Details Cooling Tower, algae and biofilm control

Moving water can create an unstable environment for micro-organisms thus some micro-organisms have evolved in a manner that they can adhere to surfaces and create an ideal environment for themselves to grow and multiply. A biofilm can grow on nutrients or substrates which can be found in water. When temperatures are high, for example in cooling towers, a matrix of different micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, EPS and algae can grow very rapidly. The disadvantages of biofilm formation in cooling towers can be enormous:

1. Even a small layer of biofilm within a pipe reduces the diameter of the pipeline. This means that less water can be pumped around the circuit but also the pumping power needs to be increased. This can result in higher energy costs and lower performance efficiency of the cooling tower.

2. A biofilm can hold up to 85-95% of stagnant water. This can function as a insulating layer around the grids and pipes thereby reducing the cooling efficiency of the tower.

3. A biofilm can contain several types of bacteria who can produce corrosive chemicals. For example anaerobic sulphate reducing bacteria. These bacteria produce sulphuric acid which can cause corrosion of metal pipes. Also the so-called iron-oxidising bacteria can cause corrosion of metal resulting in expensive repairs of leaking pipes.

4. Biofilm can be a host for the pathogenic Legionella bacteria. These bacteria can become aerosol and infect humans when they inhale them, causing severe pneumonia.

Therefore water used in cooling towers needs frequent treatment and chemical shocks to keep levels of micro-organisms to a minimum. Algae can grow in the cooling tower itself andon the grids from the tower.

Reduces the growth of algae and bacteria to contribute to the reduction of chemical treatment in cooling towers

Reduces the growth of algae and bacteria to contribute to the reduction of chemical treatment in cooling towers

LG Sound uses the newest ultrasound techniques to battle algae, certain micro-organisms and biofilm. Concentrations of algal cells and some bacteria will be reduced. Furthermore Legionella has a smaller chance of spreading because the growth of biofilm is reduced Less maintenance and repair works are needed and the environment is spared because the usage of aggressive chemicals is minimised.

The LG Sonic XL plus and XXL plus has gained some new technologies to improve their efficiency in controlling biofilm. The LpBs technology is one of these technologies, which makes certain that sound is being transmitted to the water with enough energy to control biofilm formation. Yet the products do not use more then 5 Watt making the devices truly environmentally friendly solution.

How does the LG Sonic work in your cooling tower?

• When the LG Sonic® device is turned on the ultrasound attacks most of the unicellular and blue-green algae as well as biofilm and some other bacteria responsible for its formation.
• The affected algae will be reduced in concentration and suppressed in their growth. Biofilm will slowly deteriorate thus enabling easy cleaning and removal operations.
• Legionella control strategies should also include the control of cyanobacteria which both enhance growth of Legionella in aquatic reservoirs and improve their survival in aerosols. The LG Sonic® makes the environment in the water less favourable for the Legionella bacteria to multiply and/or attached to surfaces including post formed biofilm surfaces to help in the formation (or further formation) of biofilm.