Biocides: Capturing bugs and bigger markets

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Chemical Engineering

OSTI ID:118835

Hairston, D W

Deep in the dark interior of cooling water towers, intake streams and purifiers, there is a jungle. Hundreds of thousands of microorganisms dwell in algae and biofilm, breeding mutant and increasingly resistant strains of bacteria. For biocide manufacturers, the imperative is to find better ways to control the proliferation of the microscopic bugs. Some of the most robust demand for biocides is in the cooling water market, particularly as industrial water treatment continues to switch from gaseous chlorine to bromine compounds. The trend toward closed-loop and faster cycles for process water treatment will require more biological control. Biocides are expected to benefit from that trend, but in pulp and paper operations, chlorine dioxide may reap the biggest gains. Also making inroads is an electrolytic system that uses ClO{sub 2} to control microorganisms in cooling towers. Despite growing demand for safe and more-effective biocides in Europe and the US, new product development is stymied by the rigorous and costly process of getting regulatory approval. In the US, EPA registration can cost $5--10 million and take 5 to 10 years.

• OSTI ID: 118835
• Journal Information: Chemical Engineering, Journal Name: Chemical Engineering Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 102; ISSN 0009-2460; ISSN CHEEA3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
COOLING TOWERS
FUNGICIDES
LICENSING
MARKET
PERFORMANCE
WATER TREATMENT