When some of the bacteria free in the water settle on surfaces in contact with the, liquid, they start to duplicate, forming a layer usually known as biofilm. Free-floating bacteria represent just 10% of the total number of bacteria in a piping system. Indeed, 90% of microorganisms live in biofilm, not free in the liquid. When biofilm is mature parts of it can detach, cross-contaminating other points of the piping system. Biofilm causes many different issues:
A 20-micron thick biofilm reduces thermal efficiency by 30% and more.
Biofilm causes MIC (Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion).
Biofilm is the ideal environment for the survival and proliferation of pathogens.
