Performance Advantages of Glutaraldehyde in Oilfield Water

and Fluid Applications

Protecting produced waters and drilling fluids from microbial contamination is vital for the efficiency
and success of any drilling operation. Here a biocide must deliver a variety of performance properties
including efficacy against bacteria and biofilm, quick performance and a favorable environmental
profile. Both UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products and THPS (tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphonium
sulfate) are widely specified for these applications due to their broad-spectrum performance and
efficacy at higher pH levels. However, determining which biocide is best suited for the job is contingent
upon the specific performance demands of the application. Several studies were conducted to compare
the performance of UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products and THPS against seawater sulfate-reducing
bacteria (SRB) and biofilm, including efficacy and speed of kill. The combined use of the biocides to
control unique biofouling challenges, and their environmental profiles was also examined.

UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products and THPS possess similar modes of action, achieving microbial
control by disabling cell wall amino acids. However, THPS requires an activation step to release
formaldehyde, which then generates the active species. A study was conducted to compare the
performance of the biocides against seawater SRBs. Field isolates of seawater were grown to high
levels and bacterial metabolites such as sulfides were allowed to accumulate. As Table 1 shows,
UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products and THPS demonstrated comparable performance at similar use
levels, with UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products achieving slightly greater reductions than THPS at 25,
50 and 100 ppm.

Table 1
UCARCIDE Glutaraldehyde Products vs. THPS efficacy for Seawater SRBs
Log Reduction
Biocide (ppm active) 1 hour 2 hours 4 hours
GA, 25 4 4 7
GA, 50 6 7 8
GA, 100 8 8 8
THPS, 25 3 3 3
THPS, 50 3 5 7
THPS, 100 7 8 8
Control (cells/mL) 108 108 108
GA = UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products

To determine speed of kill, the demands of a typical pigging operation were duplicated, allowing the
biocides only brief contact with the microbial challenge. Here, field isolates of planktonic SRBs were
cultured to very high concentrations and treated for one and two minutes.

Page 1 of 3 Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) or an affiliated company of Dow Form No. 253-01637-03/25/07 PS
 As Table 2 demonstrates, UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products performed much more rapidly than
THPS, achieving significantly greater log reductions at similar use concentrations.

Table 2
UCARCIDE Glutaraldehyde Products vs. THPS Speed of Kill for SRBs
SRB Counts
Biocide (% active) 1 minute 2 minutes
GA, 0.25 102 101
GA, 0.50 10 2
101
THPS, 0.25 >109 106
THPS, 0.50 >109 103
THPS, 1.00 107 101
Control (cells/mL) >109 >109
GA = UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products

Biofilm and iron sulfide are two common challenges in fluid applications. Both can result in the fouling
of a fluid and ultimately cause plugging to occur. In regard to biofilm, because it is easier to prevent
than to remove, a low level continuous-feed approach is often implemented. However, this typically
backfires, especially in dirty systems. While planktonic counts may appear acceptable, the system
can become quickly overwhelmed, allowing biofilms to form. A study was conducted to illustrate this
point using artificial biofilm beads prepared with produced water from Alaska containing SRBs, iron
sulfide and other contaminants. UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products and THPS were dosed at various
increments totaling 50 ppm per hour. As Figure 1 shows, UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products showed
greater efficacy against sessile (biofilm) organisms than did THPS, demonstrating that higher biocide
concentrations dosed for shorter periods of time can result in higher levels of penetration and kill than a
low-level continuous feed of biocide.

Figure 1
50 ppm-hour Sessile (biofilm) Reduction
6

5 Log Reduction,
UCARCIDE Glutaraldehyde Products
4 Log Reduction, THPS
Log Reduction

Control 10 6
3

0
100 ppm, 0.5 hr 50 ppm, 1 hr 25 ppm, 2 hr
Treatment
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 When iron sulfide is present together with biofilm, UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products and THPS
can successfully be used in tandem to resolve the issue. This approach draws upon the strength
of THPS to dissolve iron sulfide and combines it with UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products efficacy
against biofilm and SRBs. To effectively control microbial concentrations, it is recommended that the
system be dosed with THPS according to the manufacturers specifications, and be slug-dosed once or
twice a week with glutaraldehyde. The system should be monitored regularly to ensure that microbial
populations remain under control.

In regard to the environmental fate of the biocides, glutaraldehyde metabolizes under aerobic and
anaerobic conditions, while THPS has only demonstrated metabolism under anaerobic conditions.
Further, only UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products have been shown to be readily biodegradable
as defined by The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 301A
Biodegradation guidelines. And, unlike THPS, UCARCIDE glutaraldehyde products have also passed
the OECD 306 test for biodegradability in seawater. This favorable environmental profile, combined
with the ability to quickly and effectively address difficult microbial challenges, makes UCARCIDE
glutaraldehyde products a valuable addition to the industrys biocide arsenal.

The Dow Chemical Company offers the following UCARCIDE products for oilfield applications:
UCARCIDE 14 Antimicrobial, UCARCIDE 15 Antimicrobial, UCARCIDE 25 Antimicrobial,
UCARCIDE 130 LT Antimicrobial, UCARCIDE 42 Antimicrobial, UCARCIDE 50 Antimicrobial and
UCARCIDE SB 130.

For further information

visit our website:
www.dowbiocides.com
or call:
United States 1-800-447-4369 (phone)
and Canada: 1-989-832-1560 (phone)
1-989-832-1465 (fax)
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32-3-450-2240 (phone)
32-3-450-2815 (fax)
Pacific: 800-7776-7776 (phone)
800-7779-7779 (fax)
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