98-09: A Comparison of Bromine-Based Biocides in a Medium-Size Cooling Tower

The process loop cooling tower at the Albemarle Process Development Center in Baton Rouge, LA has historically used chlorine as the biocide together with industry accepted phosphorus-based corrosion/scale inhibitors. Although this treatment program provided acceptable biocontrol, corrosion rates were higher than desired. Over the past several years, we have studied the performance of bromine-based biocides in this cooling tower. This paper will compare the performance of these oxidizing biocides in terms of the effects on water chemistry, corrosion rate, microbiological control, and overall tower appearance. In general, these biocides provided an overall decrease in corrosion rates while maintaining good biocontrol.