Technology
Biological dominance through nutrient competition.
A targeted high initial dose creates a probiotic majority. In the shared living space they live alongside undesirable bacteria in the water system. That dominance limits further reproduction of the undesirable bacteria, while the selected strains metabolise existing EPS deposits as organic food.
Shared living space. Limited food.
Probiotic bacteria and bacteria already present share living space and nutrient sources. The high initial dose shifts the balance of numbers in favour of the probiotics. Total nutrient consumption and competition for space limit the conditions for any further reproduction of all bacteria. The natural life cycle of bacteria, about three to four days, then brings the probiotics into dominance over undesirable, pathogenic, biofilm-forming and allergy-triggering organisms.
The probiotic bacteria do not kill other bacteria. The strains selected for the process are not biofilm formers, and they metabolise the existing sticky EPS matrix (extracellular polymeric saccharides) as an organic nutrient source. The aim is to reduce existing deposits step by step and to stop new biofilm from forming. Over the course of treatment, this produces biologically clean water circuits in the installation.
- Probiotic bacteria
- Shared organic nutrients
- Undesirable bacteria
The mode of action in detail.
Probiotic majority
The dosing plan starts with a high initial quantity to establish a numerical probiotic majority. These bacteria share their living space and food sources with bacteria already present.
Shared life & regulation
Too little food and space per bacterium makes reproduction harder. Bacteria communicate with one another through quorum sensing. How this changes their activity depends on the strain and the surrounding conditions.
Quorum sensing
Crowding is communicated among the bacteria as information. This leads undesirable bacteria that are in the minority to stop their activity voluntarily, including cell division, reproduction and the formation of resistance. No bacteria are killed.
EPS breakdown & system care
The probiotic organisms that are then dominant are not biofilm formers themselves. Existing EPS biofilm is metabolised as a natural food source until the surfaces of the water circuits are clear and biologically clean.
Phase 01Probiotic majorityA targeted high dose establishes a probiotic majority.
- Phase 02Shared life & regulation
Too little food and space per bacterium makes reproduction harder. Both groups share the same habitat.
- Phase 03Quorum sensing
Crowding is communicated among the bacteria. Undesirable bacteria in the minority voluntarily stop reproduction and resistance formation. No bacteria are killed.
- Phase 04EPS breakdown & system care
The probiotic strains are not biofilm formers. The existing EPS matrix is used as food until the surfaces are clear.
- Probiotic bacteria
- Shared organic nutrients
- Undesirable bacteria
- Existing EPS matrix
Technical points to assess.
Material compatibility
The probiotics do not attack materials, seals or coatings.
Dosing equipment
The dosing station and inoculation point are clarified during the survey.
Microbiological development
We use samples to see how the bacteria develop in the system. Whether they are unaffected by water additives can be determined from samples.
Water additives
Probiotics are generally compatible with water additives such as hardness stabilisers, corrosion inhibitors and pH control, and do not affect their performance, as long as those additives are not biocidal.
Occupational safety
The probiotic bacteria used are biosafety level 1, have been assessed against the known hazards and are harmless to people and animals. They are used in clinics as well.
Wastewater
Water inoculated with probiotics can be discharged into the municipal sewer at any time.