Biofilm Management

What Are Biofilms?
Biofilms are communities of microorganisms that stick to surfaces and create a protective layer called extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). This shield helps them grow quickly and spread within days.

How Biofilms Form:

1. Attachment: Free-floating bacteria stick to a surface.
2. EPS Production: Bacteria produce a protective matrix.
3. Maturation: The biofilm develops stable layers with diverse microbes.
4. Dispersion: Microbes release and spread to new areas.

Why Biofilm Management Matters:
Even a thin biofilm can reduce system efficiency by 10% and increase energy costs up to 4x, affecting HVAC systems, energy infrastructure, and water treatment processes.

Common Biofilms and Their Impacts:

Pseudomonas

• Industries: Buildings, healthcare, HVAC systems
• Impact: Reduced HVAC efficiency, higher energy costs, increased maintenance.

Sulphate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB)

• Industries: Oil & gas, water treatment
• Impact: Corrosion of pipelines and equipment, causing failures and costly downtime.

Legionella pneumophila

• Industries: Hospitality, healthcare
• Impact: Health risks from contaminated air and water, leading to liability and reputational damage.

Mixed Microbial Communities

• Industries: HVAC, data centers, power generation
• Impact: Higher energy use, frequent breakdowns, and intensive maintenance.

The Importance of Biofilm Management:

• Reduce Costs: Prevent increased energy use, system clogs, and high maintenance expenses.
• Improve Safety: Minimize contamination risks in healthcare, food, and water systems.
• Boost Efficiency: Continuous monitoring and targeted treatments keep systems running efficiently, saving money and mitigating health risks.

DID YOU KNOW?

There is a $4 Trillion yearly global impact from biofilms and resultant Microbially induced corrosion (MIC)

Cognituv Connect is a cloud-based platform that integrates with Cognituv products, offering real-time monitoring and insights for optimal system performance.

• Continuous Data Monitoring: Real-time tracking of metrics allows for immediate response to any changes, ensuring consistent quality.
• Cloud Connectivity: Secure cloud integration enables access to data from anywhere, facilitating remote monitoring and management of your systems.
• Real-Time Measurement & Verification (M&V): Provide ongoing verification of system performance, offering transparency and assurance that processes are effective and standards are met.
• Proactive Maintenance: By analyzing data trends and performance metrics, predictive analytics improves Uptime and extends equipment life. 
• Customizable Alerts: Set specific thresholds for performance indicators to receive alerts, enabling calm optimized responses. 

Implementing Cognituv Connect enhances your oversight and control over your facilities.