Successful Use of BCP™ 1015 with Glutaraldehyde Questions & Answers
1. Can BCP™ 1015 be used with glutaraldehyde (glut) at low concentrations by feeding them separately into a cooling tower system?
Yes, but with the requirement that they are contacted only under dilute conditions. At the dilute usage concentrations (less than 100 ppm active ingredient) and short residence times typical of cooling towers, BCP™ 1015 and glutaraldehyde can be used successfully together. By operating under these conditions, chemical reaction between glutaraldehyde and BCP™ 1015 can be avoided.
2. Can BCP™ 1015 be used with glutaraldehyde at high concentrations such as by mixing prior to use?
No. We do not recommend using BCP™ 1015 and glutaraldehyde at high concentrations. By “high” concentration, we mean concentrations above typical end-use concentrations common in our industry, generally above about 100 ppm active ingredient of either glutaraldehyde or BCP™ 1015.
3. Are there any special benefits of using BCP™ 1015 with glutaraldehyde?
Yes. First, BCP™ 1015 works together with biocides, in general, to provide an effective biofilm control program. By breaking up deposits, BCP™ 1015 helps biocides reach microorganisms buried in the biofilm and kill more effectively.
Second, BCP™ 1015 has been found to accelerate the killing action of glutaraldehyde in our preliminary lab studies and customers may be interested in exploiting this finding. However, the treatment must still must be performed under dilute conditions, as described in Answer 7 below.
4. Can I formulate BCP™ 1015 with glutaraldehyde?
Using BCP™ 1015 in glutaraldehyde formulations at high concentrations and for extended storage times is not feasible due to chemical reaction. It is also not legal in the US due to regulations restricting non-approved formulation of a biocide.
5. Are there any side effects of using BCP™ 1015 with glutaraldehyde, e.g., color or precipitate formation?
A pink color may be observed even at dilute usage concentrations. In our studies, we have not observed any precipitate formation. A true solution results.
6. Can I test to ensure that I don’t get any color formation?
Test by adding BCP™ 1015 at the desired dose (usually 100 ppm product or 15 ppm active) to a sample of the glutaraldehyde-treated system water. If a pink color does form in the test mix, then the glutaraldehyde levels are high enough to result in a pink color formation in the actual end-use water.
7. What procedure should I use to treat a system with BCP™ 1015 and glutaraldehyde?
Dose BCP™ 1015 into the cooling system, allow it to thoroughly circulate and dilute itself, and then dose glutaraldehyde. Alternatively, the two chemicals may also be introduced via separate pumps at the same time into the system’s basin where they will be rapidly diluted. It is NOT recommended to pre-mix the concentrated chemicals.
Please contact us for further guidance to effectively use BCP™ 1015 and glutaraldehyde co-treatments
