The research on the pulsed arc electrohydraulic discharge and its application in treatment of the ballast water

Abstract

Since the tech of Pulsed Arc Electrohydraulic Discharge (PAED) found wide application, immense amounts of concrete research have been put into use on seawater treatment. When the breakdown of electrodes submerged in ballast water, strong pressure wave, ultraviolet ray, active groups, etc. can be generated, accompanying with the distinct electrohydraulic effect. Therefore, it shows the best performance on the inactivation of bacterium and seaweeds lives in the seawater. The experiment of the PAED reactor with different volume (from 10 L to 2 T) was performed step by step. The PAED power supply is 1 kJ/pulse and discharge frequency is 0.5 Hz. The best performance for the inactivation of bacterium and seaweeds by PAED is related to the conductivity of ballast water, the capacity of the treatment cell and the pulse energy. The inactivation mechanisms of PAED on ballast water will be discussed based on the electrohydraulic effect. • The technology of PAED which was applied on seawater treatment. • Pre-breakdown process is closely related to the conductivity of the water. • Experiment of PAED reactor with different volume was performed step by step. • When capacitance increases, effect of electrohydraulic cavitation will be higher. • The sterilization efficiency is proportional to the energy accumulation.