ODYSSEE’s Water News: Biological and Corrosion Control in Cooling Systems

Published on

04 August 2026

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Introduction

The zebra mussel is one of the most economically damaging aquatic invasive species in the United States and poses a frequent threat to once-through cooling systems.
Larvae are introduced through water intake and quickly attach to internal surfaces of the system.

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f780c1af 3163 b871 e09f 88acd7ae1f49 ODYSSEE Environnement

Due to their size—smaller than 0.04 inches—zebra mussels cannot be effectively controlled by simple filtration alone.
A combined chemical treatment is essential. Once attached, they proliferate rapidly, obstructing water flow within 6 to 7 hours, which corresponds to their typical growth cycle.

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71ee0480 dff7 8f34 b350 bd83b6e55974 ODYSSEE Environnement

Customer’s Challenge

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c3f44703 6f0c 9329 b29a 2b6709a7b2c8 ODYSSEE Environnement

This cement plant operates a system with a flow rate of 147,936 gallons per hour, which is severely impacted by zebra mussel infestation. Corrective maintenance is required every 2 to 3 days to maintain operational continuity.

To mitigate production downtime, a buffer tank of makeup water is used. However, stagnant water in this tank degrades production quality and demands frequent maintenance.

Together, these issues result in significant productivity losses, estimated at over $100,000 per year.

Odyssee’s Solution

Treatment Protocol:

ODYSSEE Environnement’s ODYZYME CBR (a blend of FFAs and cleaners) is injected upstream at a concentration of 5–6 ppm, for 1 hour every 8 hours. The treatment is monitored in real time at the most distant point from the injection site (approx. 1 mile), ensuring system-wide coverage. A residual amine concentration of 0.1–0.2 ppm confirms the effectiveness and stability of the treatment.

Outcomes:

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