Ultrasound & Biofilm Control by George Hutchinson of Algae Control US
Biofilm grows and attracts algae to attach into its matrix. Initial biofilm formers are anaerobic bacteria that are aerobic
during their planktonic stage where they seek new areas to colonize. The ultrasonic signature gives these bacteria a
sense of turbulence. In nature, they do not colonize turbulent areas. So with the proper amount of ultrasound,
they don't grow on the walls of the equipment.
In normal operation without ultrasound, they colonize a surface and send out biochemical compounds that are recognized
by other colony forming bacteria (a process known as quorum sensing). This signal attracts the bacteria that then form a
lipid matrix over the original colony, thereby cutting it off from oxygen. When that happens, the initial colony has achieved
its purpose (no oxygen) and facultatively changes to its anaerobic state.
The ultrasound interrupts the process and prevents biofilm formation. Without an easy to attach to biofilm matrix, algae
will not get a foothold to grow into. The colony formers do not reproduce when they are in the planktonic state and any
gel groups they may have formed will tend to declump and disperse. This reduces the need to pre-chlorinate the
sedimentation and clarifier sections to prevent the growth. At Union, SC, they reduced their sodium hypochlorite use by
about 50% and also reduced their required cleaning effort. This helped them meet their trihalomethanes (THM) and
halo-acetic acid (HAA) levels to within the EPA guidelines.
To make this work, the facility needs to install the devices in the sedimentation basin and clean the walls using a high
pressure wash to remove any existing biofilm. If they wait a week or so after the install, it will be somewhat easier to do the
cleaning as some of the bacteria will have begun to declump. However, the initial layer which is attached with
polysaccharide glues will have to be removed with the vigorous high pressure wash. After this, the wall cleanings will be a
simple water hose wash down.
With biofilm, the residence time typically needed to control algae is not an issue. The output sound intensity seems to be
the most important factor for keeping the biofilm regrowth from occurring. The output range for an XXL is 400m for
blue-green algae, 150m for green roaming algae, and about 60m for the biofilm effect. (XL is 265, 100, and 40m
respectively).
Biofilm control has been demonstrated in water plant clarifiers.
Biofilm grows and attracts algae to attach into its matrix. Initial biofilm formers are anaerobic bacteria that are aerobic
during their planktonic stage where they seek new areas to colonize. The ultrasonic signature gives these bacteria a
sense of turbulence. In nature, they do not colonize turbulent areas. So with the proper amount of ultrasound,
they don't grow on the walls of the equipment.
In normal operation without ultrasound, they colonize a surface and send out biochemical compounds that are recognized
by other colony forming bacteria (a process known as quorum sensing). This signal attracts the bacteria that then form a
lipid matrix over the original colony, thereby cutting it off from oxygen. When that happens, the initial colony has achieved
its purpose (no oxygen) and facultatively changes to its anaerobic state.
The ultrasound interrupts the process and prevents biofilm formation. Without an easy to attach to biofilm matrix, algae
will not get a foothold to grow into. The colony formers do not reproduce when they are in the planktonic state and any
gel groups they may have formed will tend to declump and disperse. This reduces the need to pre-chlorinate the
sedimentation and clarifier sections to prevent the growth. At Union, SC, they reduced their sodium hypochlorite use by
about 50% and also reduced their required cleaning effort. This helped them meet their trihalomethanes (THM) and
halo-acetic acid (HAA) levels to within the EPA guidelines.
To make this work, the facility needs to install the devices in the sedimentation basin and clean the walls using a high
pressure wash to remove any existing biofilm. If they wait a week or so after the install, it will be somewhat easier to do the
cleaning as some of the bacteria will have begun to declump. However, the initial layer which is attached with
polysaccharide glues will have to be removed with the vigorous high pressure wash. After this, the wall cleanings will be a
simple water hose wash down.
With biofilm, the residence time typically needed to control algae is not an issue. The output sound intensity seems to be
the most important factor for keeping the biofilm regrowth from occurring. The output range for an XXL is 400m for
blue-green algae, 150m for green roaming algae, and about 60m for the biofilm effect. (XL is 265, 100, and 40m
respectively).
Biofilm control has been demonstrated in water plant clarifiers.
Spartan Environmental Technologies
Air and Water Treatment
Air and Water Treatment
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Phone: 800-492-1252
Fax: 440-368-3569
E-mail: info@
spartanwatertreatment.com
Ultrasound Biofilm Control
