Biofouling in Water Systems

Abstract

The paper describes the mechanisms in the development of biofoulinglayers (initial surface conditioning, microbial transport and attachment,mass transfer of nutrients to the biofilm surface and through the microbiallayer, cell metabolism, and detachment of cells and of larger parts of thebiofilm) and summarizes the effects of several factors on the buildup andstability of biofilms (nutrient availability, fluid velocity and turbulence,temperature, surface condition, and nonliving particles). Mass transferwithin biofilms is treated in more detail. A biofouling model applied to thedevelopment of biofilms in heat exchangers is presented. Finally, referencesare made to biofouling control methods (biocide and the proper design andoperation of heat exchangers) and to future research needs in this area.