title: Biofouling on polymeric heat exchanger surfaces with E. coli and native biofilms.
abstract: The biofouling affinity of different polymeric surfaces (polypropylene, polysulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyether ether ketone) in comparison to stainless steel (SS) was studied for the model bacterium Escherichia coli K12 DSM 498 and native biofilms originating from Rhine water. The biofilm mass deposited on the polymer surfaces was minimized by several magnitudes compared to SS. The cell count and the accumulated biomass of E. coli on the polymer surfaces showed an opposing linear trend. The promising low biofilm formation on the polymers is attributed to the combination of inherent surface properties (roughness, surface energy and hydrophobicity) when compared to SS. The fouling characteristics of E. coli biofilms show good conformity with the more complex native biofilms investigated. The results can be utilized for the development of new polymer heat exchangers when using untreated river water as coolant or for other processes needing antifouling materials.
authors.affiliation: a University of Kaiserslautern , Chair of Separation Science and Technology , Kaiserslautern , Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pohl
authors.affiliation: b University Koblenz-Landau , Institute for Integrated Natural Sciences , Koblenz , Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Madzgalla
authors.affiliation: b University Koblenz-Landau , Institute for Integrated Natural Sciences , Koblenz , Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Manz
authors.affiliation: a University of Kaiserslautern , Chair of Separation Science and Technology , Kaiserslautern , Germany.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Bart
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D057219:Biofouling; D004867:Equipment Design; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D045483:Rivers / Q000382:microbiology; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry*; D013450:Sulfones / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D013450:Sulfones; D013193:Stainless Steel; C017662:polysulfone P 1700; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
keywords: biofouling; heat exchanger; materials selection; multispecies biofilm; polymers; surface properties