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Bulletin 240
Why is it important to control
microorganisms in cooling water?
Microbiological growth is one of
four major harmful phenomena
that can occur in a cooling water
system. The formation of bio-
deposits on heat transfer surfaces
results in significant heat transfer
loss. These biodeposits or slime
layers can lead to the promotion of
three other major problems: corro-
sion, scale, and fouling. Microbio- Figure 3 An example of micro-
Figure 2 An example of underdeposit
logical is in the center of the cooling growth biological slime accumulation
water treatment triangle in Figure 1
because of its significant impact on
the other three problems. Can microbiological growth lead compared to other common
to scale formation? foulants. Common biofilms are
four times more insulating than
Yes. All mineral scales require a
calcium carbonate scale.
site upon which nucleation can
occur; biodeposits can effectively
provide this site. Also, micro- Are all microorganisms the same
biologically induced corrosion in a cooling system?
by-products can serve as nucleat-
No, there can be potentially thou-
ing sites for scale formation.
sands of different types of microbes
Figure 1 Cooling water treatment in a given cooling system. Some
triangle species will not be problematic
How does fouling result from (i.e., form slime layers or be
How can corrosion occur due to biofilms? corrosive); others will.
microbiological deposits? Because biofilms are slimy and
sticky, the potential for foulants to What types of microorganisms do
Underdeposit corrosion takes place
accumulate in such films com- cause problems in cooling
beneath biofilms and can result in
pared to inorganic deposits is
severe pitting of metal surfaces. systems?
much greater. See Figure 3.
Anaerobes are bacteria that thrive
The three most common types of
in an oxygen-free environment like
microorganisms are bacteria,
that which exists under a biofilm. How insulating is a biofilm algae, and fungi.
These anaerobes generate acidic compared to other foulants found
by-products which corrode metal in cooling water systems?
surfaces. Once the pitting begins
Table 1 illustrates the relative
to occur, it is difficult to stop due
thermal conductivities of biofilms
to the layer of protection covering
the anaerobes. See Figure 2.
Table 1 Thermal conductivity of Why are algae a problem? How is microbiological growth
cooling water foulants (the lower the controlled?
thermal conductivity, the more insulating Algae require sunlight to grow. As
the material) a result, algae are found on cool- There are physical means by
ing tower decks and fill areas that which microbiological activity can
Thermal are exposed to sunlight. Algae be minimized. Backflushing and
Conductivity, grow to form layers or algae air rumbling of heat exchangers
Foulant Btu/hr ftF
mats that result in pluggage of and cleaning of filters are ex-
Calcium Carbonate 1.31.7 deck distribution ports and filter amples. These physical methods
Calcium Sulfate 1.3 screens. If removed, algae can will not destroy or prevent the
Calcium Phosphate 1.5 cause fouling downstream of a growth of microorganisms; chemi-
Magnesium tower. Additionally, algae con- cals called biocides are used for
Phosphate 1.3 sume oxidants that are used to this purpose.
Magnetic Iron Oxide 1.7 control microorganisms in typical
Biofilm 0.4
systems, translating into a higher
usage rate of these oxidants. What kinds of biocides are there?
Finally, algae provide nutrients for There are two major types of
How do bacteria cause problems? other non-algal microbes in a biocides: oxidizers and non-
A variety of bacteria can be harm- system. See Figure 4. oxidizers. Oxidizers oxidize
ful in cooling systems. Some important cellular components in
bacteria types produce slime microorganisms, resulting in
layers, some cause corrosion, and death. Non-oxidizers kill differ-
others react with compounds in ently; they react with specific cell
the bulk water, resulting in harm- components within a microbe to
ful consequences. ultimately destroy that cell.
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