Abstract:
A method for producing a biocide from a hypochlorite oxidant and an ammonium salt is provided. The method focuses on preventing and/or reducing the presence of excess ammonium. The molar ratio of ammonium to hypochlorite is less than 1:1. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes monitoring the conductivity of the biocide to optimize the ratio between the hypochlorite oxidant and the ammonium salt. The optimum ratio is that at which the conductivity has a local maximum.
Abstract:
There is provided a method of inhibiting the development of a biofilm adjacent a surface, the method comprising intermittently applying a biofilm inhibiting substance to a collection of microorganisms having biofilm developing potential. There is also provided a method of inhibiting the development of a biofilm adjacent a surface, the method comprising inhibiting the biofilm developing potential of a collection of microorganisms without completely eradicating said collection of microorganisms. Also provided are a system for inhibiting the development of a biofilm, and a method and system for inhibiting the production of an enzyme by a collection of microorganisms.
Abstract:
There is provided a method of inhibiting the development of a biofilm adjacent a surface, the method comprising intermittently applying a biofilm inhibiting substance to a collection of microorganisms having biofilm developing potential. There is also provided a method of inhibiting the development of a biofilm adjacent a surface, the method comprising inhibiting the biofilm developing potential of a collection of microorganisms without completely eradicating said collection of microorganisms. Also provided are a system for inhibiting the development of a biofilm, and a method and system for inhibiting the production of an enzyme by a collection of microorganisms.
Abstract:
A method for quantifying the amount of ammonium bicarbonate in a solid sample of ammonium carbamate is provided. The method includes measuring the FT-IR spectrum of the sample, calculating the IR band maximum for a first band that is common to ammonium carbamate and ammonium bicarbonate and for a second band that is unique to ammonium carbamate, calculating a ratio of the maximum of the second band to the maximum of the first band, and calculating the concentration of ammonium bicarbonate in the sample from a calibration curve.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for producing a biocide from a hypochlorite oxidant and an ammonium salt are provided. The method includes monitoring a control parameter to optimize the ratio between the hypochlorite oxidant and the ammonium salt. The control parameter may be oxidation-reduction potential, conductivity, induction or oxygen saturation.
Abstract:
A method for producing a solution of ammonium carbamate is provided. The method comprises reacting ammonium hydroxide with sodium bicarbonate. The method avoids the complications of using carbon dioxide and can be carried out using standard equipment. The resulting solution of ammonium carbamate can be used to form a biocide by mixing with a hypochlorite oxidant.
Abstract:
A system and method for monitoring process water treated with a biocide is provided. The system includes a biocide feeding unit and a dissolved oxygen sensor. The dissolved oxygen sensor works in two modes, a biocide feeding mode and a background mode, and alerts an operator when the dissolved oxygen value indicates a fault in the system. A drop in dissolved oxygen during feeding can indicate faulty production of biocide or biocide degradation, both of which can lead to unwanted disinfection by-products.
Abstract:
There are provided methods for controlling microbial or biofilm growth, comprising mixing a hypochlorite oxidant and at least one nitrogen-containing compound or salt thereof selected from a particular group of nitrogen-containing compounds and salts to form a biocide, and applying the biocide. Apparatus for practicing the methods are also provided.