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 industrialcooling towers, as they not only reduce the heat transfer capacity but also enhance corrosion. The presentstudy focuses on the efficacy of copper antifouling coat applied over biofilm-forming organisms in industrialcooling towers, with a special emphasis on the quorum-sensing auto inducers and the EPS structure oforganisms capable of forming the biofilm. Study results demonstrated sufficiently that copper coatinghas strong antifouling properties and the potential to prevent the growth of biofilm-forming organisms inindustrial cooling tower systems. N-Acyl Homoserine Lactones is a major component produced bygramnegativebiofilm-forming organisms, and the EPS is an important componentof all the organisms that formbiofilm. The study findings led to the conclusion that use of copper antifouling paint can reduce biofilmformation and its signaling molecules in industrial cooling towers.