Why Is There Biofilm in Cooling Towers?

Why Is There Biofilm in Cooling Towers?

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If you’ve ever been around a natural body of water during warm weather, you may have observed a slimy layer of scum accumulating on the surface of rocks or other built structures. This slimy green layer is made up of bacteria, fungi, and algae, and is referred to as biofilm. 

Biological material can accumulate easily in nutrient-rich water. That is why cooling towers, which usually get their water from natural sources, can often contain layers of biofilm. 

What Is Biofilm? 

From a more scientific approach, biofilm is an incredibly stable and resilient method for microorganisms to live. It is defined as a surface-adhering growth of microbial cells, which live in an extracellular matrix structure they build themselves using proteins and other polymer molecules. This matrix, which has a gel-like consistency, can store water, air, and nutrients, and allows the community of microorganisms to stick to solid structures very tightly. 

Harms of Biofilm in Cooling Towers 

A type of biofouling, it can accumulate in the membranes of cooling towers and harm their efficiency. When too much buildup occurs, it can block water flow, and clog the pipes, which are integral to moving water in and out of the system. 

However, even a thin layer of biological matter can have effects on the efficiency of heat transfer. The gel-like matrix structure acts as an insulator, preventing the heat generated through industrial processes from being released to the cooling water. Just as a winter coat keeps our body heat from escaping into the atmosphere on a cold day, the layer of biological material traps the heat in cooling tower membranes, making them much less efficient.  

Factors That Affect Biofilm Development 

Cooling towers often provide perfect conditions for biofilm to accumulate. The factors supportive of biological growth include: 

  • Water temperature of 25-35­­o C (77-95oF) 
  • pH close to 7 (neutral) 
  • Plenty of exposure to sunlight 
  • Continuous aeration 
  • Presence of nutrients from the natural water source 
  • Surfaces that allow for matrix attachment 

All of these factors make cooling water towers the perfect home for microbiological cultivation but also shed light on ways to potentially control biofouling.  

Still Curious About Risks of Biofilm in Cooling Towers? 

Making sure your equipment is working its best is an important part of any industrial process. If you think you might be losing efficiency because of biofilm buildup, Ecolink is prepared to help. Please contact us today to learn more about our chemical solutions! 

What Are Some Water Cooling Anti-Corrosion Additives?

What Are Some Water Cooling Anti-Corrosion Additives?

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One of the biggest problems that water cooling systems can face is corrosion, which occurs when water interacts with the metals in the structure and causes it to deteriorate. The most common example is rust, which is the result of water oxidizing iron. Cooling water systems, especially those with large amounts of iron, can be susceptible to rust, but other types of metal can also corrode 

Just like garden tools that become brittle and weakened by rust, cooling systems can be greatly damaged. However, there are ways to mitigate this damage, such as including additives in the water to prevent corrosion.  

Examples of Anti Corrosion Additives 

Depending on the type of metal that you are defending, and the temperature and pH of the water, different chemical additives will be more effective. Here are a few examples of common chemicals used: 

  • Zinc 
  • Molybdate 
  • Polysolicate 
  • Polydiol 
  • Azoles 
  • Nitrate 
  • Polyphosphates 
  • Ortho-phosphates 

It should be noted that chromate was traditionally used as a steel anti-corrosion additive, however, it has been banned by the EPA because of its toxicity and environmental harms. For all the Julia Roberts fans out there, you might remember the villainous Chromium-6 (a derivative of chromate) from Erin Brockovich, which was used as a rust inhibitor for cooling towers and caused serious health problems for the residents of a nearby town.  

The real-life case of Anderson et al. vs Pacific Gas and Electric (which the movie is based on) was the largest settlement of a direct-action lawsuit in the history of the United States at that time in 1996. Many of the chemicals listed above were developed as safer alternatives. 

What Causes Corrosion 

Corrosion is a chemical process that involves the transfer of electrons. Free oxygen atoms contained in water remove electrons from the surface of the metal in a process known as oxidation. This process involves 3 parts: 

1. Anode: the metal from which electrons are being removed 

2. Cathode: the metal receiving excess electrons 

3. Electrolyte: the medium capable of transferring electrons, in this case, water with oxygen 

To satisfy their electronegativity, the oxygen atoms will remove electrons from the anode, and combined with water and oxygen, these electrons will become hydroxide ions (an ion is a molecule with a charge).  

Simultaneously, some of the oxygen will also dislodge metal ions from the cathode. These metal ion particles will combine with the hydroxide ions to form metal hydroxides, such as iron oxide (rust). This process makes corrosion a twofold danger; it deteriorates the metal and deposits new material which can create blockages. 

Most inhibitors work by creating a protective film over the anode or cathode, which can be the same metal. That way the free oxygen cannot penetrate to start the process. 

Interested in Cooling Water Anti Corrosion Additives? 

Understanding the risks of deterioration to a cooling water system may induce worry. However, here at Ecolink, we are dedicated to keeping your industrial systems working properly.  

For more information on additives for fighting corrosion, or to learn how to best protect your water-cooled system, please reach out today! 

What Is Cooling Water Biocide?

What Is Cooling Water Biocide?

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Cooling water systems are often dependent on large quantities of water, often obtained from natural sources. This means that all sorts of microorganisms may be found and can build up to cause harmful biofouling. This can have drastic effects on the flow of water, and decrease the efficiency of cooling by insulating the structures intended to spread heat to the water. 

One of the most effective methods of preventing the buildup of biological material is using cooling water biocides. 

Types of Biocide

Biocides can be organized into two categories: oxidating and non-oxidating. The former uses the destructive phenomena of oxidation, where electronegative atoms steal electrons from the outer layers of biological buildup. This destroys the outer cell layers, killing the organisms.  

Some examples of this kind of biocide include: 

  • Chlorine 
  • Bromine  
  • Iodine 
  • Ammonium 

Non-oxidizing biocides work through other more specific methods, though usually by inhibiting the reproduction of the microorganisms they are intended to target. A few examples would be: 

  • Bronopol 
  • Carbamates 
  • Glutaraldehyde 

Because these chemicals work differently than the oxidizing additives, they are often used conjointly to tackle a biological problem or to prevent buildup from occurring.  

How Biocide Is Administered 

There are several methods for administering biocides, which mainly depend on the scale of the operation, and the type of biocide being introduced to the system. Sometimes additives are added in a method known as shot dosing. This is when chemicals are dumped into the most turbulent area of water flow in a large quantity manually, as prescribed by a schedule. This is by far the most cost-effective method because it does not require the installation of any additional equipment. 

However, a more nuanced method is to use a pump to administer continuous dosing. Typically, the chemicals are pumped into the system based on a timer, or on a sensor. Sensor systems may be programmed to measure the changing concentration of the chemical in the water or to measure pH, redox, and temperature levels to make specialized doses to best meet the conditions of the water. 

Still Curious About Cooling Water Biocide? 

Biocides provide a useful method of cleaning and keeping clean the water used for cooling systems. To make sure your water system is the healthiest it can be, please fill out a contact form to let Ecolink’s experts help you on your journey! 

Examples of Cooling Water Additives

Examples of Cooling Water Additives

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Water cooling systems, like any space that contains a lot of water, are susceptible to many types of issues. Just as fish tanks require frequent filtration and chemical additives to maintain stable conditions, and make sure the fish remain healthy, cooling water requires treatment to prevent living creatures from growing. 

There are hundreds of chemical additions that may be incorporated into water to keep it healthy. In this blog post, we’ll examine the types of additives and the problems they address. 

Examples of Cooling Water Additives 

Many different categories of additives are used to keep cooling water safe. These types and a few examples include… 

Oxidizing biocides = chlorine, bromine, ammonium 

Non-oxidizing biocides = carbamate, glutaraldehyde, guanides 

Corrosion inhibitors = zinc, nitrate, polyphosphates 

Scale inhibitors = polyphosphates, acrylate polymers, phosphonates 

pH adjusters = sodium carbonate, hydrochloric acid, magnesium hydroxide 

Water softeners = lime (calcium oxide), resin 

Many of these chemicals wear multiple hats, which often has to do with the roles that they play. For example, hard water and acidic conditions often lead to increased scaling, so scale inhibitors may work by lowering the pH to an acidity specifically intended to prevent a certain type of mineral from depositing.  

However, the pH of water also has impacts on biological activity, so they can be considered for several functions. 

Problems That Additives for Cooling Water Address 

Systems that rely on water for cooling may run into many different types of problems, though most can be described as types of fouling. Fouling refers to the build-up of extra deposits, which can prevent the system from working properly. Some examples of fouling, and other issues that additives address include… 

  • Corrosion 
  • Scaling 
  • Biofouling (bacteria, algae, fungus, other microorganisms) 

All these types of fouling can cause serious issues, like clogging, and a loss of efficiency. Biofouling can insulate the metals intended to transfer heat to the surrounding water, thus hindering the water’s ability to cool. 

Scaling, which refers to the deposit of minerals in solid or crystalline form, can congregate in smaller pipes and clog necessary water flow. Additionally, large amounts of scaling can lead to increased corrosion. Corrosion occurs when atoms in the water oxidize exposed metal, causing them to deteriorate. Corrosion also creates some scaling deposits, like iron oxide deposits from rusting iron. 

Looking for Some Effective & Eco-Friendly Chemical Additives? 

Making sure your cooling water system is uninhibited by buildup and corrosion is important for efficiency and safety. Ecolink is prepared to help provide effective chemicals for many of the potential problems that you may have.  

Please reach out to our chemical experts today for assistance finding the best chemicals for your industrial needs! 

What Are Some Anti-Algae Chemicals for Cooling Towers?

What Are Some Anti-Algae Chemicals for Cooling Towers?

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Algae is a simple plant and only needs a few things to prosper: water, sunlight, and nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. This simple recipe makes cooling towers an ideal place for algae to set up shop.  

However, accumulation can cause serious problems for the health and efficiency of systems, which is why an understanding of anti-algae chemicals for cooling towers is extremely important. 

Examples of Chemicals Used 

There are many anti-algae chemicals used to deter growth, and to remove that which has already grown. Some of these chemicals include: 

  • Carbamates 
  • Guanides 
  • Isothiazolines 
  • Sulfone 
  • Quaternary Ammonium 
  • Bis(tributyltin) oxide (TBTO) 
  • Terbuthylazine (TBZ) 
  • Tributyltetradecylphosphonium chloride (TTPC) 

The efficiency of these various chemicals often depends on the conditions of the cooling water. For example, isothiazolines are only effective in mostly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions (pH 6.5-9.0). Also, some of these chemicals are fine to mix with other biocides, such as chlorine, but others may lose effectiveness when used conjointly. For that reason, it is extremely important to look at all of the additives you are using to make sure they will work harmoniously with each other.  

Why Anti-Algae Chemicals Are Important 

Controlling the growth that occurs inside a cooling tower is very important for keeping the system working. Algae buildup can clog nozzles, pipes, pumps, and filters can quickly cause clogging that will prevent the proper flow of water. 

A coating of plant matter can also decrease the efficiency of heat transfer by insulating the cooling membranes. If you’ve ever touched metal on a hot day, then you are probably familiar with metal’s conductive ability, which is part of what makes cooling towers work so well. However, compare that to touching something fluffy or fuzzy, like grass or fabric. Those substances will not feel as hot, showing how they do not transfer heat easily. When algae or other microorganisms coat the metal in a cooling tower, the heat intended to move into the water will be trapped inside.  

Additionally, large growths of algae can lead to the accumulation of Legionella pneumophila, bacteria that thrive on the growth’s byproducts. Legionella is responsible for Legionnaires disease, a serious type of pneumonia that can be contracted by breathing in water droplets or ingesting water that contains the bacteria. While cooling towers are not usually situated near areas with lots of people, these water droplets can travel far, and their design makes the aeration of water easy.  

Interested in Anti-Algae Chemicals? 

Reducing microorganism growth in industrial machinery is extremely important for increasing the efficiency of the system and preventing damage. At Ecolink, we offer many of the chemicals suggested for algae control. For help with this issue, or any other industrial problem you might have, please reach out today!