Microbiological Monitoring and On-Site Toxicant Evaluation in Critical Closed-Loop Cooling System

This paper describes the importance of microbiological monitoring of a critical closed system. Monitoring "microclimates" within the closed loop revealed areas where microbes thrived beneath biofilms despite routine dosing of biocide. Collecting sessile samples rather than sampling bulk water allowed the water treatment vendor to identify the appropriate biocide at the correct dose. This resulted in better biological control in the microclimates, and optimized the program from a cost and performance standpoint. The difference in reactive iron between the microclimates and bulk water ceased, as the microbes no longer promoted under-deposit corrosion. The closed system has performed much more reliably.

James Gleason | Veolia WTS