Method for removal of biofilm
AssigneeLonza Ltd.
InventorsMichael Ludensky, Philip G. Sweeny
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for the removal of biofilm, flocculent bulked sludge or bulked biologically active sludge from an aqueous system. The method involves adding one or more chlorinated hydantoins, such as dichloro- or monochlorodialkylhydantoin, to the aqueous system. Alternatively, the chlorinated hydantoin may be formed in situ by adding a chlorine source and an alkylated hydantoin separately to the aqueous system. The invention is particularly advantageous because of the outstanding photostability of the chlorinated hydantoin solutions even when exposed to sunlight.
Claims17
A method of disintegrating biofilm in an aqueous system, which comprises adding to or forming in an aqueous medium of the aqueous system containing the biofilm a chlorinated hydantoin comprising a monochlorodialkylhydantoin, dichlorodialkylhydantoin or a mixture thereof in an amount sufficient to disintegrate the biofilm and remove the biofilm from surfaces in said aqueous system, wherein the alkyl group of the chlorinated hydantoin contains from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
A method of removing biofilm from a substrate in an aqueous medium which comprises:
- adding to or forming in said aqueous medium monochlorodimethylhydantoin, dichlorodimethylhydantoin, or a mixture thereof in an amount sufficient to remove the biofilm from the substrate in the aqueous medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.