Best Practices for Controlling Microbiology of Industrial Cooling Water Systems

After participating in this course, you will be able to: 

• Learn to distinguish between micro and macro biofouling
• Learn about the challenges imposed by both micro and macrofouling
• Understand the many different types of microorganisms in cooling water systems
• Learn about the formation conditions and control of biofilms 
• Learn about ATP, and how to interpret ATP results
• Understand the many different types of oxidizing biocides, non-oxidizing biocides, and biodispersants
• Learn how to apply biocides effectively
• Evaluate different forms of effective monitoring of microbiology in cooling systems
• Learn about dechlorination
• Learn about Legionnaires Disease and its control in cooling water systems
• Learn how to focus on the Vital Few, how to set relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) 
• Course focuses on Best Practices for cooling water systems

 

Course Description:

Microfouling or microbial fouling pose serious problems in industrial water systems, by reducing the heat transfer efficiency and water flow, resulting in heat-exchanger corrosion, a substantial decrease in steam turbine pressure, besides affecting the operation of all auxiliary systems. All costly consequences.

Microbiology is generally viewed as a “mystery” to the average operator of cooling systems. Cooling water systems provide an ideal environment for microbiological growth. Bacteria will grow in heat-exchangers, condensers, and cooling tower fill, as well as algae on wetted cooling tower components exposed to sunlight. Once microorganisms settle on the surface of heat-exchangers, they will grow a thick biofilm that allows anaerobic bacteria to grow exponentially underneath, creating an acidic and corrosive environment to plant equipment. Heat-transfer efficiency is also greatly reduced. 

The effect of bacterial corrosion in distribution systems results in substantial damage to pipelines and other plant equipment by inducing pitting or under-deposit corrosion. Careful evaluation of the microbial species in the cooling water is necessary to determine the most effective biocides – a topic that will be covered in detail in this course. Also discussed are monitoring procedures and plausible control methods for microbial fouling process – both oxidizing and nonoxidizing biocides will be discussed as well as best-practices for mitigating biofouling.

Course Agenda 

1. Definitions of microbiological and macrobiological control
2. Problems around both micro and macro-biological growth
3. The microbiology of cooling water: differences & similarities
   • Microorganisms
   • Bacteria / Fungi / Algae
4. Biofilm formation – factors promoting it, best-practices for control
5. Evaluating and selecting a microbiology control program
6. Oxidizing biocides
   • Chlorine & chlorine-based products (hypochlorites, bromine, etc.)
     • Chlorine demand/free and combined chlorine
     • Breakpoint chlorination
   • Chlorine dioxide (the “ideal” biocide);  Hydrogen peroxide
   • Ozone: properties, fundamentals, equipment general requirements, chemistry, dosing & monitoring
7. Non-oxidizing biocides;  Proprietary non-oxidizing chemicals
8. Biodispersants:  functionality; effective use
9. Macrofoulants 
   • Asiatic clams
   • Zebra mussels / Blue mussels
10. Monitoring best practices (incl. biofilm control); proper interpretation of ATP
11. Dechlorination (abridged discussion)
12. The control of legionella bacteria in water systems

Who Should Attend: 

• Plant Chemists
• Plant Engineers / Utility Engineers
• Plant Operators
• Operation & Maintenance Managers
• Water Technologists/technicians
• Reliability Engineers
• Anyone involved with or interested in Industrial Water Treatment