EGIDION - Biofilm Sensors
Biofilm phenomenon, characterized by bacterial growth on internal surfaces of pipes and tanks in contact with water and other liquids, poses significant challenges across various industries. At EGIDION, we offer a cutting-edge digital online-monitoring solution for continuous biofilm prevention and detection. Our technology utilizes Biological Electrochemical Signal (BES) to effectively prevent biofilm growth by indicating bacterial coverage on surfaces in real-time, enabling proactive measures against potential risks.
It is a thin but a robust layer of mucilage adhering to a solid surface and containing a community of bacteria and other microorganizms.
Planktonic cells
Free floating bacteria in liquid represents less than 10% of all bacteria in the piping system
A biofilm comprises any syntrophic consortium of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other and often also to a surface.
These adherent cells become embedded within a slimy extracellular matrix that is composed of extracellular polymeric substance
- Reversible Attachment : Attachment of bacteria to surface
- Irreversible Attachment : Formation of layer and production of matrix, forming of EPS -Extracellular polymeric substances
- Growth : Microcolony formation, multilayer
- Maturation : Microcolony, mature biofilm with characteristic mushroom formed of polysaccharide
- Dispersal : Detachment and reversion to platonic growth, starting the new cycle
Bacterial biofilm development in fluid environments poses numerous challenges, including corrosion, equipment failure, energy loss, reduced performance, increased energy consumption, and resistance to antimicrobial treatments. These issues can escalate, leading to pipe blockage and plant downtime.
Early intervention is crucial. Sanitation treatments should be applied promptly upon biofilm detection, as mature biofilms are more difficult and costly to eradicate due to their thicker extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix, rendering them highly resistant.
Mature biofilms pose additional risks as their outer layers detach and spread, potentially contaminating other areas of the plant. Standard laboratory analysis and bacteria detection kits have limitations, as they are time-consuming and may not accurately represent bacterial abundance, given that most bacteria reside within biofilms rather than free in the fluid.
To mitigate the risk of dangerous bacterial contamination, immediate biofilm detection is imperative. Biofilm sensors play a pivotal role in monitoring biofilm formation, enabling proactive intervention to minimize risks and ensure operational efficiency.
Our cutting-edge biofilm sensor system offers rapid return on investment (ROI) across various industrial sectors. Industrial plants can achieve ROI of up to 100% in just one month, while Food & Beverage production plants can see returns of 100% in one week. Power plants affected by biofilm growth can experience daily ROI of 100%.
Our technology delivers numerous benefits, including significant reductions in chemical usage, enhanced microbiological safety, prevention of customer complaints, and improved heat-exchange efficiency. In power plants, these advancements can boost production by up to 30%.
Our biofilm sensors find applications across diverse industries, including food production, soft drink production, water distribution networks, mineral water bottling, Legionella prevention, power plant water treatment, cooling tower water treatment, once-through cooling systems, industrial reverse osmosis, reverse osmosis desalination, and pulp and paper manufacturing.
By harnessing the power of biofilm sensors, industries can optimize operations, improve efficiency, and ensure the highest standards of safety and performance.
- Food production
- Soft drink production
- Water Distribution Networks
- Mineral water bottling
- Legionella prevention
- Power plant water treatment
- Cooling tower water treatment
- Cooling towers and bacteria
- Once-through cooling systems
- Industrial reverse osmosis
- Reverse osmosis desalination
- Pulp and paper
- Biogas upgrading plants
Our sensors monitor the bio-electrochemical signal produced by bacteria. This signal is directly linked to the biological activity of bacteria, and it is proportional to the surface area covered by biofilm. Therefore, the system monitors just living bacteria, not other kinds of fouling (e.g. mineral deposit, fats, proteins, etc.).
A Biofilm Monitoring System includes one or more sensors, connected to a data acquisition system (PLC, DCS, PC, etc.) through the standard communication protocols like RS485 MODBUS and 4-20 mA.
- A001S3 probe, for highly corrosive environments, moderate heat and chemical resistance.
- A001S3 probe, for highly corrosive environments, moderate heat and chemical resistance.
- AS01S3 andAS11S3 (with clamp connection), with hygienic connection to the process, flat surface in contact with the liquid and high resistance to chemical treatments, this model is indicated for applications where hygiene is critical.
- AX03S3, ATEX certified, this model is indicated for classified areas and applications where there is a risk of explosion (e.g. Oil&Gas).