Nano-sized materials are widely used in our day to day life for water disinfection, drug application, cosmetics, domestic appliances, paints etc. In industrial coolants, nano-sized particles (NPs) can cause operational problems such as loss of heat exchanger efficiency and blocking of membrane used in micro/ultra-filtration. BARC has developed and tested an electrochemical filter (ECF) for removal of suspended NPs. An Electro Chemical Filter (ECF) is a device wherein under an applied potential gradient the finely suspended oxide particles of sub - micron size are attracted to the electrode surface because of their surface charge characteristics and are trapped. 
Unlike a conventional filter, a single ECF can effect the NP filtration irrespective of the charge on the NP suspended in media without much flow restriction and back pressure development.

SALIENT FEATURES

• The ECF uses graphite felt disks for electrodes, which do not affect the chemical parameters.
• Graphite felts can be cleaned and regenerated by simple heat treatment.
• ECF is independent of particle charge and it is superior to other alternative methods of NP removal.
• Minimum flow restriction and back pressure development.
• Efficient removal of non-reactive (polymeric) silica.

APPLICATIONS

• Heat exchanger systems.
• Power plant industries.
• Water treatment plants.
• Bacterial load reduction from large aqueous bodies in any industry.

Nano-sized materials are widely used in our day to day life for water disinfection, drug application, cosmetics, domestic appliances, paints etc. In industrial coolants, nano-sized particles (NPs) can cause operational problems such as loss of heat exchanger efficiency and blocking of membrane used in micro/ultra-filtration. Release of NPs into the environment is considered a health hazard for humans and other animals. BARC has developed and tested an electrochemical filter (ECF) for removal of suspended NPs.

SALIENT FEATURES

• The ECF uses graphite felt disks for electrodes, which do not affect the chemical parameters.
• Graphite felts can be cleaned and regenerated by simple heat treatment.
• ECF is independent of particle charge and it is superior to other alternative methods of NP removal.
• Minimum flow restriction and back pressure development.
• Efficient removal of non-reactive (polymeric) silica.

SPECIFICATIONS

Nano suspension : 1-10 NTU, 100-400 nm
Filtering media : fibrous graphite felt
Flow rate through the filter : 1300 l/h max.
Size : 168 mm(OD of ECF Shell), 855 mm (Length) 
Working temperature : 20-40 ⁰C.
Pressure : 1-5 kg/cm².

For large size Particles (> 1000 µm), separate pre-filter may be used prior to ECF. Scale up of the technology to suit industry requirement is possible.

Construction Materials:

• Piping and flanges: Medium corrosion resistant steel
• Electrode material: Fibrous graphite felt
• Electrode casing & support material : Teflon

INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED

The job involves high precision fabrication, assembly and Quality Assurance testing. Suitable well equipped workshop required.

• Space Required
  • Space occupied by ECF with stand ( L x W x H ): approx. 01 sq. mtr
    
    
• Power supply
  • Power supply: 200 V, 10 A DC

• Manpower
  • 2 mechanical engineers and 04 technicians required

FIELD OF APPLICATION

• Heat exchanger systems
• Power plant industries
• Water treatment plants
• Bacterial load reduction