Tech Manual Excerpt
Water Chemistry and Pretreatment
Biological Fouling Prevention
DBNPA DBNPA (2,2, dibromo-3-nitrilo-proprionamide) has the following characteristics:
l Compatible with the membrane
l Fast acting
l Cost effective
l Acceptable transportation, storage, stability and handling characteristics
l Broad spectrum control (e.g., planktonic and sessile organisms); algae control
is seasonal and situational
l Biodegradable
In RO systems operating with biologically active feedwater, a biofilm can appear
within 3 – 5 days after inoculation with viable organisms. Consequently, the most
common frequency of sanitization is every 3 – 5 days during peak biological activity
(summer) and about every 7 days during low biological activity (winter). The optimal
frequency for sanitization will be site-specific and must be determined by the
operating characteristics of the RO system.
The standard method to apply DBNPA is slug (intermittent) dosing. The amount of
DBNPA used depends on the severity of the biological fouling. With a water less
prone to biological fouling, using 10 – 30 mg/L of the active ingredient for 30
minutes to 3 hours every 5 days can be effective. Because DBNPA is deactivated by
reducing agents (such as sodium bisulfite used for chlorine removal), a higher
concentration of DBNPA will be required if there is residual reducing agent in the
feedwater. The concentration of DBNPA should be increased by 1 ppm of active
ingredient for every ppm of residual reducing agent in the RO feedwater. To
remove the dead biofilm, an alkaline cleaning is also recommended (see Biofouling
(Form No. 45-D01627-en) ). Biocides, their degradation products, and other
ingredients in their formulations are not always completely rejected by RO
membranes. For this reason, during slug dosing, it may be necessary to discharge
the permeate during biocide injection because the permeate may contain slightly
elevated levels of organics.
Note that although DBNPA is nonoxidizing, it does give an ORP response in
approximately the 400 mV range at concentrations between 0.5 and 3 mg/L. For
comparison, chlorine and bromine give a response in the 700 mV range at 1 mg/L,
which increases with increasing concentration. This increase in ORP is normal when
adding DBNPA and it is recommended the ORP set-point is by-passed during DBNPA
addition.
Page 1 of 2 Form No. 45-D01571-en, Rev. 11
July 2022
Excerpt from FilmTec™ Reverse Osmosis Membranes Technical Manual (Form No. 45-D01504-en), Chapter 2, "Water Chemistry and Pretreatment."
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Please note that physical properties may vary depending on certain conditions and while operating conditions stated in this
document are intended to lengthen product lifespan and/or improve product performance, it will ultimately depend on actual
circumstances and is in no event a guarantee of achieving any specific results. DuPont assumes no obligation or liability for the
information in this document. References to “DuPont” or the “Company” mean the DuPont legal entity selling the products to
Customer unless otherwise expressly noted. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
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Page 2 of 2 Form No. 45-D01571-en, Rev. 11
July 2022
