- The number 1 cause of blocked condensate drains in refrigeration is biofilm (EPS). It looks like a clear jelly or slime.
- The EPS is a secretion produced by microbes in the water, a survival mechanism that is resistant to cleaning chemicals.
- The microbes are in the surrounding air supply – unavoidable in the units function.
- Biofilm EPS affects many different industries and manufacturing processes in many different ways, each industry develops its own context-specific solution.
- The biofilm EPS as a jelly slime is found in refrigeration, affecting all the drains in the chain.
- Biofilm EPS jelly is resistant to cleaning chemicals and even heat treatment. Once cleaned, the growth process starts again immediately.
- The biofilm can even react aggressively to chlorine-based cleaners causing them to increase EPS production as a defensive reaction.
- The microbes follow a preset sequence of irreversible behaviour; the microbes communicate by ‘quorum sensing’, followed by pili extension – attachment, then finally secretion of the biofilm EPS jelly.
- In supermarkets, it is typically the 40mm condensate drains that block causing the chillers to leak, or rising water to damage electrical parts.
- Biofilms are the biggest cause of blocked chiller drains and condensate pump failure.