Biofilm Control in Wastewater Systems using Free Nitrous Acid - a Renewable Material from Wastewater (2012-2014)
Abstract
The development of unwanted biofilms on the surfaces of wastewater infrastructure and facilities such as sewer pipes causes serious deleterious effects and massive costs. The ability to control the growth of such biofilms is of paramount importance to the water industry. This project aims to develop an innovative technology and the underpinning science to enable biofilm control in wastewater systems using a by-product of wastewater treatment, free nitrous acid. The proposal is based on our recent groundbreaking findings that free nitrous acid at sub-ppm levels is strongly biocidal, causing cell death/lysis and biofilm disintegration. The outcomes will significantly improve the sustainability of wastewater management.
