Study of the activity of quaternary ammonium compounds in the mitigation of biofouling in heat exchangers-condensers cooled by seawater.

The effectiveness of two quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) (non-oxidising biocides) to reduce the growth of biofilm adhering to the tubes of a heat exchanger-condenser cooled by seawater was evaluated. Their effectiveness was compared to that of a conventional oxidising biocide (sodium hypochlorite [NaOCl]) under the same testing conditions. Each biocide was applied intermittently (6 h on, 6 h off) in a first shock stage (1.5 ppm over 8 days) and a second stabilising stage (0.5 ppm over 20 days). The results showed that the antifouling effectiveness of the first of the QACs (fifth generation) was comparable to that shown by the oxidising power of NaOCl. Although the reaction time was longer than that of NaOCl, both the compounds removed the biofilm, and the tube was practically restored to its clean condition. Treatment with the second of the QACs (fourth generation) allowed for the stabilisation of biofilm growth, but not for its removal. Ecotoxicology studies classified the QACs as environmentally harmless under the testing conditions.