Methods and systems for treating biological contaminants

Abstract

Unwanted material in water, such as Legionella and scale, may be treated using a combination of technologies. Components of each technology may be controlled using a databus, such as an Internet-of-things (IoT) databus. An additional advantage of the treatment technologies is an increase in the efficiency of heat transfer components, such as cooling towers, and a related reduction in carbon footprint.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for treating unwanted material in water comprising:
 a plurality of components configured to generate a mixture of hypochlorous and hypobromous acids to control the presence and growth of the unwanted material in the water;   a plasma energy generation subsection and a cell structure subsection operable to generate and apply plasma energy to the water to form reactive and molecular species in the water to treat the unwanted material, the cell structure comprising one or more plasma cells and an electrolytic, biocidal treatment chamber; and   a control system for controlling the plurality of components, plasma energy generation subsection and cell structure subsection.   
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1  wherein the unwanted material is composed of at least biological contaminants. 
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 2  wherein the biological contaminants is composed of at least  Legionella pneumophila.    
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 1  wherein the unwanted material comprises scale. 
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more plasma cells comprises at least a main body layer, a negative electrode layer, a fluid channel where the water may flow, a first dielectric insulating layer, first and second sealant layers, a positive electrode layer, a second dielectric insulating layer and a protective spacer layer configured between the first and second insulating layers. 
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more plasma cells comprises at least a transparent window layer. 
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 5  wherein the main body layer and the protective spacer layer are composed of a plastic. 
     
     
         8 . The system as in  claim 6  wherein the transparent window layer is composed of an acrylic. 
     
     
         9 . The system as in  claim 1  further comprising a manifold connected to each of the one or more plasma cells and configured to allow the water to pass through into a fluid channel layer of a respective plasma cell. 
     
     
         10 . The system as in  claim 10  wherein the manifold comprises a main body composed of an acetal-based plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The system as in  claim 1  further comprising isolation means for isolating the one or more plasma cells from changes in a flow rate of the water. 
     
     
         12 . The system as in  claim 11  wherein the isolation means comprises a buffer tank. 
     
     
         13 . The system as in  claim 13  wherein the water comprises cooling tower water. 
     
     
         14 . A system for treating unwanted material in water comprising a plasma energy generation subsection and a cell structure subsection operable to generate and apply plasma energy to the water to form reactive and molecular species in the water to treat the unwanted material, the cell structure comprising one or more plasma cells and an electrolytic, biocidal treatment chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The system as in  claim 14  wherein the unwanted material comprises at least  Legionella pneumophila  or scale. 
     
     
         16 . The system as in  claim 14  wherein each of the one or more plasma cells comprises at least a first dielectric insulating layer, a second dielectric insulating layer and a protective spacer layer configured between the first and second insulating layers. 
     
     
         17 . The system as in  claim 14  further comprising a manifold connected to each of the one or more plasma cells and configured to allow the water to pass through into a fluid channel layer of a respective plasma cell. 
     
     
         18 . The system as in  claim 17  wherein the manifold comprises a main body composed of an acetal-based plastic. 
     
     
         19 . The system as in  claim 14  further comprising isolation means for isolating the one or more plasma cells from changes in a flow rate of the water. 
     
     
         20 . A method for treating unwanted material in water comprising:
 generating a mixture of hypochlorous and hypobromous acids to control the presence and growth of the unwanted material in the water;   generating and applying plasma energy to the water to form reactive and molecular species in the water to treat the unwanted material, generating and applying biocidal ions to the water; and   a control system for controlling the plurality of components, plasma energy generation subsection and cell structure subsection.