Legionella Control - Cooling Tower Disinfection - A New Approach By: Alex Hunt
Legionella Control - Cooling Tower Disinfection
It is well known that cooling towers and other water systems can harbour the deadly Legionella bacteria that can resist chemical treatments by surviving in microbe colonies, better known as biofilms. A Legionella Risk Assessment may highlight the need to put control measures in place to meet the HSE L8 - "Legionnaires' disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems" Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and Guidance.
Independent tests show that Mixed Oxidants are more effective at destroying microbes and removing biofilms than traditional Chlorination methods in very short contact times. In trials, visual examinations of structural components demonstrated a reduction and elimination of algae and other biological matter that normally accumulates.
These environmentally friendly disinfectants can be safely used in applications such as legionella control in hot and cold water circuits. Users may also benefit by seeing an increase in process plant efficiency, such as corrosion and scale control and reduce Health and Safety concerns such as COSHH handling risks. The solutions are cheap to generate and require minimal maintenance.
Mixed Oxidants provide many other advantages to the Cooling Tower operator, such as the removal of acids. Mixed Oxidants have a stabilising effect when introduced to the recirculating water and results can be seen in just over 2 weeks. Turbidity can also be reduced from day 2 and stabilised in just 7 days, In trials, turbidity units were reduced to less than 20% of existing levels. Risks associated with chemical handling are also reduced as Mixed Oxidants are non toxic and non hazardous.
By removing biofilms and precipitating hard water minerals from the recirculation water, a system can become more energy efficient. Studies have shown that just 1mm of limescale will increase energy costs by 7.5%, while a 12mm layer raises this figure to 70%. Results have shown that when using Mixed Oxidants as a replacement to traditional biocides, cooling efficiency has vastly increased due to better heat exchange. This has knock on effects in other systems, such as reduced power consumption and increased pumping efficiency.
Common applications include cooling the circulating water used in oil refineries, chemical plants, power plants and building cooling.
For a free guide to Legionella Risk Assessment and the use of disinfectants please visit: http://www.electron-water-hygiene.co.uk/
Legionella Control, Legionella Risk Assessment, Legionnaires Disease, Mixed Oxidants, BS6700, Chlorination, Electron Water Hygiene, Cooling Tower, Biofilm
It is well known that cooling towers and other water systems can harbour the deadly Legionella bacteria that can resist chemical treatments by surviving in microbe colonies, better known as biofilms. A Legionella Risk Assessment may highlight the need to put control measures in place to meet the HSE L8 - "Legionnaires' disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems" Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and Guidance.
Independent tests show that Mixed Oxidants are more effective at destroying microbes and removing biofilms than traditional Chlorination methods in very short contact times. In trials, visual examinations of structural components demonstrated a reduction and elimination of algae and other biological matter that normally accumulates.
These environmentally friendly disinfectants can be safely used in applications such as legionella control in hot and cold water circuits. Users may also benefit by seeing an increase in process plant efficiency, such as corrosion and scale control and reduce Health and Safety concerns such as COSHH handling risks. The solutions are cheap to generate and require minimal maintenance.
Mixed Oxidants provide many other advantages to the Cooling Tower operator, such as the removal of acids. Mixed Oxidants have a stabilising effect when introduced to the recirculating water and results can be seen in just over 2 weeks. Turbidity can also be reduced from day 2 and stabilised in just 7 days, In trials, turbidity units were reduced to less than 20% of existing levels. Risks associated with chemical handling are also reduced as Mixed Oxidants are non toxic and non hazardous.
By removing biofilms and precipitating hard water minerals from the recirculation water, a system can become more energy efficient. Studies have shown that just 1mm of limescale will increase energy costs by 7.5%, while a 12mm layer raises this figure to 70%. Results have shown that when using Mixed Oxidants as a replacement to traditional biocides, cooling efficiency has vastly increased due to better heat exchange. This has knock on effects in other systems, such as reduced power consumption and increased pumping efficiency.
Common applications include cooling the circulating water used in oil refineries, chemical plants, power plants and building cooling.
For a free guide to Legionella Risk Assessment and the use of disinfectants please visit: http://www.electron-water-hygiene.co.uk/
Legionella Control, Legionella Risk Assessment, Legionnaires Disease, Mixed Oxidants, BS6700, Chlorination, Electron Water Hygiene, Cooling Tower, Biofilm
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