Non-Oxidizing Biocide for RO – 25 kg Drum | UV Water Systems Oman

Biological fouling is a persistent challenge in RO systems operating on surface water, treated sewage effluent, or any feed source with elevated organic loading. Bacteria in the feed water attach to membrane surfaces and feed spacers, forming biofilm colonies that grow steadily through the element stack. Unlike scale or colloidal fouling, biofilm is self-regenerating — it continues to grow between cleaning cycles unless controlled at the source. The non-oxidizing biocide supplied by UV Water Systems in Muscat uses DBNPA (2,2-Dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide) or CMIT/MIT (Kathon CG) active chemistry to kill bacteria at the pre-treatment stage before they reach the membrane elements, without the oxidative damage that chlorine or ozone would cause to polyamide TFC membranes.

How Non-Oxidizing Biocides Work

Non-oxidizing biocides kill bacteria and biofilm through electrophilic attack on cell membrane proteins and enzyme systems, rather than through oxidation. DBNPA is a fast-acting, rapidly biodegradable biocide that disrupts cell respiration within minutes of contact. CMIT/MIT is slower-acting but provides longer-duration control at lower doses. Both actives are safe for continuous low-dose application to RO feed water with polyamide membranes. UV Water Systems selects the appropriate active based on your system’s biological loading, feed water temperature, and membrane type.

Key Features and Benefits

Membrane-safe chemistry: Non-oxidizing actives do not attack the polyamide barrier layer — unlike chlorine, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide, which cause irreversible oxidative damage to TFC membranes at even low concentrations.
Controls biofilm at source: Dose upstream of the cartridge filter to kill planktonic bacteria before they reach the membrane, breaking the biofilm formation cycle before it starts.
Effective at low dose rates: DBNPA is effective at 1–5 mg/L; CMIT/MIT at 1–3 mg/L. Both provide effective biofilm control without high chemical consumption or disposal burdens.
Compatible with antiscalant: Can be used concurrently with RO antiscalant in the feed water dosing programme — no interference between biocide and scale inhibitor chemistry.
Intermittent or continuous dosing: Depending on biological load, biocide can be dosed continuously at low levels or intermittently as a shock treatment programme based on microbiological monitoring results.

Technical Specifications

Pack size: 25 kg drum
Active: DBNPA or CMIT/MIT (confirmed on order)
Dose range: 1–5 mg/L continuous; 10–20 mg/L shock dose
Membrane compatibility: All polyamide TFC RO membranes
Application point: Feed water upstream of cartridge filter
Quality: ISO 9001:2015 certified supply chain

Applications Across Oman

Non-oxidizing biocides are used in Oman’s industrial RO plants treating surface water, treated effluent, or well water with elevated bacterial counts. UV Water Systems includes biocide dosing in the pre-treatment design for hospital, food industry, and hotel water treatment systems where strict microbiological water quality is required by Oman standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a biocide if I already dose SMBS for dechlorination? SMBS dechlorinates feed water — it does not kill bacteria. After SMBS addition, the RO feed has zero disinfecting residual, which can allow bacteria to proliferate in warm Oman feed water conditions. A non-oxidizing biocide provides the microbial control that SMBS cannot.

Can UV Water Systems test my system for biological fouling? Yes — we carry out feed water and membrane swab microbiological testing and can design a biocide programme based on the results. Contact our team in Muscat at +968 9763 7786.

UV Water Systems is an ISO 9001:2015 certified water treatment company based in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, with 14+ years of experience. We supply, install, and service water treatment solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial clients across Oman. Call +968 9763 7786 or visit www.uvwater.biz.

RO Biofouling Muscat

Non-Oxidizing Biocide for RO 25 kg Drum – UV Water Systems Oman