A renewable energy company recently installed ultrasonic anti-scaling transducers along the fluid conduits of its geothermal power plant. Management hypothesized that high-frequency sound waves from these devices would prevent mineral deposits from adhering to the interior of heat exchanger pipes, thereby eliminating the need for periodic chemical cleaning shutdowns. Over the subsequent six-month evaluation period, the plant operated continuously without requiring a single descaling shutdown, and net electricity output remained constant. Management concluded that the ultrasonic transducers were directly responsible for preventing mineral scale accumulation during this period.
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens management's conclusion?
- An adjacent geothermal well drawing from the identical fluid reservoir, operating without ultrasonic transducers, experienced severe mineral scaling that required three cleaning shutdowns during the same six-month period.Cevap
- BThe geothermal fluid drawn by the plant contained significantly lower concentrations of dissolved calcium and silica over the past six months than in any previous operational period.
- CUltrasonic anti-scaling transducers consume significantly less auxiliary power during operation than chemical circulation pumps.
- DPlant engineers conducted regular inspections of the external pipe housing throughout the test period to check for mechanical wear.
- EThe total financial cost of purchasing the transducers was fully offset by the revenue generated from continuous electricity output during the six months.