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TroublesomeBactria
Psedomonas
Solphate Reducing Bacteria
Nitrite Oxidising Bacteria
Iron Bacteria
Psedomonas
Pseudomonas (1)
These organisms are widespread in the environment
and when they gain access to treated water they may
pro-liferate by utilising nutrients present in the water,
including those derived from unsuitable materials used
in the construction of the distribution system.
They are most common in large domestic' plumbing
systems.
The problem is exacerbated by the use of unapproved
materials (e.g. pipes, tanks, jointing compounds, tap
washers and seals), long pipe runs, dead legs,
infrequent use and localised warming.
NT 3037 Plant & Maintenance
(Supplementary Information from Dr. Aman WONG)
Pseudomonas (2)
They may affect the taste, odour, colour and turbidity
of the water; in extreme cases slimes may be
produced. Infected systems must be disinfected and
flushed using the procedure recommended by the
water undertaking.
Excessive growths will generate a high chlorine
demand and the procedure may have to be repeated
to obtain satisfactory results.
Disinfection will only provide temporary respite unless
the causal defects are identified and corrected.
Pseudomonas (3)
Flavobacteria
Flavobacteria
Flavobacterium is a genus of Gram-negative, non-motile and
motile, rod-shaped bacteria that consists of ten recognized
species, as well as 3 newly proposed species (F.
gondwanense, F. salegens, and F. scophthalmum).
Flavobacteria are found in soil and fresh water in a variety of
environments.
Several species are known to cause disease in freshwater
fish.
Flavobacterium psychrophilum causes the Bacterial Cold
Water Disease (BCWD) on salmonids and the Rainbow Trout
Fry Disease (RTFS) on rainbow trouts.
Flavobacterium columnare causes the cotton-wool disease on
freshwater fishes.
Flavobacterium branchiophilum causes the Bacterial Gill
Disease (BGD) on trouts.
NT 3037 Plant & Maintenance
(Supplementary Information from Dr. Aman WONG)
SolphateReducingBacteria
Steel and iron surfaces act as a substratum for microbial communities to form
biofilms at the steel and iron surface, electrochemical corrosion occurs
Chemical dissolution of iron then results in the formation of hydrogen
Beggiatoa
Thiothrix
Thiopediac
NitriteOxidisingBacteria
IronBacteria
Caulobacter
Objectives
Assure public health and safety by preventing
any potential risks associated with water-cooled
air conditioning system;
Achieve better / maintain energy efficiency and
operational performance of water-cooled air
conditioning system;
Minimize nuisances caused by water-cooled air
conditioning system to the public;
Prevent pollution and mis-use of water;
Assure occupational safety and health of the
staff concerned.
NT 3037 Plant & Maintenance
(Supplementary Information from Dr. Aman WONG)
DesignConsideration
The name, contact phone and address of the owner of the cooling
tower system;
The name, contact phone and address of the cooling tower specialist
contractor(s) (CTSC), who is responsible for the design, installation,
testing and commissioning of the cooling tower system;
Design details of the cooling tower system;
Descriptions of the cooling towers and water treatment equipment,
including their locations, technical specifications, models, capacities
and year of manufacture / installation as well as correct operation
procedure;
Testing results of all equipment in the cooling tower system; and
Water sampling results.
TheContractorResponsibilities
Contractor Responsibilities
Chemical cleaning of the system should always
be the responsibility of the appointed chemical
cleaning specialist sub-contractor.
However, in order to ensure that the chemical
clean is successful, the installing contractor must
be prepared to commit resources to assist with
the process.
In particular, the installer will need to be aware
of the system conditions which must be
maintained during the clean.
COSHHRegulations
The COSHH Regulations require that the employers, ie the contractor
and the chemical cleaning sub-contractor (including the self-employed),
implement a number of measures in compliance with the Regulations.
Under the COSHH Regulations, the employers must carry out suitable
and sufficient assessments, so that all the necessary measures to control
any hazardous substances can be implemented.
Substances that are hazardous to health include any substances that are labelled as
dangerous under the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply)
Regulations 2002, ie pesticides, chemicals generally, micro-organisms, dust
and any material, mixture or compound used at work or arising from
work activities that may cause harm to peoples health and well-being.
ChemicalCleaningConsideration
System size
Whether the system is open or closed
System materials
Complexity of system and sensitivity of plant items
Extension or modernisation of existing systems
The length of the construction period
TechnicalRequirements
Continued
SchematicDiagram
Themaincontaminantsfoundinwatersystemsare
Scale:
Is a build-up of solid material which normally occurs on internal heatexchanger surfaces in boilers or condensers these are : Calcium,
magnesium and iron salts such as calcium carbonate, calcium
sulphate, magnesium carbonate and magnesium silicate are the
most common scales.
The risk of scale forming is greatest with hard water and smallest with
soft water
Corrosionproducts
Corrosion products are typical contaminants of water systems
There are two main causes of corrosion in steel pipework:
Electrolytic reaction: Involves Iron Pipework and Oxygen and
Hydrogen in water
Bacteria-induced corrosion involving sulphate-reducing bacteria
Principal Factors are:
Temp
Type of concentration and impurities
Water Flow rate
All controlled by
dissolved Oxygen concentration
CO2
PH level
Dissolved solids
Biologicalfouling
whichchemicalsaremostappropriateforsystem
cleaning
Decided by :
Designer / treatment specialist
The method of construction, i.e. fabrication and jointing methods
The materials of construction, e.g. for pipework, jointing compounds gaskets, seals
valves
Whether prefabricated parts of the system have been pressure tested off site,
and if so how long ago?
The anticipated period between installation of the system and first fill
The anticipated period between first fill of the system and the start of the
chemical clean?
Whether the system has been previously dosed with chemicals, and if so what
type and for what purpose,
Any known restrictions on the disposal of chemicals through public drains
A) Importance of pre-flushing
Properly executed clean water flushing is an
essential pre-requisite to any effective chemical
cleaning programme.
If a system contains significant amounts of loose
installation or corrosion debris and flushing is
not carried out before the chemical clean, then
the result will be a high consumption of
chemicals, while the cleaning effect will be
minimal.
Chemical cleaning must be carried out
immediately after the pre-flush (within 24 hours).
NT 3037 Plant & Maintenance
(Supplementary Information from Dr. Aman WONG)
Theimportanceofflow
Proper system flow ensures ;
Fresh cleaning agents are continually presented to the deposits, to speed up
their dissolution.
The penetration of deposits by the chemicals is assisted by the mechanical
action of the fluid flow
The temperature of cleaning agents (and metal) are kept even around the
system
Insoluble material is kept in suspension and does not re-deposit in the pipework
Accurate quality control is possible due to uniform sample availability
Any gases produced due to the cleaning agent are carried to vent in the flow
stream.
Theimportanceoftemperature
Durationofchemicalcirculationwithinthesystem
D) Duration of chemical
circulation within the system
The required chemical circulation time for a successful
clean is usually between 12 and 72 hours, to run either
continuously or intermittently (in 8 hour periods for
example).
The circulation period depends on the following operating
conditions:
Concentration of cleaning solution
pH of cleaning solution
The type of iron oxide deposits
The types of non-iron oxide constituents in a deposit
Thickness of deposit
Surface condition (hard or soft) of deposit
Disposalofchemicals
Typicalstagesofaclean
Static flushing
Dynamic flushing
Degreasing
Passivation
F) Cleaning Options
There are a number of options for cleaning which arise due to the
different categories of chemicals commonly used. Different
chemicals may be used by different chemicals cleaning specialists
to achieve the same basic results.
A typical chemical cleaning programme is likely to include some or
all of the following procedures:
1. Static flushing
2. Dynamic flushing
3. Degreasing
4. Biocide wash (for systems at risk form bacteria)
5. Removal of surface oxides
(for systems with mild steel components)
6. Effluent disposal / final flushing
7. Neutralisation (for inhibited acid cleans only)
8. Passivation
9. Corrosion inhibitor and biocide dosing
NT 3037 Plant & Maintenance
(Supplementary Information from Dr. Aman WONG)
Choiceofchemicals
Degreasing
F3) Degreasing
If the internal pipework surface of the system is contaminated
with grease or oil it is important that this is removed to ensure
that the subsequent chemical cleaning operations are
successful.
The most commonly used degreasing agents are mild alkali
formulations, such as caustic solutions or detergents.
These are used at various concentrations together with a
wetting agent (surfactant) at system temperatures of up to
100C.
An alternative option would be to use an organic solvent.
Biocidewash
Removalofsurfaceoxides
Thereareanumberofdifferentchemicalprocessesusedforthis activity
Formulatedproducts
Polymer cleaning:
Polymer cleaners, otherwise known as dispersants, act by
creating repellent forces between individual particles in the
solution;
They are therefore able to break down the loose surface
deposits on the pipework and ensure that they stay in
suspension until the chemical is flushed away to drain.
Chelants: Oxides can be removed by application of chelant
formulated agents, otherwise known as complexing agents.
Probably the most established example of a complexing
agent is ethylene diamine tetracetic acid AKA (EDTA).
ChemicalCleaning
F7) Neutralisation
A neutralisation stage may be necessary if an inhibited acid
cleaning agent is used.
The final flushing will have removed the majority of the
cleaning chemical, but to ensure that any isolated pockets of
chemical are rendered harmless, an alkali solution may need
to be introduced to the system.
This may be a separate stage in the process, or it may be
achieved by introducing an alkali water treatment chemical.
The same chemical will then perform the functions of
neutralising agent, passivating agent and corrosion inhibitor.
Treatmentuptosystemhandover
Sidestreamfiltrationunit.
Hydrocyclone unit.
Tutorial
FaultFinding
Tutorial
The BT offices in Cardiff are to be refurbished on a floor by -floor
basis. The company will vacate one floor at a time on a rotational
basis. The building is served by domestic water, Low temperature
hot water (LTHW) and chilled water systems, these are to be
maintained in an operational condition at all times unless prior
agreement to the contrary is obtained . The LTHW and chilled
water feed the fan coil units on all the floors, all the pipework on
the floors are to be replaced, The existing air handling unit,
chillers , boilers and pumps are to be retained , no alteration are
being made to the domestic water system.
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