Biofouling heat exchangers. A Neptune project.

Research Project, 2018

EPFF uses weak electromagnetism to prevent or reduce biofilm in pipes for drinking water and beverages, reducing or removing the need for harmful chemicals that are otherwise used. They have identified marine and coastal heat exchangers as a promising new market segment for their technology. Such heat exchangers are exposed internally to sea water which causes fouling from microbes (biofilm) and larger sea organisms. Such biofouling reduces the efficiency of heat exchangers, making it necessary to clean or replace them regularly. If biofouling can be reduced, large savings would be possible in terms of energy, cleaning chemicals and maintenance.