NOVEL BIOFILM CONTROL TECHNOLOGY FOR PAPER MACHINES.

Paper manufacturing in the neutral-alkaline pH range requires a rigorous microbiological control program in order to avoid runability issues caused by slime growth on machine surfaces. Oxidative biocides, especially stabilizedchlorine compounds, are most commonly used in wet-end for controlling pink slime growth. However, chlorinebased programs do contain the risk of causing machine corrosion damages as an unintended and costly side effect. Running with significantly lower chlorine levels would naturally alleviate the corrosion issue, however, it can result in massive uncontrolled slime growth. Therefore, it would be beneficial to discover a new antibiofilm chemistry, specifically targeting surface-attached bacteria. Using this kind of biofilm-targeted chemistry would enable reducing the chlorine dosing, without facing pink-slime issues. In a university collaboration project, a large library of molecules was screened with the purpose of identifying a promising new antibiofilm chemistry. The project led to the identification of a new molecule, B11. This paper shows the results obtained from the first B11 tests in authentic paper making conditions. It demonstrated biofilm inhibition at a uniquely low concentration of 0.05 mg/l. At this dosage level, its magnitudes are more effective than any organic biocide molecules currently on the market. This new technology has great potential to become the antibiofilm product of choice, when reduction of chlorine-chemistries is perceived as beneficial. This could become necessary due to on-going corrosion issues with machinery or in connection with water system closure project. A biocide program including a very low daily consumption of B11 and reduced dose of chlorine-compounds enables running a paper machine with maximized corrosion safety and effective biofilm control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]