Transforming Microbial Control for Power Generation
Customer Challenge
A Midwest Coal Fired Power Generation Facility encountered significant challenges in managing microbial growth within the cooling water system. Their reliance on previous biocide solutions, namely sodium hypochlorite, bromine, and mono-chloramine, proved problematic due to the pH-dependent efficiency of sodium hypochlorite, which mandated the addition of sulfuric acid to regulate pH. Additionally, the facility had adopted a competitor’s biocide technology based on mono-chloramine, which required on-site generation and led to several months of inadequate treatment. The consequences of these issues were substantial, resulting in heightened microbial contamination within the cooling tower, elevated back pressure, decreased operational efficiency, visible microbial fouling, and slime in the condenser head boxes.
Our Solution
Water Tech, Inc. proposed the adoption of Oxi-Plus, a biocide formed from the reaction of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) with a non-toxic mineral catalyst, as a solution for water disinfection. Oxi-Plus stands out with its versatility, effectively operating across various pH levels, making it suitable for seasonal pH fluctuations. This innovative oxidant offers significant safety and environmental advantages as it decomposes into harmless byproducts, contributing to enhanced safety and compliance with environmental standards. Oxi-Plus maintains its effectiveness over an extended period, ensuring consistent microbial control. Moreover, it is a cost-effective choice, reducing total operating costs, eliminating the need for capital expenditure, and enabling straightforward monitoring through Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) or chlorine residual measurements.
During the 2023 growing season, Mr. Steven Deitz, a research consultant with Sawtooth Ag Research (Selma, CA) conducted a field study using a new ROS mineral oxychloride disinfectant, JC 9465, to control sour rot in mature (6 years old) wine grapes (cv. French Columbard) vineyard. The test site (vineyard) had a history of virus infections that showed symptomology late in the season when under stress. The study was designed to monitor sour rot and crop yields with four applications during the growing season (March to September). The applications consisted of 1) control, 2) soil irrigation, 3) foliar spray, 4) soil irrigation/foliar spray. For the soil irrigation, they used a 78 mg/l of JC 9465. For the foliar spray, they used 390 mg/l of JC 9465. Treatment occurred on April 26, May 18, June 16, and July 14, 2023.
The results of the study demonstrated a 50% drop in sour rot compared to the control and 50% increase in crop yield using JC 9465 in a foliar application. Using the ROS, mineral oxychloride chemistry, JC 9465, we observed an increase in yield of harvestable clusters per vine (control-60 clusters per 2 vines vs JC 9465-73 clusters per 2 vines) for the foliar application.
Applications
Sour Rot (Removal)*
Clusters/Vine
LBS/2 Vines
Dosage (oz/gal)
Control
0
60
51
0
Foliar
25
73 (+21.7%)
76 (+49.0%)
0.05 oz/gal
Soil
25
67 (+11.7%)
67 (+31.4%)
0.01 oz/gal
Foliar/Soil
50
69 (+15.0%)
71 (+39.2%)
Foliar/Soil
The higher number represents the reduction of sour rot presence in the study.
Using four applications of JC 9465 as a foliar spray, it appears to have increased flow in the xylem and phloem in the plant. This resulted in an increase in water flow and nutrients to improve the plant’s development. Using JC 9465 in the drip system, we added the benefit of changing microbiological composition of the soil to support accelerated root development and plant development.
JC 9465 is a mineral oxychloride disinfectant that is EPA FIFRA registered, USDA NOP certified and USEPA Water approved. Mineral oxychloride chemistry generates a high concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
JC 9465 is currently being tested in several agricultural areas in the US and other countries. The initial results have been like what is being observed in this study. Crop yield varies from 30% to 60%. For more information, email us at charles@jenfitch.com or visit our website, www.jenfitch.com.
What is ROS?
With the introduction of molecular oxygen (O2) into our atmosphere by O2-evolving photosynthesis organisms early in the evolution of aerobic life, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have become an integral part of life. The activation or reduction of oxygen gives rise to reactive ROS that includes the singlet oxygen (1O2), superoxide (O –), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical (HO–). Plants and other living organisms in the oxidizing environment constantly produce ROS in chloroplasts, mitochondria, peroxisomes and other sites of the cell because of their metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and respiration.
The generation of ROS in plants is triggered by different kinds of environmental stresses, such as high light, high or low temperatures, salinity, drought, nutrient deficiency and pathogen attack. Plants and other living organisms have evolved a host of antioxidants and anti-oxidative enzymes and other small molecules to harmlessly dissipate ROS. Imbalance between ROS production and their detoxification by enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions causes oxidative stress. As a result of higher net ROS formation, there is photooxidative damage to DNA, proteins and lipids and ultimately cell death. ROS can also act as a signaling molecule involved in growth and developmental processes, pathogen defense responses such as hypersensitive reaction and systemic acquired resistance, stress hormones production, acclimation and programmed cell death. In a controlled application of JC 9465, we can achieve and harness the power of ROS to stimulate and support healthy plant development and higher yields.
Jenfitch, Inc based in Walnut Creek, CA has developed a new oxidant that is effective at lowering TOC, reducing THM’s and HAA5’s, eliminating T & O (taste and odors), effective at controlling HAB’s (harmful algal blooms), improve coagulation & flocculation, eliminate biofilm formation in the distribution systems, and improve the effectiveness of your primary disinfectant.
Jenfitch’ s JC 9465 is one of a series of advanced oxidant using mineral oxychloride technology (MxClyOz) to help improve the removal of pathogens, organic contaminants and inorganic contaminants. JC 9465 is a new and advanced oxidant that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and is NSF Standard 60 approved up to 84 mg/l. ROS are chemically reactive chemicals species that contain oxygen (i.e., ozone, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical ions, peroxides, and superoxide). The main advantage of using JC 9465 is its ability to generate a high concentration of hydroxyl radical ions initially. Hydroxyl radical ions are extremely reactive, and they react with any molecule in its path, turning that molecule into a free radical and thus propagating a chain reaction. At low concentrations, it can disinfect and eliminate organic and inorganic pathogens in a water treatment system without creating disinfection by-products. In Figure 1, we compare the oxidizing potential of various oxidizing reagents using Electrochemical Potential (Ev):
Oxidizing Reagent
Ev
Hydroxyl Radical Ion (OH–)
2.6-2.8
Mineral Oxychloride (MxOyCLz)
2.6-2.8
Ozone (O3)
2.04-2.07
Permanganate (MnO4)
1.67
Chlorine Gas (Cl2)
1.36
Hypochlorous Acid (HOCL)
1.49
Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2)
0.95
In a study at a 10 mgd water treatment facility in Northern California that was using ozone in front of their filters, we achieved the following results in a 90-day study using a dosage rate of 8-10 mg/l of JC 9465 as a pre-oxidant:
Parameters
Before
After Using JC 9450
% Improvement
Raw Water Turbidity (NTU)
2.3
2.1
Settled Water Turbidity (NTU)
0.70
0.21
+70.0%
Raw Water-NOM
0.158
0.115
Filtered Water NOM
0.044
0.017
+61.4%
Raw Water (TOC)
4.6
3.7
Filtered Water TOC
2.2
1.1
+50.0%
Raw Water Bromide (µ/𝑙)
300
300
Filtered Water Bromate (µ/l)
8.4
1.7
+79.8%
Filtered Water TTHM’s (µ/l)
20.0
8.7
+56.5%
Filtered Water HAA5’s (µ/l)
6.0
0
100.0%+
T & O Complaints (Aug)
15+
0
The Plant Manager for the City of Martinez, Mr. Chris Kania, wanted to see if the new mineral oxychloride, JC 9465, could help reduce the ozone demand at his water treatment plant. His ozone system was over 20 years in service and needed to be replaced and the City of Martinez was in the design stages of replacing the system. He initially dosed the raw water influent with 0.5 mg/l of 12.5% sodium hypochlorite in hope that it would allow him to operate ozone generators at 60-70% of rated capacity. This did not work. Next, Mr. Kania started feeding JC 9465 at 10 mg/l into the raw water inlet and immediately had to turn the ozone generator down to 40% of rated capacity. At this new feed rate for the ozone generators, he was able to maintain a 0.20 mg/l to 0.30 mg/l ozone residual at a rated flow rate of 10 mgd and lower energy consumption by 50-60%.
Enhanced Coagulation
After several days of running JC 9465, plant operators noticed pin floc carrying over into the filter basis. The plant was feeding 35 mg/l of alum (dry basis) and 1.4 mg/l of a 20% polydadmac. The Plant Manager contacted a chemical vendor to evaluate several different coagulants and flocculants. The results of the study were: 1) change from 47.5% alum to 5% acidified alum and 2) change from a 20% polydadmac coagulant to an ACH/polymer blend, JC 1670.
The results from changing the organic and inorganic coagulant were: 1) better control of pH in the Settling Basin (6.8-6.9), 2) Settled Water turbidity went from 0.70 NTU to 0.21 NTU, 3) Filtered Water Turbidity went from 0.06 NTU to 0.02 NTU, 4) Filtered Water TOC went from 2.2 mg/l to 1.1 mg/l and 5) Dissolved Organic Carbon went from 2.2 mg/l to 1.1 mg/l.
Lowering Bromate in Ozone System
Prior to starting the plant trial with JC 9465, the monthly results for bromate was 18 µl/l. The State and Federal limits were 10µl/l or less. The ozone system was over 20 years+ and needed replacement or upgrading. Estimated cost ranged from$10MM to over $50MM.
The plant operating goal for the ozone generators was to maintain a 0.20 mg/l to 0.30 mg/l residual. To achieve this goal at a flow rate 10 mgd, the ozone generators had to be operated at over 110%+ rated capacity. Because of the high concentration of bromide in their source water (+300µl/l), they had the potential to convert bromide to bromate.
The plant started feeding JC 9465 at 10 mg/l in front of the flash mixer. Within an hour, the ozone generators were being operated at less than 40% of rated capacity. The plant observed an immediate reduction in energy consumption. Chlorine consumption was reduced by 40% going to the clear well. In the following monthly testing, the bromate residual was less than 1.0 µl/l during the entire study.
Conclusion
By feeding JC 9465 at 10 mg/l into the flash mixer, we observed an improvement in water quality going to the distribution system. The plant operators noticed a reduction in T & O (taste and odor) complaints (Previous Year-over 15+ and during the study-none).
Biofilm and algae growth in the clarifiers and weirs was eliminated. The particle density and clarity in the Sed Basin improved.
Sludge from the Sed Basin was easier to dewater with the existing system.
Reduction of Disinfection By-Products in the clearwell. The effluent from the plant went from 20µl/l
(TTHM’s) to less than 8.7µl/l (TTHM’s) and 6.0µl/l (HAA5’s) to-non detect.
Using JC 9465, we achieved a 70% removal of TOC vs 52% (current). This indicates removal of more dissolved organic carbon and improvement in coagulation. This is what has been observed using ozone as a pre-treatment.
JC 9465 is a new mineral oxychloride chemistry is that designed to help bring water and wastewater treatment plants into the 21st Century. It is NSF Std 60 certified and USEPA FIFRA registered as a primary disinfectant.
