BIOFOULING IN WATER-SYSTEMS

The paper describes the mechanisms in the development of biofouling la yers (initial surface conditioning, microbial transport and attachment , mass transfer of nutrients to the biofilm surface and through the mi crobial layer, cell metabolism, and detachment of cells and of larger parts of the biofilm) and summarizes the effects of several factors on the buildup and stability of biofilms (nutrient availability, fluid v elocity and turbulence, temperature, surface condition, and nonliving particles). Mass transfer within biofilms is treated in more detail. A biofouling model applied to the development of biofilms in heat excha ngers is presented. Finally, references are made to biofouling control methods (biocide and the proper design and operation of heat exchange rs) and to future research needs in this area. (C) Elsevier Science In c., 1997.