Other applications

Water Biostability

Regrowth processes in water systems may lead to hygienic, aesthetic and technical problems. Mycometer has developed a simple protocol for using Bactiquant as a Biostability assesment tool. The method is based on determining the growth potential of the indigenous bacterial population. Plant operaters can use the results to optimize water treatment processes for removal of readily available substrates for bacterial growth.

The figure shows data from a Surface Water Treatment Plant. The Bactiquant Biostability assay indicates a high growth potential following oxzone tretament. The GAC filtration reduced the growth potential significantly. Plant operaters can use the Biostability assay to 1. Verify that processes meet the specifications 2. Optimize Water Treatment Processes to maintain a high water biostability.

Bacterial numbers in slurries of desulfurization systems in coal-fired Power Plants
Periodic problems with reduced Mercury retention and foul smells in the desulfurization slurry of a major coal-fired Power Plant were related to increased microbial activities in the slurry. Traditional methods to estimate bacterial activity in the slurry were labour intensive and time consuming.

Mycometer developed an adaptation of the BactiQuant® method for use in desulfurization slurries. This method has reduced the analysis time from days to one hour.

The BactiQuant® slurry adaptation is currently used to monitor bacterial activities in near real time on the slurry. The new method has provided the Power Plant engineers with an operational tool that facilitate early warning of increased bacterial activity and allow them to implement immediate counter measures stabilising the mercury retention and decreasing problems with foul smells. 

Air sampling
Result categories for air samples analysis is currently being developed in cooperation with Dr. Ragnar Rylander BioFact Sweden with financial support from the Swedish Water & Wastewater Association (SWWA).

The BactiQuant adaptation for use in air sampling was tested in a feasibility study, conducted by BioFact Sweden, on four different air sampling methods; ATTP 0,8 mμ, Millipore filter connected to a sampling pump, Glass impingers, ioniser and the OMNI 3000 Cyclone air sampler. The study showed a significant relationship between BactiQuant® test results and endotoxin in air samples from a sewage plant.