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Disinfection of Pseudomonas bacteria

Disinfection of Pseudomonas bacteria

Disinfection of Pseudomonas bacteria

(OP)
Hello,

I am looking for any info or case histories of disinfecting pipes and wells that have growth of Pseudomonas bacteria.  I am working on a project involving a remediation groundwater pump and treat system.  The treated water is then re-injected into the subsurface by using injection wells.  The discharge piping and wells seem to be getting clogged w/ the bacteria.  

I am planning to do a pilot test to evaluate Na hypochlorite.  I am also possibly thinking of checking out "mixed oxidants" generated by a Miox Co. system.  Anyone have any thoughts on either of these treatments for this appplication?

RE: Disinfection of Pseudomonas bacteria

Mdszj,

Your best bet is to contact a chemical company like a Nalco or a Betz as they have an extensive library of applications.  Sodium Hypochlorite is low cost and kills most bacteria, but not all so it does pay to check.

Advanced oxidation techniques have become popular in the last few years using UV and Ozone to disinfect, and are more successful in destroying bacteria.  However, those systems also use Hypochlorite to have a lasting residual.

The other chemicals that are now getting a strong look for these applications are Chlorine Dioxide, and also different stabilized Bromine compounds.

Hope this helps,

Glenn
www.panner.com

RE: Disinfection of Pseudomonas bacteria

There is not much point in pilot testing this.  Sodium hypochlorite is commonly used for this and will do the job.  You may have to use Isothiazolin on an infrequent basis for microbials resistant to chlorine.

RE: Disinfection of Pseudomonas bacteria

mdszj:

I would look to see what you can reinject into the sytem since you are doing a pump and treat.  Adding chemicals to a remediation system is not usually considered good practice.  Chlorine is one of those chemicals since it maintains a residual and could possible react with the water you are treating to create other compunds.  The agency governing your system and the permit you have for the system should give you a better understanding of the impacts of adding other chemicals.

As far as your problems with your system, it is a common occurance in similar systems since you are most likely treating the upper water levels in the aquifer you are trying to clean up.  I don't want to recommend something since I know verry little about your specific project, but I have had success with government regulators when I asked them for guidance since they were working on other similar projects to the ones I was working on.

BobPE

RE: Disinfection of Pseudomonas bacteria

You need to check the primary food source of Pseudomonas first, then you should eliminate those food source and the Pseudomonas should be reduced.

RE: Disinfection of Pseudomonas bacteria

Are you sure it's Pseudomonas bacteria?  We had a system that was clogging and ran Phospholipid fatty acid and DNA tests in order to understand the culture.      

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