Water technology and treatment

Treatment programs as the key to water treatment

An important component of an optimized concept for the use of process water chemicals is the individual treatment program. Ochsmann Chemie has been developing treatment programs for its customers for many years. For this purpose, technical data is exchanged with the customer and the basic concept is optimized during an on-site visit. The end result is the treatment program, which contains nothing less than our decades of experience. We also accompany the use of chemicals for most customers with regular sampling and thus help to optimize the use of chemicals. Our customized treatment programs save money and protect the environment. Confidentiality, reliability and expertise are our top priorities. Test us. Our offers are non-binding and you can personally convince yourself of our performance and the added value we can bring you.

Quality and customer service

Since its foundation in 1993, Ochsmann Chemie has consistently focused on quality and analytical support for customers. This additional service together with many years of experience distinguishes Ochsmann Chemie. Following the takeover by the REMONDIS Group, Ochsmann Chemie can offer a significantly expanded service. In combination with the AQS analytical laboratory, Ochsmann Chemie offers its customers an all-round package for consulting, analytical support and tailor-made process water treatment for all types of cooling water and drinking water applications. If the plant operation of industrial wastewater treatments is also desired, our colleagues at REMONDIS Aqua Industrie Service GmbH& Co. KG  will be happy to do so.

Biocides and water disinfection

Biocides are often used to combat microbiological pollution. In water engineering processes, the following types of biology usually appear

  • Bacteria (e. g. Legionella)
  • Fungi
  • Algae
  • Yeasts

In addition to potentially harmful effects, biological populations are responsible for a variety of damages in a farm process:

  • Formation of insulating coatings
  • Promotion of deposition processes
  • Acceleration of corrosion formation
  • Clogging of plant components

As a result of biological contamination, the efficiencies of cooling processes (e.g. trickling in the cooling tower) can be reduced. Often, biological contamination of process water increases energy costs and additional expenses for cleaning the system are unavoidable. The profitability of these plants is thus negatively affected.

Suitable products can be found here.

Water disinfection by oxidation effect on fresh water

Water disinfection tablets are used to disinfect contaminated drinking water, e.g. in the event of a risk of epidemics after environmental disasters or in areas where hygienically safe drinking water is not available. When the tablets are dissolved in water, active chlorine is released, which kills the germs contained in the water through its oxidation effect. We offer tablets for disinfection from 0.5 to 100 liters of water.

Excursus: 42nd BImschV and the consequences thereof

The handling of the 42. BImSchV  currently occupies many operators of evaporation and recooling systems, wet scrubbers and cooling towers. Based on our many years of experience in cooling water treatment, we advise and support you competently so that you can operate your systems in compliance with the law with the lowest possible hygienic risk and focus on your core business without worry. Here we give you a brief overview of the most important contents of the regulation as well as our services.

The 42nd BImSchV is based on the VDI guideline 2047 sheet 2 and since 19 August 2017 regulates the establishment, quality and operation of

  • Evaporative cooling systems
  • Cooling towers
  • Wet separators / Scrubber systems

whose water can come into contact with the atmosphere, e.g. by spraying/trickling. Not affected are cooling circuits which, among other things, are not affected.

  • Have a cooling water temperature of permanently > 60 °C
  • Have a pH of the cooling water of < 4 or > 10
  • Closed cooling circuits are
  • Have a salt concentration of > 100 g halides/l
  • Working exclusively with fresh water in continuous operation

The operators of such plants must ensure that contamination of the process water by microorganisms, in particular legionella and pseudomonads, is avoided.  The following are required by law:

  • Preparation of a risk assessment by a “hygienically competent person” during commissioning and recommissioning of the plant
  • Establishment of a reference value for the general colony number (CFU)
  • Bi-weekly in-house review of chemical, physical or microbiological indicators
  • Three-monthly inspection of the process water for exceeding the reference value and the parameter Legionella by an accredited laboratory
  • Documentation obligation by keeping an operating log
  • Display of the system in the cadastre for the recording of evaporative cooling systems 42nd BImSchV under (Link: https://kavka.bund.de/)
  • Inspection of proper plant operation by a sworn expert or an accredited inspection body every 5 years

Requirements when laboratory measurements are exceeded

Should the above-mentioned laboratory tests lead to exceedances of control values, further measures to be carried out are prescribed by law:

General colony number
Type of installationExcess over reference valueMeasures to be implemented
Evaporative cooling systems, Wet separators, Scrubber systemsFactor 100
  • Root cause identification
  • Immediate measure to reduce CFU (impact dosage biocide, increase desalination) and remeasurement
  • Documentation operating log
Legionellenuntersuchung
Type of installationcontrol valueConc. Legionella [CFU/100ml]Measures to be implemented
Evaporative cooling systems, Wet separators / Scrubber systems resp. Towerstest value 1100 resp. 500
  • Clarification of the cause
  • In-house inspection weekly
  • General CFU + Legionella examination monthly
test value 21,000 resp. 5.,000
  • Clarification of the cause
  • In-house inspection weekly
  • General CFU + Legionella examination monthly
  • Immediate measure to reduce CFU (shock dosage biocide, increase desalination)
  • Documentation in operating log
action value10,000 resp. 50.,000– Differentiation of Legionella by serogroup

  • In-house inspection weekly
  • CFU + Legionella examination monthly
  • Immediate measure to reduce CFU (shock dosage biocide, increase desalination)
  • Documentation in operating log
  • Hazard prevention by cleaning/disinfection, avoidance of aerosol release
  • Duty to inform authorities

Our support:

Due to our many years of experience in cooling water treatment, we are happy to help you so that you can run your cooling circuits permanently in hygienically perfect operation.

Our extensive product range includes both oxidizing and non-oxidizing biocides, so that we can offer you a treatment tailored to your systems with regard to the materials used and material compatibility. Our biocides are

  • tested for their effectiveness against Legionella and can be used according to VDI 2047 for Legionella control
  • registered in accordance with the Biocidal Products Regulation
  • can also be used in cooling circuits of direct dischargers due to the rapid degradability and short half-life

Even with an existing Legionella finding, we have developed programs for hazard prevention and cleaning or disinfection of cooling circuits, which you can use quickly without interrupting operation.

  • For the in-house biological tests, we offer you analysis kits as well as instruction in their handling, so that you can carry out the tests yourself cost-effectively.
  • We cooperate with independent accredited laboratories, which can carry out the prescribed tests for Legionella, so that you get everything about the requirements for water analyses regarding the 42nd BImSchV from a single source.

Professional Process Support

Our customers also appreciate Ochsmann Chemie’s in-process services. The success of a water treatment is determined by the quality of the service. Our services are provided by senior chemical engineers and chemists:

  • Development of individual treatment programs
  • Water analysis service
  • Corrosion and deposit measurements
  • Microbiological analyses
  • Process control and documentation
  • Cost-benefit analyses

Our employees check and assess the systems on site. They then develop adequate water treatment programs. Water analyses, corrosion and deposit measurements, as well as microbiological analyses (including legionella and pseudomonas in accordance with 42nd BImSchV/VDI 2047 and the recommendations of the Federal Environment Agency) are part of the service package and are carried out directly on site or in our laboratories (REMONDIS Group). The treatment or chemical dosage is thus constantly monitored and the results continuously documented. An important part of the documentation are our recommendations for action based on the analysis findings.

In order to be able to assess process water systems and their treatment from their economic side, we prepare cost-benefit analyses. Our chemical products are designed according to the latest findings and the requirements of contemporary environmental protection. By combining synergistic components, chemical consumption is minimized. We are happy to advise you on all topics related to the extraction, use and disposal of your process water.

Our services can be found here.

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