A Comprehensive Study on the Efficacy of Copper Antifouling Coat on Biofilm-Formingorganisms in Industrial Cooling Towers

Abstract

Cooling water systems serve as an ideal aquatic environment for microorganisms to proliferate and colonize. Biofouling and scaling are two major factors that adversely influence the water-cooling efficacy of industrial cooling towers, as they not only reduce the heat transfer capacity but also enhance corrosion. The present study focuses on the efficacy of copper antifouling coat applied over biofilm-forming organisms in industrial cooling towers, with a special emphasis on the quorum-sensing auto inducers and the EPS structure of organisms capable of forming the biofilm. Study results demonstrated sufficiently that copper coating has strong antifouling properties and the potential to prevent the growth of biofilm-forming organisms in industrial cooling tower systems. N-Acyl Homoserine Lactones is a major component produced bygramnegative biofilm-forming organisms, and the EPS is an important componentof all the organisms that form biofilm. The study findings led to the conclusion that use of copper antifouling paint can reduce biofilm formation and its signaling molecules in industrial cooling towers.