Dow Biocides Introduces AQUCAR RO-20 For RO Membranes

Singapore — Demonstrating its commitment to providing quality solutions that ease customer challenges, Dow Biocides, a business division of The Dow Chemical Company, announces the introduction of AQUCAR™ RO microbiocide to its water treatment product portfolio. The only product of its kind to receive NSF International certification under NSF/ANSI standard for personal drinking purposes, AQUCAR RO microbiocide is a costeffective way to prevent biofouling from interfering with reverse osmosis membrane performance.

By virtually eliminating the buildup of slime and sessile bacteria, AQUCAR RO microbiocide guards against membrane damage that can lead to increased energy and operating costs. It is based on the active molecule DBNPA (2,2-dibromo- 3-nitrilopropionamide), a well-known biocide that provides quick kill efficacy against a broad spectrum of microorganisms and quickly decomposes to non-toxic end products. In addition, AQUCAR RO microbiocide is soluble in water and glycols for convenient, metered addition to reverse osmosis ("RO") feed water.

"Key performance characteristics of RO membranes are compromised when biological matter is introduced," said Per Westin, global marketing manager for water treatment, Dow Biocides. "By virtually eliminating biofouling with AQUCAR RO microbiocide, municipal and industrial treatment operators can trust that their water plants will run efficiently, with increased productivity and increased life span of membrane module elements."

Because bacteria will grow almost anywhere water is present, all reverse osmosis systems – especially those with seawater or brackish surface water feeds – will be vulnerable to biological fouling. The resulting sessile bacteria is difficult to kill because it can quickly become numerous, modify its metabolism, and form a consortium of species.

"Dow Biocides leads the industry in creating new and improved solutions to microbial challenges like these," said Mark Henning, general manager, Dow Biocides. "We saw a place in the market for a water treatment biocide that provided customers with quick kill efficacy while also meeting NSF International environment and health standards. The development of AQUCAR RO microbiocide serves as an example of how Dow Biocides can modify an existing chemistry to create superior new products worthy of certification from one of the most stringent sanitation organizations in the world," Henning said.

For global biocides solutions in application technology, challenge testing, regulatory compliance, process chemistry and operations excellence, think Dow Biocides first. Boasting the largest and most diverse product portfolio combined with a range of registrations unparalleled in the industry, Dow Biocides is committed to providing answers to just about every type of microbial challenge and system requirement across a wide range of markets around the world.

SOURCE: The Dow Chemical Company