Do you experience useless biocide treatments that just can’t seem to eliminate the problem in your cooling towers?
Let 𝐃𝐫. 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐏𝐫𝐨 unveil the critical truth about biofilm and how it could silently jeopardize your entire cooling system. Let’s first understand the 5 stages of biofilm formation!
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟏 - 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
In this phase, planktonic (free-floating) bacteria in the water come into contact with a surface (e.g., pipes, heat exchangers, or other components of a cooling system). Initially, the attachment is weak and reversible. Bacteria may use surface properties, such as available nutrients, hydrophobicity, or attachment sites to begin adhering to the surface. During this stage, the bacteria can still be dislodged from the surface by water flow or external forces.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟐 - 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
As the bacteria settle onto the surface, they begin to produce extracellular polymeric substances (𝐄𝐏𝐒), a slimy layer made up of proteins, DNA, and polysaccharides. The production of EPS increases the bacteria's ability to stick firmly to the surface, turning the attachment into an irreversible bond.
*** At this point, the bacteria are 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 to remove, even with high flow rates or mechanical cleaning. The EPS matrix acts as a protective housing, helping the bacteria avoid environmental stresses and offering resistance to treatments like biocides.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟑 - 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Once the bacteria are securely attached, the biofilm begins to mature. The initial colony of bacteria starts to grow and multiply, forming multi-layered clusters. These clusters of bacteria are embedded within a thickening EPS Matrix. During maturation, the biofilm becomes more structured, with bacteria taking on different roles and occupying various niches within the colony. The outer layers may experience more exposure to the surrounding environment, while the deeper layers remain protected. This phase also allows the biofilm to integrate other materials, such as debris from the water or other bacteria, contributing to the increasing complexity of the biofilm.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟒 - 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐈
In the next stage of maturation, the biofilm continues to grow in three dimensions. Instead of just expanding in a single layer, the biofilm develops more intricate, three-dimensional structures, often appearing as clusters or towers. This growth allows the biofilm to cover a larger area of the surface. The bacteria within the biofilm may also undergo genetic changes, adapting to their new environment, with some bacteria in the outer layers becoming more metabolically active while others deep inside the biofilm may become dormant. The structure becomes more resistant to external forces (like water flow or cleaning agents) and continues to provide a safe environment for the bacteria.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟓- 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
As the biofilm reaches a critical mass or becomes overcrowded, bacteria within the biofilm may begin to disperse into the surrounding water as planktonic (free-floating) bacteria. This is a natural part of the biofilm life cycle and allows the bacteria to spread to new surfaces and colonize other parts of the system. The dispersal is facilitated by the secretion of that break down the EPS matrix, releasing bacteria back into the water. These free-floating bacteria can now travel through the system, potentially starting new biofilm colonies on other surfaces. This process helps ensure the biofilm’s persistence and spread, making it more challenging to fully eradicate from a system.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬:
Over time, biofilms can reduce heat transfer efficiency, cause corrosion, block pipes, and create ideal conditions for harmful bacteria like Legionella to thrive. Their resilience makes them incredibly difficult to eliminate once they’ve taken hold. We apply bio-dispersant to address biofilm issues effectively. Call a specialist now to check your cooling tower and resolve your biofilm or corrosion issues before they worsen—you could save on productivity, avoid costly repairs, and improve your system’s performance.
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