Conditions Favouring Growth of Fresh Water Biofouling in Hydraulic Canals and the Impact of Biofouling on Pipe Flows
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Conditions Favouring Growth of Fresh Water Biofouling in Hydraulic Canals and the Impact of Biofouling on Pipe Flows By Xiao Lin Li BEng(Hons.) Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters University of Tasmania October 2013 Declaration of Originality This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for a degree or diploma by the University or any other institution, except by way of background information and duly acknowledged in the thesis, and to the best of candidates knowledge and belief no material previously published or written by another person except where due acknowledgement is made in the text of the thesis. …………………………………… Xiao Lin Li Date: 12/10/2013 Statement Concerning Authority to Access This thesis may be made available for loan and limited copying in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968. …………………………………... Xiao Lin Li Date: 12/10/2013 ii Abstract Abstract Biofouling increases frictional resistance and slows the water flow in fresh water canals and pipes. It results in up to 10% reduction in the flow carrying capacity in hydropower canals in Tasmania, Australia. This project investigated the effect of colour on the growth of biofouling in open channels and the impact of biofouling in pipes and penstocks. The effect of substratum colour on the growth of biofouling was studied by submerging mild steel plates painted with four different coloured epoxy coatings in fresh water. The plates were placed in a concrete lined canal for a period of time to allow biofouling to grow. Results show that black was the favoured colour for the growth of biofouling whereas the white plates developed the least amount. The amount of biofouling increases progressively from white to grey to black at the settlement stage of biofouling. However, the effect of colour on the growth of biofouling became less significant when the biofouling was fully developed. It was found that the amount of light also affected the growth of biofouling. Under full sunlight and slow flow conditions(1 m/s), plates with lower total light intensity and lower UV light exhibited higher levels of biofouling. In addition to open channels, biofouling also causes head losses in cooling water pipes and penstocks in hydroelectric power stations. The influence of water quality on the growth of biofouling was investigated by analysing water quality data of eight lakes used for hydroelectric power generation. It was found that power stations with fewer biofouling problems in their cooling pipes use water with a higher pH value and dissolved oxygen level, while having lower water conductivity, water turbidity, iron, manganese, aluminium and nutrients. A new pipe rig was designed and built to investigate the impact of biofouling on pipe flows. Located in the hydraulics laboratory at the University of Tasmania, this consisted of a removable test section that was placed in a purpose built field test rig installed in a hydropower station canal. The pressure drop across the test section and velocity profiles under different flow rates were measured for both clean and fouled conditions. Results show that biofouling increased the head loss along the test section and changed the shape of the velocity profiles. This data did not fit the widely used Colebrook-White equation. iii Acknowledgements Acknowledgements I am sincerely grateful to my supervisors, Dr Jessica M. Walker (nee Andrewartha) and Dr Alan Henderson, for their expert advice, clear guidance and invaluable support throughout the candidature. Special thanks are due to Dr Jane E. Sargison for her encouragement and assistance for this study. I am also grateful to those who provided financial support for this project. My main scholarship was a UTAS Tasmanian Research Scholarship supplemented by a School Scholarship. The project was sponsored by the Australian Research Council and Hydro Tasmania. During this research, I have been fortunate in having valuable support from many people from Hydro Tasmania. Thanks are due to Angus Swindon, Daryl Polzin, Norm Cribbin and Joshua Kline. The field experiments were conducted in the Tarraleah Power Scheme, owned by Hydro Tasmania. Thanks are due to Martin Doyle, Darren Nichols, Stephen Kelly and Brett Nichols for the arrangement of the site visits and support during the field inspection. I would like to thank Alison Howman, Chris Livingston, Wayne Soutter and Jurgen Surendorff for supplying the water quality data. Thanks are given to Carolyn Maxwell for providing detailed comments and suggestions on the water data analysis results. I am indebted to all technical staff in the school for their assistance in performing the experiments. Thanks are due to Andrew Bylett, James Lamont and Peter Seward for building up the new pipe rigs in the hydraulics laboratory and on site. Thanks are given to David Morley and Brodie Coad for their assistance in the Engineering workshop. I am grateful to Justin Courtney and Max Fang for providing the IT support. Thanks are also due to Calverly Gerard, Sam Perkins and Dean Giosio for providing assistance in data acquisition and the setup of the new pipe rig. Thanks are given to other staff members in the school, especially Mary Dixon, who has provided assistance since the beginning of my candidature. I am grateful to Dr. Simon Wotherspoon for his assistance during the water data analysis. To my husband, Hui, thank you for your assistance and support of my study. I owe a lot to my children, Deborah and Frank. Thank you for your patience and understanding during my study. iv Contents Table of Contents Abstract.. .......................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ......................................................................................... iv Nomenclature ................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................................ 1 Chapter 2 Literature Review ....................................................................... 3 2.1 Biofouling in Fresh Water ................................................................................... 3 2.1.1 The Character of Biofouling ...................................................................................... 4 2.1.2 Skin Friction caused by Biofouling ............................................................................ 6 2.1.3 Biofouling in Tasmanian Hydropower Schemes ....................................................... 7 2.1.4 Methods of Biofouling Control ................................................................................... 9 2.1.4.1 Chemical Methods ......................................................................................................... 9 2.1.4.2 Physical Methods ......................................................................................................... 10 2.1.4.3 Coatings ....................................................................................................................... 12 2.2 Effect of Substratum Colour and Ambient Light Conditions on Biofouling ......... 13 2.2.1 Substratum Colour Effect ........................................................................................ 14 2.2.2 Light Effect on Biofouling ........................................................................................ 15 2.3 Effects of Water Quality and Physical Factors on Biofouling ............................ 16 2.3.1 Effect of Water Quality on Biofouling ...................................................................... 16 2.3.2 Impact of Physical Conditions on Biofouling ........................................................... 20 2.4 Turbulent Flow in Pipes .................................................................................... 22 2.4.1 Turbulent Flow in Pipes ........................................................................................... 22 2.4.1.1 Turbulent Flow in Smooth Pipes .................................................................................. 24 2.4.1.2 Turbulent Flow in Biofouled Pipes ................................................................................ 25 2.4.2 Turbulent Flow Measurement Techniques .............................................................. 30 2.5 Chapter Summary ............................................................................................ 33 v Contents Chapter 3 Effect of Substratum Colour and Ambient Light Conditions on Biofouling ................................................................................................... 34 3.1 Colour Effect on Biofouling ............................................................................... 36 3.1.1 Methodology ............................................................................................................ 36 3.1.1.1 Test Panels .................................................................................................................. 36 3.1.1.2 Site Trials Locations ..................................................................................................... 37 3.1.1.3 Sampling Position and Area ......................................................................................... 40 3.1.1.4 Colour Performance Grading ....................................................................................... 41 3.1.2 Site Trial in Transition No. 4 ...................................................................................