George Hutchinson*
*WaterIQ Technologies, 3075 West Bridger Road, Wilson, WY, 83014
(george@wateriqtech.com)

The latest ultrasonic algae control technology eliminates algae growth without chemicals. The technique works on 95% of known algae species by causing internal damage to the cells, causing them to lose buoyancy and thus light availability, or to lose natural internal cell wall protection from bacterial attack. This simplifies irrigation without having to worry about chemicals impacting the harvest. A single sound-producing head can control green algae and diatoms out to 150 m radially (~17.5 acres) and blue-green algae with gas vesicles out to 400 m radially (~120 acres). The process uses thousands of frequencies generated with enough sound volume to cause internal damage to the various types of algae. The process is called critical structural resonance and operates in two ultrasonic bandwidths where this phenomenon occurs in these algae types. Power consumption is less than $100 per year and can be delivered at 24, 120, or 240 volts AC or with solar power. Viticulture irrigation practitioners can hear the impact and benefit ultrasound can bring to their irrigation water quality while minimizing the use of chemicals and lowering operational costs.

Funding Support: Water IQ Technologies