Tel: +86 13962653966 | Email： sales@szeasychem.com
Tel: +86 13962653966 | Email： sales@szeasychem.com
Bronopol in industrial water treatment has become an important solution for controlling microbiological growth in challenging environments. Bronopol (2-Bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol) is a highly effective industrial biocide with strong activity against bacteria, fungi, and especially sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Despite the higher cost compared with traditional water treatment biocides, Bronopol applications in water treatment systems remain valuable where other products fail.
In industrial water treatment systems such as cooling towers, paper mills, and oilfield injection water, microbial contamination leads to biofouling, reduced efficiency, and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). Among these, SRB contamination in water treatment is one of the most difficult challenges.
Bronopol demonstrates fast-acting biocidal performance and provides superior control of SRB compared with many mainstream options. This makes Bronopol biocide for SRB control in oilfield injection water a well-recognized specialty treatment despite its higher cost.
Yes, Bronopol in water treatment is often considered too expensive for continuous dosing. However, high cost Bronopol applications in paper mills, cooling towers, and oilfields prove its value when routine programs fail.
Bronopol is most effective when used as:
A shock biocide for SRB outbreaks.
A synergistic additive blended with glutaraldehyde, THPS, or isothiazolinones.
A problem-solving agent when microbial resistance is observed.
Thus, Bronopol in industrial cooling water and paper mill systems can help reduce long-term costs by preventing corrosion, downtime, and product quality losses.
Challenge: High SRB counts causing corrosion and souring.
Solution: Bronopol biocide applied as a shock dose (100–200 ppm), often in combination with glutaraldehyde.
Result: SRB reduced >90% within 48 hours, improved pipeline integrity.
Challenge: Resistant slime-forming bacteria causing odor and product defects.
Solution: Bronopol plus isothiazolinone provided rapid microbial kill.
Result: Improved sheet quality, fewer production interruptions, reduced slime control costs.
Challenge: Biofilm and SRB growth reducing heat transfer efficiency.
Solution: Bronopol vs glutaraldehyde in cooling towers—Bronopol shock dose restored system balance when glutaraldehyde failed.
Result: Clean surfaces, lower corrosion rates, stable operations.
| Biocide | Typical Dosage (ppm) | Relative Cost | Spectrum | SRB Control | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronopol | 30–200 (shock) | ★★★★ (High) | Broad | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | Fast-acting, best for SRB outbreaks, corrective or blended use |
| Glutaraldehyde | 100–500 | ★★ (Medium) | Broad | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good | Widely used, but resistance issues in oilfields |
| THPS | 200–500 | ★★ (Medium) | Broad | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good | Environmentally friendly, degradable, oilfield standard |
| Isothiazolinones | 20–100 | ★ (Low) | Broad | ⭐⭐ Limited | Cheap, routine maintenance, weak against SRB |
| DBNPA | 20–100 | ★★ (Medium) | Broad | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate | Fast kill, short-term action, unstable in alkaline water |
| BKC, DDAC | 10–50 | ★ (Low) | Bacteria & algae | ⭐ Low | Low cost, mainly for algae, resistance common |
Bronopol has higher cost but superior SRB control, making it the specialized biocide for problem-solving in industrial water treatment systems.
Bronopol in oilfield injection water: Repeated SRB corrosion persisted despite glutaraldehyde. A Bronopol shock treatment (150 ppm) reduced SRB by 90% and stabilized the system.
Bronopol in paper mills: Resistant bacteria caused slime issues. Bronopol plus isothiazolinones eliminated the contamination, improving production quality.
Bronopol in cooling water systems: Biofilm reduced tower efficiency. Bronopol outperformed DBNPA and restored clean operations.
Exceptional SRB control – better than glutaraldehyde and THPS.
Rapid action – ideal for shock dosing and emergency treatment.
Synergy – enhances performance in blends, extending program efficiency.
Low foaming, high solubility – suitable for paper mill white water.
High cost of Bronopol makes continuous dosing impractical.
Regulatory restrictions exist due to formaldehyde/nitrosamine concerns.
Best practice: Use Bronopol for shock treatment or as a synergistic additive.
Bronopol in industrial water treatment should be seen as a specialty biocide:
For routine maintenance, lower-cost agents (glutaraldehyde, THPS, isothiazolinones) are standard.
For resistant SRB outbreaks and critical problem-solving, Bronopol applications in oilfields, paper mills, and cooling water systems are unmatched.
Although Bronopol has a higher cost compared with conventional biocides, its unique effectiveness against SRB and resistant microorganisms ensures it remains an indispensable tool in industrial water treatment programs. Strategic use of Bronopol in cooling towers, oilfield injection water, and paper mills can save long-term costs by reducing corrosion, downtime, and microbial failures.
In summary: Bronopol in industrial water treatment is not about low price—it is about high performance and problem-solving value.
Are you looking for Bronopol?
Suzhou easy chemical co. ltd
388, Dengyun Road,Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
Email: sales@szeasychem.com
Contact： Joyce Yu
MB: +86 13962653966
Tel: 0512- 57554186
Whatsapp&Wechat: +86 13962653966
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