Presence of biofilm and biocorrosion has been observed in Danish district heating (DH) systems despite very good water quality that was expected to prevent significant microbial growth. The microbiological water quality was investigated in order to identify the dominating bacterial groups on surfaces with corrosion problems. Water samples from 29 DH systems were investigated for the total number of bacteria and presence of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRBs). SRBs were found to be present in more than 80% of the DH systems. The microbial population in samples from 2 DH systems (biofilm from a test coupon and an in situ sample from a heat exchanger) was investigated with fluorescence in situ hybridisation, and the results showed significant differences in population composition. Betaproteobacteria was the dominant population in both samples. SRBs were present in both samples but were most numerous in the biofilm from the test coupon. Examination of functional groups based on uptake of radiolabelled acetate (microautoradiography) showed presence of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria despite the fact that oxygen is not anticipated in DH systems.
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Research Article|
March 01 2003
Monitoring and characterisation of bacteria in corroding district heating systems using fluorescence in situ hybridisation and microautoradiography
B.V. Kjellerup;
B.V. Kjellerup
*Department of Environment, Danish Technological Institute, Teknologiparken, DK-8000 århus C, Denmark. Department of Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Sohngaardsholmsvej 57, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
***Department of Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Sohngaardsholmsvej 57, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
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B.H. Olesen;
B.H. Olesen
*Department of Environment, Danish Technological Institute, Teknologiparken, DK-8000 århus C, Denmark. Department of Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Sohngaardsholmsvej 57, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
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J.L. Nielsen;
J.L. Nielsen
***Department of Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Sohngaardsholmsvej 57, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
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B. Frølund;
B. Frølund
*Department of Environment, Danish Technological Institute, Teknologiparken, DK-8000 århus C, Denmark. Department of Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Sohngaardsholmsvej 57, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
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S. Ødum;
S. Ødum
**CTR I/S, St¾hr Johansensvej 38, DK-2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
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P.H. Nielsen
P.H. Nielsen
***Department of Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Sohngaardsholmsvej 57, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
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Water Sci Technol (2003) 47 (5): 117–122.
Citation
B.V. Kjellerup, B.H. Olesen, J.L. Nielsen, B. Frølund, S. Ødum, P.H. Nielsen; Monitoring and characterisation of bacteria in corroding district heating systems using fluorescence in situ hybridisation and microautoradiography. Water Sci Technol 1 March 2003; 47 (5): 117–122. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2003.0295
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