Critical point analysis and biocide treatment in a microbiologically contaminated water purification system of a power plant

Abstract

Many industries use ultrapure water (UPW) for their operation. In spite of purification efforts, microbial contaminations are the major cause of manufacturing problems in these systems. In our experiments, the water purification system of a power plant was investigated: the microbiologically critical points of the ultrapure water purification system were located by checking the number and diversity of bacteria to determine the optimum operational unit for chemical intervention: the most contaminated site was the mixed-bed ion-exchange resin containing unit. Biocides were tested against bacteria previously isolated from the same system; effect of biocides was checked also in laboratory model systems, and based on the results, a biocide treatment was carried out in the mixed-bed ion-exchange resin columns of the working power plant. Kathon WT was the most effective from the studied chemicals, being effective already in low concentration against most studied microorganisms. In case of the handling of the mixed-bed ion-exchange resin, 8-h treatment with 25ppm biocide concentration was effective. Following the treatment, the quality of the produced UPW met the standards (specific electric conductivity was<1.0x10(-3)mu Scm(-1) at 25 degrees C) and water production capacity increased; moreover, the run-down time of the mixed-bed ion-exchange resin significantly grew.