The Control of Iron Bacterial Plugging of a Well by Tyndallization Using Hot Water Recycling

Abstract

Abstract A small diameter water well drilled in 1977 in the Town of Bulyea, Saskatchewan generated such a rapid plugging (biofouling) that by 1979 the flow rate was reduced by 59%. Heavy growths of non-specific iron bacteria were found in the water and biofouling projected to be the principal cause of the flow loss. Tyndallization (repeated pasteurizations) treatment was applied using a hot water recycling system installed above the well head. Using a displacement passive gravity direct injection of hot water at 82°C from a water heater into the well, a sequential elevation of water column temperatures occurred until bio-film dispersion occurred (pasteurization) at 45°C+. A recovery to original flow specifications was repeatedly obtained at time intervals ranging from 6 to 403 days. Between treatments, a recurrence of biofouling was noted with flow reductions of 0.06 – 0.07 1/min/day frequently being noted. The rate of plugging appeared to be affected by the previous sequence of pasteurization treatments. Tyndallization was found to satisfactorily control iron bacterial biofouling and maintain flow rates.