Abstract
To monitor and analyze the biofouling phenomenon caused primarily by microbial suspended solids (MSS), a ‘biofouling tube’ apparatus consisting of a carbon steel tube, a differential pressure transmitter, a corrator, and a cooling water circulation device was designed and fabricated. By measuring continuously the pressure drop across the biofouling tube and using the correlation between the fluid’s friction factor and surface roughness, we quantitatively analyzed the influence of MSS concentration, temperature, and fluid velocity on the rate of biofilm growth on the metal surface. The result indicated that the fluid velocity had the most profound impact, e.g., lowering the linear velocity from 0.3 to 0.15 m/sec resulted in about a four times higher biofouling rate. Up to 50 ppm MSS, the biofouling rate was proportional to the MSS concentration. The biofouling rate at 35°C was about 1.75 times higher than that of 45°C., probably due to the diminishing effect of thermolabile microorganisms exposed at 45°C. It was also demonstrated that the biofouling could be significantly reduced by incorporating cooling water treatment programs such as protective pre-filming and adding corrosion inhibitors. This apparatus, if installed on-site at a sidestream of a cooling water system, could be used to monitor the biofouling tendency on-line and to suggest timely preventive maintenance actions.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Busscher, H. J. and Weerkamp, A. H., “Specific and Non-specific Interactions in Bacterial Adhesion to Solid Substrate”,FEMS Microbiol. Rev.,46, 165 (1987).
Cheremisinoff, P. N., “Handbook of Water and Wastewater Treatment Technology”, Marcel Dekker, New York, 539 (1995).
Colturi, T. F. and Kozelski, K. J., “Corrosion and Biofouling Control in a Cooling Tower System”,Materials Performance,23(8), 43 (1984).
Coulson, J. M, Richardson, J. F., and Sinnott, R. K., “Chemical Engineering”, Pergamon Press, New York,6, 511 (1989).
Epstein, N., “Thinking about Heat Transfer Fouling: A 5 x 5 Matrices”,Heat Transfer Eng.,4, 43 (1983).
Geesey, G. G., Lewandowski, Z. and Flemming, H.-G, “Biofouling and Biocorrosion in Industrial Water Systems”, CRC Press, Florida (1994).
Hamilton, W. A., “Sulphate-reducing Bacteria and Anaerobic Corrosion”,Ann. Rev. Microbiol,39, 195 (1985).
Marcus, P. and Oudar, J., “Corrosion Mechanisms in Theory and Practice”, Marcel Dekker Inc.,457 (1995).
Nevers, N. D., “Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineers”, 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill, 178 (1991).
Pope, D. H., Duquette, D. J., Johannes, A. H. and Wayner, P. C., “Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion of Industrial Alloys”,Materials Performance,23(4), 14 (1984).
Sanatgar, H. and Somerscales, E. F. C., “Account for Fouling in Heat Exchanger Design”,Chem. Eng. Progress,53 (1991).
Taborek, J., Aoki, T., Ritter, R. B., Palem, J. W. and Knudsen, J. G., “Fouling-The Major Unsolved Problem in Heat Transfer”,Chem. Eng. Prog.,68, 56 (1972).
Tatnall, R. E., “Fundamentals of Bacterial Induced Corrosion”,Materials Performance,20(9), 32 (1981).
Tatnall, R. E., “Case Histories: Bacteria Induced Corrosion”,Materiah Performance,20(8), 41 (1981).
Thierry, D., “Field Observations of Microbiologically Induced Corrosion in Cooling Water Systems”,Materials Performance,26(5), 35 (1987).
Uchida, T., Nishiyama, T. and Kawamura, T., “Up-to-date Problems in Alkaline Cooling Water Treatment Program”, Corrosion/90, NACE, Paper No. 349 (1990).
Wakamatsu, Y., Ono, Y., Yoshihara, K. and Kawamura, F., “New Real-time Monitoring System for Improvement of Cooling Water Treatment Performance-Case History”, Corrosion/91, Paper No. 481, NACE (1991).
Walker, C. K. and Maddux, G. C., “Corrosion-monitoring Techniques and Applications”,Materials Performance,28(5), 64 (1989).
Welty, J. R., Wicks, C. E. and Wilson R. E., “Fundamentals of Momentum, Heat, and Mass Transfer”, 3rd ed., Oregon, 202 (1984).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lee, H.J., Han, D.G., Lee, S.H. et al. On-line monitoring and quantitative analysis of biofouling in low-velocity cooling water system. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 15, 71–77 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02705308
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02705308