the end use device, wherein the delivery of treatment additive is done selectively and sequentially from the source of treatment additive in doses to said first point along the 25 piping and then to said second point along the piping for inhibiting growth of biological organisms in the piping between the first and second points and in the end use device.
3. 4. A liquid piping circuit for flow of liquid requiring treatment by a treatment additive including an oxidising agent which has a treatment effectiveness which decreases with time as the liquid flows along the piping circuit, an end use device along the circuit utilising the liquid; the circuit including: piping having an inlet to a source of liquid requiring treatment by a process treatment additive; a pump conveying the liquid along the piping; H:\mbourke\Keep\Speci\36807-99 SPECI.doc 05/07/01 19 at least one end use device connected to the piping utilising the liquid in serial flow arrangement with the inlet; a source of treatment additive including an oxidising agent, which additive is subject to losing its treatment effectiveness with the passage of time, delivering the additive to at least two points along the piping, the first being adjacent the inlet and the second being upstream of the end use device; flow connectors defining flow connections independent of the piping extending between the source of treatment additive and the points along the piping; and a dosage delivery mechanism for selectively and sequentially delivering doses of the treatment additive 15 from the source thereof via the flow connectors to the first point along the piping and then to the second point for inhibiting the growth of biological organisms in the piping between the first and second points and in the end use device. 20 5. A method of treating liquid in a liquid piping :circuit with a treatment additive including an oxidising *e*o agent which has a treatment effectiveness which decreases with time as the liquid flows along the piping circuit, the piping circuit including an end use device utilising 25 the liquid, the method including: providing liquid piping having an inlet to a source of liquid which needs to be treated by a treatment additive which has a treatment effectiveness which decreases with time, and at least one end use device utilising the liquid in serial flow arrangement with the inlet; delivering treatment additive from a single source thereof in doses to at least two points along the piping, the first being adjacent the inlet and the second being adjacent the end use device; and selectively and sequentially delivering doses of the treatment additive from the source thereof to the H:\mbourke\Keep\Speci\36807-99 SPECI.doc 05/07/01 20 *o •ooo a oo go first point along the piping and then to the second point independently of the piping for inhibiting the growth of biological organisms in the piping between the first and second points and in the end use device.
4. 6. A process liquid treatment mechanism for treating liquid flowing in a liquid piping circuit having an inlet to a source of liquid requiring treatment and a plurality of end use devices connected in serial flow arrangement to the piping utilising the liquid, the mechanism including: a dosage delivery mechanism receiving treatment additive including an oxidising agent from a source thereof; flow connectors defining flow connections independent of the piping extending between the dosage 15 delivery mechanism and points along the piping; with the dosage delivering mechanism including valving for selectively and sequentially directing a predetermined dosage of treatment additive from the source thereof to a predetermined flow connector during a 20 predetermined period of time, and a delivery device for flowing the treatment additive along the flow connector under pressure to the respective point along the piping; and a controller controlling the operation of the 25 valving to selectively and sequentially deliver said predetermined dosage of the treatment additive to each of said points along the piping in a predetermined pattern of delivery.
5. 7. The liquid piping circuit of any one of claims 1, 2, 4 or 6, wherein the oxidising agent is hydrogen peroxide, ozone or chlorine.
6. 8. The method of claim 3 or claim 5, wherein the oxidising agent is hydrogen peroxide, ozone or chlorine.
7. 9. The liquid piping circuit of any one of claims 1, 2, 4 or 6, wherein the treatment additive for said first point along the piping further includes copper ions. The method of claim 3 or claim 5, wherein the 7 H:;\mbourke\Keep\Speci\36807-99 SPECI.doc 05/07/01 21 treatment additive for said first point along the piping further includes copper ions.
8. 11. A liquid piping circuit substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. 12. A method of preventing biofouling of a liquid piping circuit substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
10. 13. A method of treating liquid in a liquid piping circuit with a treatment additive substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
11. 14. A process liquid treatment mechanism for treating liquid flowing in a liquid piping circuit substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. *o Dated this 5th day of July 2001 BAKER HUGHES LIMITED By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK 20 Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia S H:\mbourke\Keep\Speci\36807-99 SPECIdoc 05/07/01