Sustaining the bottom line

To continue progress toward achieving its sustainability goals, the University of Iowa approached Ashland to improve their environmentally-friendly cooling water treatment programs. The University sought to reduce chemical usage, handling, and bulk chemical deliveries on campus, as well as reduce chlorinated tolyltriazole generation.

Ashland proposed its patented Sonoxide™ ultrasonic water treatment system to control bacteria rather than relying solely upon sodium hypochlorite (bleach), which the university was previously using. The patented Sonoxide technology works by passing cooling water through an ultrasonic chamber, where bacterial cells are exposed to a combination of low-power,high frequency ultrasound and micro-bubble aeration. When exposed to the Sonoxide system, some bacteria cells die while others become impaired enough that over time, overall bacteria levels are reduced and biofilm is removed within the total cooling water system.

Ultimately, two Sonoxide B-106 ultrasonic water treatment units were installed at the University’s North Chilled Water Plant on cooling towers 1 and 2. The plant has operated its water treatment program utilizing Sonoxide for more than three years – which has provided acceptable microbiological results as evidenced by constant low levels of bacteria regularly monitored by both Ashland and University personnel.

The University’s direct benefits of the application of Sonoxide included: reduced corrosion inhibitor usage by 25% annually; reduced sulfuric acid usage by 20% annually; and reduced chemical handling and bulk deliveries on campus. Additionally, the University has realized savings from Ashland’s overall water treatment program, including a six-month payback on the initial-year’s investment for the Sonoxide Ultrasonic water treatment system.

The patented Sonoxide™ water treatment system uses ultrasonic waves to control microbial levels in industrial water supplies, and has earned Ashland and its customers numerous environmental awards for its positive environmental impact.