Case Study from HydroFLOW Chile
Seawater intake cleaning interval at a desalination plant
The seawater intake cleaning interval at a desalination plant in Chile was short, because mussels and marine organisms kept building up inside its seawater suction lines. Fouling regrew after every clean, and chemical dosing was rejected on both cost and environmental grounds. On 28 November 2024 a HydroFLOW® Custom i20 inch unit was installed on the Line 4 seawater suction line, with Line 6 left untreated as a control. Four inspections were carried out over 223 days. Line 4 ran the full period with no cleaning and no chemicals and kept its flow, while the untreated line continued to foul.
The Challenge
- The seawater intake cleaning interval was short as mussels and marine organisms built up
- Blockages reduced flow and affected operational efficiency
- Fouling regrew, so frequent maintenance was needed
- Chemical dosing risked higher cost and environmental impact
- The plant wanted a controlled comparison, not just an observation
The Solution
- Unit installed: One HydroFLOW® Custom i20 inch unit
- Installation point: Line 4 seawater suction line
- Installed: 28 November 2024
- Trial: 223 days, four inspections, untreated Line 6 as control
Two lines on the same seawater made a direct test possible. The unit went on Line 4 while Line 6 was left untreated, and both lines were inspected four times over 223 days. Treatment prevented marine biofouling from establishing in the treated line, so the seawater intake cleaning interval on Line 4 ran the full period without cleaning or chemical dosing.
