Monitoring Biomass in (Cooling Tower) Waters through ATP monitoring

The TOXcontrol can be used for ATP monitoring. Currently our company is doing research for further developments for this application on the TOXcontrol.

Monitoring the microbial population of cooling towers is necessary in order to maintain the proper operation of the system. Conventional methods for monitoring microbial populations work by culturing microorganisms, a time-consuming procedure that requires days or even weeks of incubation before the results are known. Biofouling can be well-advanced before treatment begins. In addition, it is believed that this technique does not detect the full range of microbial life present in cooling systems.

A more effective product is ATP-based technology, which makes possible real-time assessments of microbial populations. It measures the light produced when enzyme reagents react with ATP, a substance found in all living cells. On-line test can now be performed, results automatically read and corrective actions initiated within minutes of sample collection and analysis.

Adenosine-5-trifosfate (ATP) can best be described as the energy-carrier in all living cells. The ATPcontrol (a new, online ATP monitor) is specifically designed in order to automatically determine the level of microbial contamination in water samples, by which the effectiveness of additives and biocides on microbial growth can be determined. The ATPcontrol can be applied at all industrial systems where information is needed on the level of microbial activity. Within the monitor, the amount of light production correlates with the amount of ATP in the sample, which in turn is a relative measure for the microbial activity. The advantage of this system is the short determination time of several minutes.

The TOXcontrol can be used for ATP monitoring. Currently our company is doing research for further developments for this application on the TOXcontrol.

Herewith some publications about this application:
– A study for biofilm formation in plumbing products
– An ATP based method for monitoring Drinkingwater Quality

For more information please go to our contact page.

During aerobic and anaerobic decomposition reactions nitrogen from nitrogen-containing organic substances is first converted to ammonium. The subsequent two-step microbial oxidation of ammonia to nitrate via nitrite is called nitrification. In soil as well as in water it is performed by nitrifying bacteria, a fact which is used for the purification of waste water in sewage plants. Nitrification is an important step during waste water purification in order to keep the concentration of ammonia ions in the effluents of the sewage plant as low as possible. Additionally, nitrification is prerequisite for the denitrification for complete nitrogen elimination, which is required for waste water treatment in many countries.

The solution for nitrification control: BioFix® A-Tox and N-Tox
With BioFix® nitrification inhibition tests you can now easily determine the nitrification inhibition in waste waters of all kinds as well as nitrification inhibition by individual substances or substance mixtures. Below some information about this test:
BioFix nitrification inhibition test A-Tox N-Tox
Manual of inhibition test.

For more information please go to our contact page

Currently our company is doing research to see if this application can be use on our on-line monitor.