In cooling towers, biofilms cause microbial-induced corrosion (MIC) and equipment failures; in membrane systems, biofilms cause scaliing and reduce the life of the equipment. Learn how one pharmaceutical company handled the problem when biological fouling threatened their process.

Food processing is a good example of how the focused production of specific goods creates higher loads of specific waste contaminants. Simple (yet annoying) effects of high wastewater contaminants can be bad odors and clogged drains. 

It is critical that process cooling systems relying on cooling towers have robust but cost-effective filtration equipment for water reuse. Cooling tower water frequently contains hazardous materials that should be managed to avoid reintroducing them into the process cooling equipment or system.

Microbiological testing, specifically for total bacteria and Legionella bacteria in cooling tower water systems, has been using a methodology that basically has not changed for many years. The recent Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks due to cooling tower water systems has prompted a closer look at the methodology to determine if there is a need to consider a change that would be more representative of the true microbiological levels in these systems.

As the frac fluid is passes through the well during hydraulic fracturing operations, it may bring along with it an unwanted accompaniment: microbial contamination.

The proliferation of microorganisms — bacteria, fungi and algae — presents a significant challenge in the maintenance and operation of process cooling water systems.

 A complete water treatment system, Smart Shield Solid Chemistry System is specifically engineered to be factory mounted on a closed circuit cooler. 

Monitoring water treatment performance is an essential part of many industrial equipment maintenance plans. 

Process cooling engineers are constantly striving for more efficient systems — and for good reason.

According to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, installing a sidestream filtration system to cleanse cooling tower water will help maintain water efficiency across facilities.