Biofilm in Water Circuits
Biofilm is a layer of microorganisms attached to pipes, tanks and wet surfaces and protected by a matrix that they secrete themselves.
This matrix of polymeric substances protects the microorganisms from ordinary detergents and disinfectants, which is why a biofilm can remain active after an apparently correct cleaning and recontaminate the water or the product. It forms in pipes, tanks, heat exchangers, CIP circuits, seals, conveyor belts and drains, and in water installations it can harbour Legionella.
How it is detected and treated, according to the technical data sheets of Instaquim products:
- Detection: Insta Check Pro is sprayed onto the surface; if effervescence appears within about one minute, biofilm is present.
- Open surfaces in the food industry: Enzi Foam at 3–6 % or Enzi Foam Pro at 1–3 %, applied as foam at 40–55 ºC; they can be boosted with Enzim Pro at 0.2 %.
- CIP circuits: Enzi NF at 1–3 %, circulated for 30–120 minutes at 40–50 ºC, or Ten Cip at 0.2–0.5 % with Enzim Pro at 0.05 %, circulated for 20–60 minutes at 40–55 ºC. The disinfectant is applied after the enzymatic treatment.
- Cooling towers and evaporative condensers: Bacter 200, a biocide for Legionella treatment (registration no. 21-100-04598; UNE-EN 13623 test), applied by specialised professional staff: at the start, when slime is present, 0.2–0.4 % every 7 days; for maintenance, 0.1–0.2 % weekly.
Prevention means avoiding stagnant water and dead legs, cleaning and checking critical points regularly and, in domestic hot water, keeping the temperatures set by Spanish RD 487/2022: at least 60 ºC in the storage tank and 50 ºC in the return.
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