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Chemical metering and biocide information center

BIOCIDE INFORMATION CENTER

Learn about the use, application and safety issues related to biocide and algicide. Included on this page are links to chemical sites, information about biocide dosing equipment and instrumentation, as well as the latest industry information.

BIOCIDE APPLICATIONS

When to use biocides and algicides...

The use of biocides to limit the growth of Biological material in a process is used in many industries. In food, personal care, and pharmaceutical the use of chemicals is solely for disinfection. Biological growth can result in contamination of the product and has fatal implications.

In many processes like, paper, oil and gas, and cooling circuits, the biological growth has an impact on the performance of the process than on health issues. Health issues are still part of the problem but most industrial applications focus on the performance lost caused by the biological growth instead of how it may cause infection.

OXIDIZING BIOCIDE

What is oxidation?

In technical terms, oxidation is the chemical process by which an atom or ion robes another atom of one of it's electrons. The atom that steals the electron is referred to as an oxidizing agent. We witness the oxidizing effects of oxygen daily in the rusting of an iron nail, the browning of an apple. The most frequently encountered oxidizing agent for biocide control is chlorine. Oxidants react with different components of cells causing damage by changing the chemical structure of these components.

Oxidizing Biocides:
Chlorine	Calcium Hypochlorite, Sodium Hypochlorite, Bleach	Indiscriminate oxidation	loss of efficacy at pH >7.5 or high ammonia bearing water, Increase in corrosion potential
Bromine	Sodium, Bromide, Hydantoins	Indiscriminate oxidation	Not affected by pH, Bromine residuals are less persistent
Hydrogen Peroxide	H₂0₂ , Peroxyacetic Acid	Indiscriminate oxidation	Volatilizes to quickly, expensive
Ozone	O₃	Indiscriminate oxidation	Generator equipment is expensive, destroys organic cooling treatment chemicals
Chlorine Dioxide	ClO₂	Indiscriminate oxidation	Generator equipment is explosive

NON-OXIDIZING BIOCIDES

BIOCIDE EQUIPMENT

Biocide Single Metering Pump Systems
(above link goes to catalog) When pumping any type biocide, the metering system that you use should be designed to provide safety first. Any biocide is dangerous, by its very nature it is designed to harm living organisms. A biocide metering system that provides an enclosure to the pump will protect those in the work area from accidental spill or leaks. Double wall tubing or rigid pipe with guards provide a safe means of piping the biocide to the delivery point.

Many applications for biocide dosing also require some type of control strategy. We suggest the use of time based control for non-oxidizing biocides with confirmation flow to the system with some type of flow verification. If an oxidizing biocide is used ORP or residual Chlorine instrumentation will help in tighter control with lower chemical usage.

Biocide Dual Metering Pump Systems
You may require dual metering pumps for dosing biocides. Our dual system provides two pumps and interconnecting pipework inside a fiberglass enclosure. This system is great for any type of additive metering but is best suited for biocide dosing. As you can see from the picture below the system easily mounts on to the side of the intermediate bulk container and quickly connects to the bin with the accessories included.

Models with up to three metering pumps.
Protects workplace from biocide spills or sprays
includes hanger, site glass, and bin manifold.
Ready to connect and your pumping biocide in minutes
Optional timer
Option flow verification

Biocides and Disinfection in the food industry

All food manufacture requires a high level of microbiological control. Clean in place processes and disinfection are important but any process the comes in contact with media that can harbor a microbio colony must also be treated. Biocides are also required for any heat transfer equipment exposing the heat transfer fluid to open air. Chillers and cooling towers are primary breading grounds for legionella. Cooling tower biocides and food area biocides are very similar but need to be applied differently and also require different levels of verification of effectiveness.

Fuel Oil Biocides
Bacteria and fungi, although living do not live of the same nutrients as you and I. Some bacteria can grow on and in things like fuel oil. This will result in equipment failure through fouling of lines and burners. Addition of biocide while introducing new fuel oil into the storage vessel will protect the system from microbiological growth.

Some fuel oils are treated with a biocide upon loading at the terminal. This will result in a compatible and safe addition of a biocide. If you are looking to add some type of biocide you should contact us with more information so that a compatible program can be established.

Technical Papers on Biocide use

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