Biocide Technical Guide
Biofilm consists of microorganisms contained in a matrix of hydrated extracellular polymeric substances. In most biofilms, the microorganisms account for less than 10 percent of the dry mass, with the balance consisting of inorganic ions and extracellular material. A Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image of a bio-fouled reverse osmosis (RO) membrane showing numerous bacilli imbedded in an organic matrix.1 Compared to cellulose acetate, the main disadvantage of polyamide membranes is their intolerance to chlorine and other oxidants. This disadvantage often leads to biofouling of membrane surfaces and feed passages, which can significantly reduce system performance.
Download our Biocide Technical Guide to learn more how to detect and treat this common issue on RO systems.
