ALTIVIA - Application Detail (Biofilm Removal)

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Biofilm Removal

Biofilm can cause major problems in both drinking water and industrial processes, reducing plant efficiencies, increasing cost of operations and creating an environment in systems potentially hazardous to human health.

Biofilm or slime as it is commonly called is the extracellular polymeric substances produced by bacteria along with the bacteria that produce it. Biofilm may also contain marginally soluble salt particles, silt, corrosion products and other particulate material trapped under or in the slime layer.

The formation of biofilm, the nature of biofilm and the difficulty in inactivating biofilm bacteria is well known. Both oxidizing and non-oxidizing biocides are used to remove biofilm depending on the severity of the problem and the end use application. The effectiveness of various oxidizing and non-oxidizing biocides varies considerably towards biofilm control and removal. In general, non-oxidizing biocides are not very effective at controlling biofilm when compared to oxidizing biocides. Experts from the Center of Biofilm Research at Montana State University, Bozeman, have theorized that the stronger the oxidant, as measured by ORP, the lower the effectiveness toward biofilm removal and control. Chlorine dioxide a very effective solution for control, prevention and removal of biofilm has a relatively low ORP (0.95V) as compared to chlorine (1.49V), bromine (1.33V), or ozone (2.07V).

Sub Applications

Drinking Water

Industrial Process Water