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Into the Unknown: The Link Between Biofilm and Legionella Guest Name: Loraine Huchler
Episode 379
Welcome back, Scaling UP! Nation. Have you ever wondered about the hidden dangers of biofilm lurking in your water systems? In our latest Legionella Awareness Month episode, we deep dive into the world of biofilm and its critical link to Legionella with our returning expert, Loraine Huchler, President of MarTech Systems. Packed with invaluable insights and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the water treatment industry. Don't miss it!
Ever Wondered How Biofilm and Legionella are Connected?
"If you have no biofilm, your risk of Legionella is very low." - Loraine Huchler Loraine Huchler provides an insightful explanation of the complex relationship between biofilm and Legionella interacting within cooling water systems.
Life Cycle of Legionella: "Legionella is an aerobic bacteria, while the bacteria inside the biofilm might be anaerobic—they don't need oxygen to thrive. Some can even switch between oxygen-loving and anaerobic states. Legionella matures and seeks a higher life form to reproduce, essentially acting as a parasite within the biofilm."
Reproduction and Spread: "In cooling water systems, especially comfort cooling systems that operate seasonally, Legionella can reproduce within the biofilm even when systems are idle. The biofilm's thickness increases due to the abundance of bacteria. When the system restarts, the force of the water shears off the top layer of the biofilm, dispersing bacteria throughout the entire chiller system."
Challenges in Bacteria Control: Loraine emphasizes, "This scenario illustrates why it's so difficult to control bacteria in cooling water systems. The constant cycle of biofilm formation and disruption means bacteria, including Legionella, are continuously spread and difficult to manage."
Implications for Industrial Water Professionals: Understanding this complex relationship is crucial for implementing effective water treatment strategies. Regular monitoring and proactive management of biofilm are essential to mitigate the risks associated with Legionella and maintain system efficiency. How Do You Measure the Amount of Biofilm, and How Does This Measuring Technology Work? "Adding a biofilm sensor will give real-time early detection of biofilm and make precision dosing a reality for biocides which can kill Legionella." - Loraine Huchler
Exploring Biofilm Measurement Technologies: Loraine Huchler delves into the intricacies of measuring biofilm, highlighting two key technologies: Electrochemical and Ultrasonic.
Ultrasonic Technology: "The ultrasonic technology is novel and proprietary. Currently, only one water treatment company has developed it, and access to this online sensor is limited to their customers. This technology is the only sensor that measures biofilm in an online system. It includes a test chamber with a heated surface and a precisely controlled water flow that matches your most vulnerable heat exchanger. Using ultrasonic technology, it determines the biofilm thickness."
Applications and Considerations: Loraine poses an intriguing question: "If you know the biofilm thickness, you could calculate the heat transfer loss in your heat exchangers, potential production loss in a process plant, or increased electrical demand in a chiller plant. However, managing biofilm effectively only requires knowing its presence so you can react. The ultrasonic technology, while sophisticated, is more complicated, expensive, and challenging to use compared to electrochemical sensors."
Electrochemical Sensors: "The electrochemical sensors don't require a test chamber, allowing them to b
Published on 1 year, 3 months ago