Title of Invention	AN APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATION OF SCALING POTENTIAL OF MODERATELY HARD WATER.
Abstract	An apparatus for estimation of the scaling potential of moderately hard water either individually or collectively comprising means to provide accelerated scaling process, means to provide adjustable flow rate of water from the feed water tank (1) to the collection tank (9), a dosing line (11), heating element (12) and controller means (7,8). (FIG.1)

Full Text

Field of Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for estimating the scaling potential of moderately hard water with respect to varying parameters either individually or collectively. More particularly the invention relates to an apparatus adapted to estimate the scaling potential of water through variation of temperature and pH and variation of total hardness, alkalinity and total dissolved solids. Background of Invention Scale formation, especially calcium scale formation, is a universal phenomenon, which is frequently found in closed type (like boiler, feed-water line), open type and mixed type water body/systems Scaling is a function of five parameters namely pH, temperature, total hardness, alkalinity and total dissolved solids. In addition certain constructional features like constrictions and bends enhance scale formation. Scaling is a complex phenomenon and interactions among parameters depend on typical water body/system. However, there exists no standard method for securing scaling data. Often on-site method is followed placing "coupons" at critical point, which is highly time consuming. At present the study of the impact due to combined variation of critical parameters is virtually impossible. Only way to study the effect of individual parameters on scaling in the laboratory is to carry out multiple tests through different methods/equipment such as: Drawbacks of known art The main disadvantage of the presently available apparatus for estimating the scaling potential of water is that there exists no means to study the combined effect of the aforesaid parameters. Another disadvantage is that carrying out tests in different test set-up/apparatus for analyzing individual scaling parameters is extremely cumbersome, costly and time consuming. A further disadvantage is that there exists no unified laboratory method of obtaining scaling data, therefore, data is generated in a discrete manner. One more disadvantage is that no single apparatus exits for studying variation in all the major parameters on scaling, either individually or collectively. The other disadvantage is the development of individual process simulator is extremely difficult. Thus there is a need to provide an apparatus for studying the impact of the combined variation of critical scaling parameters or the effect of individual parameters on scaling in moderately hard water in a reduced time. Objects of invention The basic object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, which is capable of estimating scaling parameters of water either taking into account all parameters collectively or individually. Another object of the present invention is to estimate the scaling potential of water through variation of temperature and pH of water on flow and variation of inherent total hardness, alkalinity and total dissolved solids. A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, which is compatible for studying the impact of variation of all the major parameters on scaling individually or collectively. One more object of the present invention is to serve the purpose of determining the effectiveness of various generic and non-generic scale inhibitors in a variable scaling environment. The other object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that would be useful as a decision making tool for necessary preventive and corrective treatment of water while predicting the behaviour of water. Summary of invention Thus according to main aspects of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for estimation of the scaling potential of moderately hard water either taking into account all parameters individually or collectively comprising: (i) means to provide accelerated scaling process; (ii) means to provide adjustable flow rate of water from the feed water tank to the collection tank; (iii) a dosing line connected to the said feed water tank; (iv) heating element provided in the feed water tank; (v) controller means connected to the feed water tank; wherein the scaling potential of the water is estimated at varying parameters selected from pH, temperature, total dissolved solids/hardness and the like by evaluating the amount of scales deposited in the said means to provide accelerated scaling process when the water flows from the feed water tank to the collection tank through said means. Detailed description of invention The apparatus of the present invention comprises a feed-water tank adapted for the storing the water, whose scaling parameters are required to be estimated. The feed-water tank is provided with means to provide accelerated scaling process, which is glass coil (s) of very small aperture (2 to 4 mm). The feed-water flows through this glass coil by the action of gravity to the constant temperature bath. The glass coil is provided with curvatures at certain points adapted to offer resistance to the flow of water thus enhancing the scale formation. A stirrer has also been incorporated in the tank for stirring the water whenever inhibitors or acids are added to it. A dosing line provided with the feed-water tank is adapted to add inhibitors, acids, base etc. to the feed-water. The feed-water tank is provided with a heating element adapted for maintaining different temperatures of the feed-water in the tank. The estimation apparatus is provided with controller means comprising temperature controller, which is adapted to obtain differential temperature between the constant temperature bath and feed-water tank accelerating scale formation. The constant temperature bath is also adapted for effluent temperature of water between room temperature and boiling point of water. The said controller means is further provided with pH controlling arrangement adapted for maintaining different values of pH in the feed-water tank. The means to provide adjustable flow rate of water from the feed water tank to the collection tank is a rubber tubing at the junction joining the glass coil line with the feed-water line controls the flow rate of the water to the constant temperature bath. An add-on component called the pH controller is incorporated in the apparatus adapted to control the pH of the feed-water in the tank. A collection tank with the provision to recycle the water to the feed-water tank is adapted to collect the water coming from the feed-water tank via the constant temperature bath. The temperature controller, the pH controller and the dosing line vary the internal conditions (water properties) and external conditions (temperature and pH) to generate different scaling data. The estimation is carried out by measuring the amount of scale deposited in the glass coil. The coils are dried and weighed before and after each test determining the amount of scale formation. The parameters are evaluated by both variation of (pH, temperature etc.) and variations of total hardness, alkalinity and total dissolved solids. After passage of water through pre-weighed coils, the coils are dried and weighed. Consequently, accelerated scaling rate is calculated. Scaling phenomenon gets simulated since scaling is basically precipitation of dissolved material on a surface. High surface area per unit volume of water accelerates scaling process. Comparison of scaling potential can be done for either different streams of water or through parametric variation of a single stream of water. The degree of scaling can be gauged either by comparison of different stream of water or by comparing them with any normal (non-scale forming) water. Though scaling is a strong function of pH, temperature, total hardness, alkalinity and total dissolved solids, all these parameters are not fully independent parameters. Alkalinity is proportional to pH and total dissolved solids are proportional to total hardness. The combined effect of the parameters signifying comparison of scaling potential with different sets of data like different values of hardness, alkalinity and TDS of water collected from a recirculating water system at different points of time are given in Table-1. Multi parametric variation accompanied by changes in temperatures and pH in the estimation of the scaling potential is given in Table-2. The best possible efficiency in estimating the scale formation potential of water is achieved using the apparatus in the temperature range of 10 °C to 80 °C. Brief description of accompanying figures Figure 1 illustrates the apparatus for estimation of scaling potential. Figure 2 is a graph of temperature differential vs. accelerated scaling rate. Figure 3 is a graph of scale inhibitor vs. accelerated scaling rate. Figure 4 is a graph of temperature differential vs. accelerated scaling rate. In figure 1 feed-water tank (1) is provided with a stirrer (2) for stirring the water whenever inhibitors or acids are added to the water to vary the TDS. The feed-water line (3) from the feed-water tank (1) is connected to the glass coils (4) immersed in the constant temperature bath (5). The rubber tubing (6), which controls the flow rate connects the coils (4) with the feed-water line (3). The feed-water tank (1) is provided with a heating element (12) adapted for maintaining different temperatures of the feed-water in the tank (1). The temperature controller (7) and pH controller (8) is connected to both feed-water tank (1) and constant temperature bath (5) and provide variable temperature and pH values. The collection tank (9) is provided with a recycle line (10) connecting the collection tank (9) to the feed-water tank (1). A dosing line (11) in the feed-water tank (1) adds inhibitors, acid, base etc. In figure 2 a graph illustrates scaling rates at various differential temperatures. The x-axis represents the temperature differential in °C and the y-axis represents the accelerated scaling rate in gm/m3. The accelerated scaling rate is fast till the temperature is 30 °C and after that value of the scaling rate comes to a saturation point. The graph indicates that higher the differential temperature higher is the scaling rate. In figure 3 the impact of scale inhibitor on accelerated scaling is described. The x-axis represents the scale inhibitor in ppm and the y-axis represents accelerated scaling rate in gm/m3. The scaling rate is indirectly proportional to ppm of the scale inhibitor. There is a sharp decrease in the scale rate up to 20 ppm after which the rate slows down flattening the curve. Figure 4 describes the variation in scaling rate due to temperature differentials and scale inhibitors at 10 ppm. Here x-axis represents temperature differentials in °C and y-axis represents accelerated scaling rate in gm/m3. At 10 °C the scaling is just above 0.8, which gradually increases till 1.2 at the temperature of about 30 °C. After that with the increase of temperature rate of scaling starts decreasing. Calculation Accelerated scaling rate = (final weight-initial weight)/volume of water passed The key variables are: i) Variation and control of flow from feed-water tank. ii) Variation and control of temperature in feed-water tank. iii) Variation and control of temperature in constant temperature bath. iv) Variation and control of pH in feed-water tank. v) Variation in acid/base dosing. vi) Variation in inhibitor chemical dosing. vii) Recycling of water. We claim 1) An apparatus for estimation of the scaling potential of moderately hard water either taking into account all parameters individually or collectively comprising: (i) means to provide accelerated scaling process; (ii) means to provide adjustable flow rate of water from the feed water tank to the collection tank; (iii) a dosing line connected to the said feed water tank; (iv) heating element provided in the feed water tank; (v) controller means connected to the feed water tank; wherein the scaling potential of the water is estimated at varying parameters selected from pH, temperature, total dissolved solids/hardness and the like by evaluating the amount of scales deposited in the said means to provide accelerated scaling process when the water flows from the feed water tank to the collection tank through said means. 2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means providing accelerated scaling rate comprises at least one glass coil with definite curvatures at certain points adapted to offer resistance to the flow of water. 3) An apparatus as claimed in claims 1 to 2 wherein means providing adjustable flow rate of water from feed water tank to the collection tank comprises rubber tubing at the junction joining the glass coil line with the feed-water line. 4) An apparatus as claimed in claims 1 to 3 wherein the heating element incorporated in the feed-water tank is adapted to vary the heat content of the water. 5) An apparatus as claimed in claims 1 to 4 wherein the controller means comprising temperature controller is adapted to obtain differential temperature between the constant temperature bath and feed-water tank accelerating scale formation. 6) An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the controller means is further provided with pH controlling arrangement adapted for maintaining different values of pH in the feed-water tank. 7) An apparatus as claimed in claims 1 to 6 wherein the feed-water tank provided with a dosing line adapted to add inhibitor, acid and base to the water. 8) An apparatus as claimed in claims 1 to 7 adapted to determine the effectiveness of generic and non-generic scale inhibitors. 9) An apparatus adapted for estimating the scaling potential of water through variation of temperature, pH of water on flow and variation of inherent total dissolved solids, alkalinity and total hardness. 10)An apparatus substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to accompanying figures. An apparatus for estimation of the scaling potential of moderately hard water either individually or collectively comprising means to provide accelerated scaling process, means to provide adjustable flow rate of water from the feed water tank (1) to the collection tank (9), a dosing line (11), heating element (12) and controller means (7,8).

Documents:

00844-kol-2004-abstract.pdf

00844-kol-2004-claims.pdf

00844-kol-2004-correspondence.pdf

00844-kol-2004-description (complete).pdf

00844-kol-2004-drawings.pdf

00844-kol-2004-form 1.pdf

00844-kol-2004-form 18.pdf

00844-kol-2004-form 2.pdf

00844-kol-2004-form 3.pdf

00844-kol-2004-letter patent.pdf

00844-kol-2004-pa.pdf

844-KOL-2004-(01-02-2012)-FORM-27.pdf

844-KOL-2004-FORM 27.pdf