What Is Biofilm in Bacteria?

Biofilms are communities of surface-attached bacteria, often found growing inside a protective microbial secretion, otherwise known as slime. Although biofilms are integral to the ecology of life, they are also the root cause of serious and costly problems in cooling water systems.

Biofilms are dynamic, complex structures optimized for microbial growth and survival, which makes them difficult to control, let alone remove. Biofilms are the root cause of serious problems in building portable and industrial water systems including:

  • Clogged piping
  • Reduced heat transfer efficiency
  • Microbial corrosion
  • Legionella transmission

If your water systems go untreated, biofilms can:

  • Accelerate corrosion damage and reduce clear water flow.
  • Reduce heat transfer and dramatically increase your energy costs.
  • Contribute to the spread of dangerous pathogens like Legionella.

What Issues Can Our Biofilm Control Solutions Solve?

Bacteria like to live in biofilms, which start out microscopic in size, but can grow into visible biofouling deposits in only a number of days. The biofilms structure protects bacteria from biocide additions, allowing them to form intelligent and sophisticated communities that continuously adapt to become resistant to chemical treatments and mechanical removal.

 

Biofilms commonly form in hard-to-reach places and can quickly become one of the most difficult challenges your cooling systems come to face. When conditions become unfavorable, the biofilms grow and spread by releasing bacteria into the bulk water to inhabit other surfaces. Multiple survival mechanisms make biofilms incredibly tenacious and difficult to control. 

This lack of control should cause you to be concerned, and this would be the time to get in touch with our team to learn how we can support you with our biofilm control solutions.

Our Get Clean, Keep Clean Program

NCH Chem-Aqua’s Get Clean, Keep Clean Program provides you with specialized and innovative:

  • Products
  • Equipment
  • Expertise

Your business will benefit from this combination of information and understand how to use it to solve various biofilm issues and water problems.

Our patented bioeXile® cleaning solution, paired with our award-winning bioDART® biofilm monitor, is our new, cutting-edge technology that thoroughly cleans your cooling water equipment. This powerful combination will maintain your systems by keeping them clean.

NCH Asia Pacific boasts over 100 years of expertise and experience, making our Chem-Aqua offering the best choice for your water solutions. We can help to improve your system reliability, accuracy, and safety. Our advanced technology, innovative products, and solutions keep us ahead of the rest.

Contact us today to find out more about our biofilm control solutions. Our team of NCH experts are always happy to help.
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Water Treatment Systems

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