METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING MICROBIOLOGICAL FOULING IN AQUEOUS SYSTEMS

摘要

A method of detecting microbiological fouling in an aqueous system. The method includes determining a baseline corrosion rate. A corrosion rate is continuously monitored. A change in the corrosion rate in measured. A maximum corrosion rate is measured. A baseline fouling factor is determined by measuring and monitoring parameters of a fluid in the aqueous system. An increase in fouling factor over the baseline is determined. A change in the corrosion rate is integrated with respect to time over an interval of from a time of the determination of the baseline corrosion rate to a time that the maximum corrosion rate occurs. A change in the fouling factor is integrated with respect to time over an interval from a time of the determination of the baseline fouling factor to a time of the determination of the increase in fouling factor. The fouling factor and the corrosion rate are compared to determine if the fouling is microbiological.