Ultrasonic Algae & Biofilm Control

Environmental Sustainability Through Innovation

Useable water is a basic building block for environmental sustainability. Achieving this goal is an ever increasing economic challenge as well as environmental. Protection of this natural resource is essential. Water quality around the world has been deteriorating while demand increases.

In the past, chemicals have been used to control algae and cyanobacteria in lakes and reservoirs or control of biofilm in circulation piping. In addition to being costly, heavy chemical treatments have created unintended consequences. Europe has banned the use of herbicides. In the United States, there is increase pressure to limit or ban entirely the amount of copper based herbicides. The commercial stimulus caused by the lack of herbicides for control of algae, and the growing public perception that nothing should be added to water, has lead to the development of new generations of ultrasonic devices designed to control algae growth while not disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems.

Most algae including blue-green react to ultrasound frequencies between 20 and 60 KHz, but exposure time and pulse length are also important variables. In field applications for more than 10 years, ultrasonic units have proven to be an effective non-invasive method for controlling algae growth in lakes and reservoirs. More recently, significant developments have been achieved in applying this technology to recirculation systems such as cooling towers. Combinations of the various ultrasonic units can be used in key locations. Ultrasonic technology can be used as a stand alone treatment depending on the species of algae or in conjunction with other products for improving water quality.

In real-life environments, every water body is different and ever changing. Understanding of the various bio-mechanisms involved at the cellular level as well as within ecosystems will ultimately be the guide for the use of ultrasonic algae and biofilm control in water treatment of the many different applications.

Proven Applications:

Combining science and engineering, the future of an ecologically balanced approach for controlling algae and biofilm is available now.