5D Health Protection Group Ltd - Industrial and Engineered Systems

Biofouling, Corrosion & Water Testing

A common engineering challenge is biological fouling referred to as biofouling. This is the build up of microorganisms, biofilms and biological matter on surfaces. This microbial contamination in water systems is a global problem. Microbial infections within water treatment plants for example pose a wide spread health risk to the population. When these infections become biofilm related, they can prove exceptionally difficult to remove from tubes, pipes and water vats. For example, biofilm formation on the hulls of ships costs the shipping industries billions of dollars. Excessive layers of biofilm material increases the drag, resulting in extra fuel to combat this.

Biofouling is prevalent in medicine and industrial environments. In medicine fouling for example can occur on orthopaedic implants, respirators, contact lenses, catheters, heamodialysis and biosensor systems. In engineered systems biofouling can occur on ships hulls, engines, marine platforms and in drinking water.

Controlling biofouling can be achieved a number of different ways in these sectors. At 5D we have extensive skills and knowledge in biofouling development and control and the public health issues associated with biofilms in hospital water supplies and potable water.

What We Offer

At 5D we offer many tests, models and assays that are used to evaluate the efficacy and performance of biocides, antimicrobial surfaces, paints and other antimicrobial products in order to investigate their ability to prevent and remove both planktonic and biofilm encased microbial populations.

We offer a large number of different microbiology and biofilm testing models and procedures. For further information about all the different scientific testing we can perform please see our scientific services pages. However, please find below some examples of some of the services we offer related to biofouling, biofilms, corrosion and public health microbiology.

Planktonic Microbiology Testing

Contaminant identification including sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB)
Bioburden and microbial contamination assessment
Environmental monitoring
Total Viable Counts
Identification of problematic microbes eg Pseudomonas aeruginosa, coliform, Staphylococcus aureus
Microbial induced corrosion (MIC) testing

Examples of Biofilm Testing

We are able to offer a number of different models that can be used to simulate biofilms in potable and industrial water systems. 5D have over 25 years experience of working with biofilms in industrial situations. We offer a very flexible and adaptable service to ensure all our customers receive information and data that is most appropriate for their needs. The more routinely used models we utilise for our customers are shown below.

Minimum Biofilm Eradication Concentration (MBEC) assay - In this model the biofilm is grown according to the standard ASTM E2799 – 17 (Standard Test Method for Testing Disinfectant Efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm using the MBEC Assay).
CDC Biofilm Reactor - In this model the biofilm is grown according to the standard ASTM E2562 - 17 (standard test method for quantification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm grown with high shear and continuous flow using CDC biofilm reactor). 5D have adapted this model to grow an array of different biofilms using both single and multispecies aerobic and anaerobic biofilms.
Drip Flow Biofilm Reactor - In this model the biofilm is grown according to the standard ASTM E2647 - 13 (standard test method for quantification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm grown with using drip flow biofilm reactor with low shear and continuous flow). The model has been validate by 5D for use with monoculture and mixed culture biofilms.

Our Experience

We have extensive experience with water and environmental sector testing and have worked with various industrial, commercial and public-sector bodies to test and evaluate such things as:

Broad spectrum biocides
Potable water
Borehole water
Industrial water
Antimicrobial paints
Antifouling products
Wastewater systems
Water cooling systems
Non-sterile manufacturing water systems

We offer a range of test methodologies including:

Contaminant identification
Pathogen or specific organism detection and isolation
Bioburden assessment
Total viable count (TVC)
Total viable yeast count
Environmental monitoring
ASTM G29-96: Standard practice for determining algal resistance of plastic films.

Biofouling and Corrosion Testing

We have extensive expertise in biofouling and the microbially-influenced corrosion (MIC) of materials – a common cause of failure in engineered systems.

We test on behalf of utilities companies for the protection of drinking water pipes; the food and beverage industry; the oil and gas sector and for shipping and structures in the marine environment.

In engineered systems, premature failure of equipment is generally due to MIC – a consequence of the growth and proliferation of biofilms.

When microorganisms grow within a biofilm they are tolerant to routinely used biocides, and therefore, the monitoring and detection of biofilms should be routine in any engineered system.

Our expertise and skills in biofouling and MIC have been employed to research corrosion in areas including:

Hospital, industrial and drinking-water pipework
Oil pipeline systems
Structures in the marine environment
Turbine systems
Paints
Biodeterioration of concrete

Examples of Testing Performed For Customers in the Water Industry

Examples of some of the testing we perform for customers in the water industry include:

Biofilm detection and control in plumbing systems
Biofilm control on stainless steel
Efficacy of copper on biofilms
Coliform detection
Total Viable Counts (TVC)
Environmental monitoring
Microbiological monitoring using settle/contact plates
Microbial influenced corrosion detection and identification
Metal ion analysis using ICP/MS and biosensor technology

Our microbiology experts assist our customers in mitigating their risks to their infrastructure, processes, equipment and also personnel. We have undertaken many studies in measuring the microbial growth in petroleum storage tanks, investigating and testing potable water and investigating the corrosion issues that are associated with different microbes in particular the sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB).

To discuss your scientific testing related to biofilms, biofouling, corrosion and control of microorganisms please contact us at info@5Dhpg.com or call on +44 (0) 151 794 9279.