A Guide to Using Biocides

Biodispersants

There are five chemically different Biodispersant series:

Biocidal Biodispersant- Cooling water biodispersant (glutaraldehyde +

non-ionic surfactant)

Biocidal Biodispersant- Cooling water biodispersant (fatty diamine +

dialkyl quaternary amine)

Non- biocidal Biodispersant- Cooling water “halogen helper” (non-ionic

surfactant)

Tablet form - Cooling water/water hygiene fast Cl2-release agent

(dichlorotriazinetrione)

Hypochlorite based- Cooling water chlorinating biodispersant

(hypochlorite solution + surfactant)

The Glutaraldehyde + Non-ionic Biodispersant and Fatty Diamine +

Dialkyl Quaternary Amine Biodispersant products are the two main cooling
water biodispersant series which combine biocidal and dispersant properties.
They are designed to remove biofilms (surface-attached microbial slime
layers) from open evaporative cooling and similar systems. The non-ionic
surfactant in the Biodispersant is readily biodegradable. The Fatty Diamine +
Dialkyl Quaternary Amine Biodispersants also possesses anti-algal activity.
They can be used as part of an alternating biocide treatment programme or
on an ad hoc basis to complement a microbiological programme.

“Halogen helper” non-ionic

surfactant Biodispersants are non-biocidal dispersing agent used in cooling
systems in conjunction with oxidising biocides, especially bromine. It assists
oxidisers in penetrating and removing biofilms. It has no inherent biocidal
activity. The surfactant on which the Biodispersant 1050 series is based is
readily biodegradable.

Quick chlorine-release tablets are used to shock chlorinate cooling and

other engineered water systems. Isocyanuric acid released with the chlorine
protects the halogen from ultra-violet photodegradation. Tablets dissolve
rapidly to provide a furnish of free chlorine which form hypochlorous acids in
water. A simple on-site test can be used to monitor free chlorine levels. Like
other forms of chlorine, Quick chlorine-release tablets should not be used in
system with a pH greater than about 8.5.

Sodium Hypochlorite Solution containing Biodispersant is a blend of

chlorinating solution and a chlorine-resistant surfactant. It is designed to
provide disinfecting and biodispersing activity when dosed into cooling water
systems. It is not suitable for use in domestic and potable water systems. The
surfactant is readily biodegradable.

Biocides

Common Non-Oxidising Biocides for open evaporative cooling circuits:

Isothiazolinone

Fatty diamine

Polymeric biguanide

Polymeric quaternary amine

Isothiazolinone + quat. Amine

Methylene bis-thiocyanate

Dibromonitrilopropionamide

Common Non-Oxidising Biocides for closed cooling circuits:

Isothiazolinone

‘Dichlorophen’

Common Oxidising Biocides for open evaporative cooling circuits:

Slow Cl2-release agent (tricholorotriazinetrione)

Cooling water Br2-release agent (bromochlorodimethylhydantoin)

Peracetic acid

Two pack cooling water liquid bromine oxidant (sodium bromide + sodium
hypochlorite solutions

Potassium iodide + surfactant ozone compatible biocide

Chlorine dioxide generator two precursor Sodium chlorite and Hydrochloric

acid

Stabilised chlorine dioxide solution (stabilised oxychlorine compounds)

Usually used with Activator such as citric acid or sulphamic acid.

Non-oxidising biocides are generally all liquid. They are designed to control
the growth of planktonic micro organisms and prevent the formation of
biofilms on system surfaces, and are used in alternating treatment
programmes. The availability of several chemically-different biocides provides
the flexibility needed to control the growth of the great variety of micro
organisms encountered in cooling systems.

Isothiazolinone is based on the widely used organo-sulphur compound This

compound is non-ionic, and therefore compatible with all other water
treatment chemicals, is active over a wide pH range, and is readily
biodegradable. Isothiazolinones are relatively slow-acting, so contact times
need to be longer than the usual four hours recommended for the other non-
oxidising biocides. Isothiazolinones are irritating to the skin, and can sensitise
certain individuals (i.e. exposure to a small amount causes a strong reaction),
so particular care must be exercised when handling the neat product.
The relatively slow-acting nature of this biocide is not a problem in closed
systems where retention times are measured in weeks, if not months.
Isothiazolinones typically contain a small amount of copper salt, so the biocide
should not be used in systems containing aluminium as the copper could plate
out and cause galvanic corrosion.

Fatty diamine is extracted from animal fat. It is cationic in nature, so is

incompatible with anionic polymeric inhibitors and chlorinated phenolic
thioethers. Because it is amine-based, the biocide can provide a degree of
corrosion protection when dosed into cooling systems by filming out on
metallic surfaces. This also means that a proportion of the product may be
“lost” from the bulk water phase by adsorption. The biocide is effective at a
low concentration and is particularly cost-effective in terms of application cost.
The biocide may foam if overdosed.

Polymeric biguanide is also used in swimming pool treatment and cleaning-

in-place applications in addition to cooling circuits. It therefore has a
particularly good toxicity profile, and the active component has a number of
approvals as a sanitizer. Biguanides are strongly cationic, so the product
should not be used in conjunction with anionic treatment chemicals. It is non-
foaming and active over a wide pH range.

Polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds possess the benefits of

ordinary quaternaries such as speed of kill and low toxicity, yet it is non-
foaming. It also acts as a flocculent, so it can remove suspended solids from
the bulk water phase in cooling systems and make the water look “clean”. The
product is cationic, so should not be dosed in conjunction with anionic
inhibitors.

Combined Biocides containing an isothiazolinone and a quaternary

ammonium compound are particularly effective against fungi, so this product
should be used where fungal rot or mould/yeast contamination is a problem.

Methylene bisthiocyanate (MBT) is not very soluble in water, so it is

dissolved in a glycol in the neat form and is available in only one strength. At
use concentrations, however, MBT is readily soluble. MBT is non-ionic, so
should not present any chemical compatibility problems. It is also non-
foaming. MBT hydrolyses at alkaline pH, so the biocide should not be used in
system with a pH greater than 8.5.

Dibromonitrilopropionamide (DBNPA) has low solubility in water, so it is

dissolved in a glycol in the neat form and is also only available in one
strength, but is sufficiently soluble at use concentrations. DBNPA is non-ionic,
so is compatible with cationic and anionic inhibitors and biocides, and is non-
faming. DBNPA is a fast-acting biocide, and also breaks down readily by
hydrolysis and biodegradation. It is there a particularly environmental friendly
product. DBNPA is registered with the United States EPA for use in once-
through cooling water systems, an application which requires very low
environmental impact biocides. DBNPA hydrolyses at alkaline pH, so the
biocide should only be dosed into cooling waters with a pH of less than 8.5.
DBNPA is damaging to eyes, so protective goggles must be worn when
handling the product.

Low toxicity chlorinated phenolic biocide ‘Dichlorophen’ can be used in

closed systems. It is anionic in nature. Dichlorophen is dark brown and
therefore discolours system water; if leaks are a problem, avoid the use of this
biocide as carpets or items of furniture might be stained.

Tabletted chlorine-release agents are used to provide a background

chlorine residual of 0.5-1.0 mg/l in cooling and other engineered water
systems. The isocyanuric acid released with the chlorine protects the halogen
from ultra-violet photodegradation. A simple on-site test can be used to
monitor free chlorine levels. This product should not be used in water systems
of pH greater than about 8.5.

Tabletted bromine-release agents are used to provide a continuous

background bromine residual of 0.5-1.0 mg/l. it is usually dosed by mean of a
brominator. The main advantage of bromine over chlorine is that bromine
remains biocidal at up to pH 9.5.

Peracetic acid is a powerful liquid oxidising biocide based on, a peroxygen

compound similar to hydrogen peroxide. It can be used as an alternative to
Biodispersants. Peracetic acid has a rapid biocidal action and breaks down
readily to innocuous by-products, so it is environmentally friendly.

Sodium hypochlorite-based products are used as oxidants in liquid

bromine dosing systems because when dosed simultaneously with the
bromine-donors biocidal hypobromous acid is produced.
Product strengths have to be carefully calculated.
The bromine donors used in conjunction contain sodium bromide that oxidises
to bromine which them forms hypobromous acid in water. Typically they also
contain a surfactant that assists hypobromous acid in penetrating and
dispersing biofilms.

Iodide-based products are sometimes used in conjunction with ozone

generators for the treatment of cooling water systems. When dosed into
ozonated water, the iodide is oxidised to iodine that then forms hypoiodous
acid, thus producing a relatively persistent biocide residuum. The product
usually also contains a surfactant which improves the efficacy of ozone and
iodine against biofilms.

Chlorine dioxide is finding ever-wider uses in industrial water treatment,

potable water disinfection and various process-related applications. Chlorine
dioxide offers several advantages over halogens such as chlorine and
bromine, in particular: greater oxidising power, good biocidal efficacy up to pH
10; no formation of non-biodegradable chlorinated by-products; lower
corrosivity; less affected by organic loadings. Unlike chlorine, chlorine dioxide
cannot be supplied as a tablet, a compressed gas or as a liquid containing
free chlorine dioxide. Instead, it must be generated in situ from precursor
chemicals, or supplied in the form of a so-called sterilised solution.

Two precursor chemicals are used in the chlorine dioxide generators, and
usually consist of Sodium Chlorite and an Hydrochloric acid activator,
respectively. When automatically mixed in equal proportions in the
generators, a solution of chlorine dioxide in water is formed which is then
delivered to the cooling system re-circulating flow.
Other methods of generating Chlorine Dioxide are available including a three
precursor approach which uses sodium hypochlorite in addition and a dilute
stabilised solution usually activated by citric or sulphamic acid.
Recently a number of solid chlorine dioxide compounds have been introduced
to the market that are dissolved to give dilute solutions.
Note that the solubility of chlorine dioxide in water is 3g/l, i.e. a solution
strength of 0.3%. and explains why chlorine dioxide is typically generated in-
situ for high volume applications.

Legionella Biocides

All the above biocides are used to control the growth of Legionella bacteria,
including the Legionnaires’ disease organism L.pneumophila, in cooling water
systems. However to ensure effectiveness they are usually dosed at a higher
concentration and increased contact time. Where a biocide is specifically used
to manage Legionella the supplier should be requested to verify the biocide
concentration and contact time for effective control.

Glutaraldehyde + non-ionic surfactant biocide possess powerful biocidal

activity against Legionella (independently verified). It is both a broad spectrum
biocide and a biodispersant, so will also control the growth of planktonic and
biofilm micro-organisms in cooling systems. The produce has been shown to
be laboratory effect against protozoal hosts of Legionella in independent tests.
It is non-ionic and low foaming.

Dibromonitrilopropionamide (DBNPA) used at a higher concentration

provides effective Legionella control. It gives rapid kill and is compatible with
other treatment chemicals (it is non-ionic), and a good environmental profile, it
is effective against protozoal host of Legionella in laboratory tests. The
product is sensitive to alkaline pH, and should not be used in systems of pH
greater than 8.5. Neat DBNPA is damaging to eyes, so protective goggles
must be worn when handling the product.

Miscellaneous Biocides

There are a number of other biocides used in cooling water treatment and
other applications.

Ozone has been used in the treatment of public water supplies for some time,
both as an oxidant and as a disinfectant. It is now coming into favour as a
‘green’ alternative to more traditional oxidising biocides (chlorine, bromine).
Like chlorine dioxide, ozone must be produced in situ using ozone generators.
High production generators work by the corona discharge process, where
dried air or oxygen is passed through a high voltage electric field, resulting in
the conversion of a proportion of the oxygen molecules (O2) to ozone (O3).

Ozone is a fact-acting, broad spectrum, powerful oxidising biocide which

decomposes rapidly to harmless by-products. Because ozone has a half-life in
typical cooling water measured in minutes, it cannot furnish a biocidal
residuum in cooling systems that have particular long cycle times. In these
types of system ozone production output and microbiological monitoring
control application. Ozone is very effective against Legionella.

‘Dichlorophen’ is used in a small tablettised version to treat chiller coil

condensate drip trays and the like, where the tablet slowly dissolves over a
period of weeks or months, furnishing a continual, low concentration of
biocide. Used in this way preventing the growth of troublesome biofouling
microorganism which can cause a considerable problem.

Dry Chlorine Tablets consist of calcium hypochlorite. They are used to

provide a source of chlorine for disinfection of water systems. The tablets can
leave a residue when the chlorine in them is released, and the halogen is not
stabilised against ultra-violet de-activation; the more modern triazinetrione-
based chlorine-release tablets suffer from neither of these drawbacks, and are
therefore the products of choice when a solid chlorine-donor is required.
Compatibility of Biocides

Whilst the great majority of biocides are chemically compatible at in-use

concentration in the bulk water phase, a few have the potential to interact and
their simultaneous dosing should be avoided. Adherence to a few simple and
commonsense compatibility rules will ensure that no biocide is lost simply by
reacting with another biocide.

The table details those biocides that are compatible and those that are not.
For brevity, all the oxidising biocides are categorised as reacting in the same
way.

Precautions should be taken to ensure that incompatible biocides are not

dosed at the same point into a cooling system at the same time. Local biocide
concentrations at dosing points can be significantly higher that those in the
bulk water, so it is at these points that chemical interactions are most likely to
occur.

These biocide incompatibilities that one should be aware of are discussed

briefly below.

Oxidising biocides and non-oxidising biocides

The oxidising biocides (chlorine, bromine, peracetic acid, ozone, chlorine

dioxide and iodine) will potentially react with any organic matter including an
organic non-oxidising biocide. However, this interaction will be minimal at in-
use concentrations in the bulk water. For this reason, the table shows that the
oxidising biocides are compatible with most other non-oxidising biocides.

The greatest potential for an oxidising biocide to react with a non-oxidising

biocide is where an ozone generator or a bromine dosing system (a
brominator or a liquid bromine dosing set) is installed on the re-circulating line
of a cooling system. Whilst these systems are designed to produce an ozone
application of 0.1 mg/l or free bromine residual of about 1mg/l in the cooling
water, a concentration that will not cause significant oxidation of other
treatment products in the water, the ozone concentration in the “strong water “
loop or at the point of application within the cooling circuit will be far higher,
likewise the bromine concentration inside a brominator, or immediately
downstream of a liquid bromine dosing set, is high. Thus any non-oxidising
biocide in the water will be exposed to a level of ozone or bromine that will
result in its oxidation. It is for this reason that careful monitoring of treatment
reserves is required for these systems and if necessary procedures adopted
or treatment reserves increased to accommodate this product breakdown. For
example ozone production can be halted whilst the alternative biocide is
dosed.
Oxidising biocides and glutaraldehyde biocides

Glutaraldehyde is a reducing agent, so it will react more strongly with

oxidising biocides than with non-oxidising biocides. The simultaneous dosing
of the glutaraldehyde-based biocides with any of the oxidising biocides should
therefore be avoided.

Glutaraldehyde biocides and diamine biocides

The fatty diamine active in the biocides typically contained in this compound
consists of one primary and on secondary amine. Glutaraldehyde reacts with
primary amines. The glutaraldehyde-based biocides should not be dosed at
the same time as the diamine-containing biocides. The glutaraldehyde
biocides can be safely dosed with biocides containing quaternary amines.

DBNPA biocides and glutaraldehyde biocides

Dibromonitrilopropionamide (DBNPA) is de-activated and converted into non-

biocidal cyanoacetamide by strong reducing agents such as glutaraldehyde.
Therefore the simultaneous dosing of the DBNPA-based biocides with
glutaraldehyde biocides should be avoided.

Cationic biocides and anionic biocides

The non-oxidising biocide available include products based on cationic,

anionic and non-ionic active compounds. Non-ionic biocides are compatible
with all other types (but notes the exceptions above). Cationic biocides are
incompatible with anionic biocides. There the cationic biocides (Biodispersant
Dialkyl Quaternary Amine, Fatty Diamine, Polymeric Biguanide, Polymeric
Quaternary Ammonium Compound and Isothiazolinones) should not be dosed
at the same time as anionic biocides ( Chlorinated Phenolic Thioethers).

Conclusion

Interactions between incompatible biocides at in-use concentrations in the

bulk water phase process only slowly, and chemical antagonisms between
different compounds are not very significant. Rapid interaction and
neutralisation of biocides in cooling systems is unlikely, so the efficacy of
microbial control programmes should not be compromised. However, the
obvious biocide incompatibilities described above, and summarised in the
table below, can be avoided by suitable amendment to automatic or manual
dosing protocols.
 Compatibilities of Biocides

Methylene
Polymeric Ozone
Fatty Non-Ionic Chlorine Polymeric Bis Dibromonitrilopropionamide
Glutaraldehyde Isothiazolinones quaternary Chlorine
Diamine Surfactant Donors Biguanide thiocyanate (DBNPA)
Amine Bromine
(MBT
Glutaraldehyde - No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No

Fatty Diamine No - Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Non-Ionic Surfactant Yes Yes - Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Chlorine Donors No Yes Yes - Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Isothiazolinones Yes Yes Yes Yes - Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Polymeric Biguanide Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes - Yes Yes Yes Yes
Polymeric quaternary
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes - Yes Yes Yes
Amine
Methylene Bis thiocyanate
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes - Yes Yes
(MBT)
Dibromonitrilopropionamide
No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes - Yes
(DBNPA)
Ozone Chlorine Bromine
No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes -
Anti-Algal Activity of Biocides

The efficacy of biocides against bacteria and fungi in samples of cooling water
send to the laboratory can be readily assessed in biocide sensitivity tests. The
efficacy of biocides against algae cannot be determined easily on a routine
basis, so information on the algicidal effectiveness is required.

Biodispersants based upon Fatty Diamine + Dialkyl quaternary Amine, and

Chlorine donors incorporating non-ionic dispersant, show the greatest anti-
algal activity. Isothiazolinone + Quaternary Amine formulations show
moderate activity. Extrapolating the laboratory results to the in-field situation is
not straightforward, so it is only possible to give a general indication of the
anti-algal efficacy of the biocides. If algicidal action is required from even the
best-performing biocides, product concentrations and contact times
considerably in excess of those needed for bactericidal action must be used:
at least three times the normal dose should be maintained in the cooling
system for a minimum of 12 hours.

For the treatment of algal biofouling in open evaporative cooling water

systems the products which will be most effective are Biodispersants based
upon Chlorine Donors + Non-Ionic Dispersant. However, because extended
contact times are needed for any algicide, the use of these biocides at
recommended does will inevitably exacerbate corrosion. For this reason,
Biodispersant based upon Isothiazolinone + Quaternary Amine could be used,
also at three times normal dose.

Recommendations on the selection of biocides for the control of algae are

detailed on the table below.

Summary of the Effectiveness of IIC Biocides Against Algae as

Determined in the Laboratory

Product series Activity at normal dose Activity at 3 x normal

dose
Glutaraldehyde + Non- None Slight
Ionic Dispersant
Fatty Diamine + Dialkyl Slight Good
Quaternary Amine
Chlorine Donors Moderate Good
Isothiazolinone None None
Polymeric Biguanide None Slight
Polymeric Quaternary None Slight
Amine
Isothiazolinone + Slight Moderate
Quaternary Amine
Methylene Bis None Slight
Thiocyanate
DBNPA None None
Bromine Release None None
Ozone None None
Cooling System Biocide Treatment Requirements

There are four primary objectives of microbial control of open evaporative

cooling water systems:

1. Removal/ inhibition of microbial biofilms

2. Elimination of Legionella bacteria

3. Maintenance of low planktonic bacterial counts (< 104 cfu/ml)

4. Compliance with relevant legislation

To meet these objectives two different types of biocide treatment regime are
typically applied:

• Shot-dosed alternating non-oxidising biocides

o Biodispersants
o General Non-oxidising Biocides

• (Semi) Continuously dosed oxidising biocides

o Ozone
o Bromine
o Chlorine
o Chlorine dioxide

Cooling Water Biocide Selection

The criteria by which cooling water biocides are selected for particular types of
systems are both technical and commercial. Some of the most important of
these are:

Biocide Sensitivity Test: the BST is one of the best ways of selecting
biocides. Collected water samples are sent to the laboratory where accredited
methods are used to determine which Biodispersants and General Biocides
are most effective at killing the microorganism in the sample. The
standardisation of test procedures, and the fact that biofouling organisms from
the actual system in question are used, means that results obtained are both
meaningful and useful.

Planktonic Bacterial Count: the remains one of the most widely used
methods for assessing the effectiveness of biocide programmes and, when
high counts occur, indicates that the treatment programme needs to be
modified. Counts are obtained either on site using dipslides, or in the
laboratory using the dilution plate technique.
Sessile Bacterial Count: if a Biofilm Monitor is installed in a cooling system,
then biofouled studs can be removed and numbers of biofilm bacteria per cm2
determined. High sessile counts indicate biofilm growth in the system and
suggest the need for a biodispersant.

Legionella Tests: the detection of Legionella bacteria in a cooling system

treated with a legionellae-effective biocide must indicate the need to change
the biocide because of possible resistance, it should always be possible to
control the growth of the organism.

Monitoring Plant Performance: useful information can be obtained from

scrutinising plant performance records, such as condenser vacuums, pumping
pressures, heat-exchanger temperature differentials, flow rates. For example,
if the temperature across a heat-exchanger rises, this may indicate biofilm
formation; a biodispersant would then be needed.

Visual Inspection: visual examination of a cooling system can reveal useful

information that will influence the choice of biocides. Thus the observation of
slime layers, algal growths, fungal rots, black smelly deposits (SRB’s) or
green turbid water will assist the correct choice of biocide programme.

System Water Constraints: a knowledge of the chemistries of the various

biocides is useful in determining when particular products are unsuitable for
use in certain systems. For example, the alkaline pH-sensitive biocides should
not be used in systems with a pH > 8.5. Again, the glutaraldehyde-containing
biocide Biodispersant into waters containing ammonia.

Biocide Compatibilities: a wide variety of biocide actives are used in water

treatment an it is unrealistic to expect all of them to be compatible with each
other. For example, there is an obvious incompatibility between
glutaraldehyde (a reducing agent) and bromine (an oxidising agent).

Discharge Constraints: some locations may be particularly sensitive about

the discharge or certain products from their site, either as a result of a
company policy to adopt an environmentally-responsible attitude or because
of pressure from the local Authorities. Whilst each case must be judged by its
merits, an awareness of the probable environmental impact of discharge of a
biocide from the site will be useful in developing a biocide treatment
programme for that site.

Commercial Factors: the responsibility to sell cost-effective and profitable

biocide treatment programmes lie very much with water treatment suppliers.
The cost of a biocide programme is one of the most important selection
criteria; competition in the market makes this inevitable.

The primary consideration, however, should be to apply the technically best

programme that will most effectively allow the site to run their cooling system
free of microbiological problems that may have a serious detrimental impact
on operational efficacies and/or reliability.
 Biodispersant Selection Chart

The chart indicates the efficacy of the different Biodispersants at their recommended use concentrations against the major groups
of cooling water microorganisms and against established or developing biofilms.
In the case of Direct Contact After Coolers (Air Wash Tower and Nitrogen Chill Tower) foaming can lead to contamination of the
molecular sieve and the use of any products that generate foam should be avoided.

Biodispersants

Biodispersant Bacteria Algae Fungi S.R.B. Biofilm Elimination Biofilm Growth Constraints on Use
Inhibiton
2 1 1 1 3 2 Do not use in water containing
Glutaraldehyde + ammonia, or in conjunction with
Non-Ionic oxidising biocides and diamine or
Dispersant DBNPA based products.

2 2 2 2 3 2 Do not use in conjunction with

Fatty Diamine + glutaraldehyde biocides. Avoid
Dialkyl using with anionic products.
Quaternary Absorbed by surfaces/organics.
Amine

Non-Ionic - - - - 2 - Use in conjunction with biocidal

Surfactant* Biodispersant or General Biocide

3 1 2 1 1 2 DO not use In water of pH > 8.5.

Chlorine Donors Do not use in conjunction with
+ Surfactant glutaraldehyde biocides.

3 = excellent efficacy 2= good efficacy 1 = average efficacy

• Non-biocidal dispersing only product

 General Biocide Selection Chart

This chart indicates the efficacy of the different Biocides at their recommended use concentrations against the major groups of
cooling water system microorganisms and against established or developing biofilms.

General Biocides
Biocides Bacteria Algae Fungi S.R.B. Biofilm Elimination Biofilm Growth Constraints on Use
Inhibition
2 1 1 1 2 3 Relatively slow-acting, beware short
Isothiazolinones retention system. Potential skin
sensitiser in neat form.
Fatty Diamine + 3 1 2 3 2 3 Do use in conjunction with
Dialkyl Quaternary glutaraldehyde biocides. Cationic –
Amine avoid using with anionic products.
Adsorbed by surfaces/organics. May
foam if overdosed.
Polymeric 3 1 2 2 1 3 Strongly cationic – avoid using with
Biguanide anionic products
Polymeric 2 1 1 1 1 2 Cationic – avoid using with anionic
Quaternary Amine products

Isothiazolinone + 2 2 3 1 1 2 Cationic – avoid using with anionic

Quaternary Amine products
Methylene Bis 2 1 3 1 1 2 pH sensitive – do not use in systems
Thiocyanate ( >pH 8.5.
MBT)
DBNPA 3 1 2 2 2 3 Do not use in conjunction with
glutaraldehyde biocides. pH sensitive
– do not use in systems > pH 8.5.
3 1 2 1 1 2 DO not use in water of pH > 8.5. Do
Chlorine Donors not use in conjunction with
glutaraldehyde biocides.
Ozone 3 1 1 1 2 3 Do not use in conjunction with
glutaraldehyde biocides.
Bromine Donors 3 1 2 1 2 3 Do not use in conjunction with
glutaraldehyde biocides.
Chlorine dioxide 3 1 2 1 2 3 Do not use in conjunction with
glutaraldehyde biocides.