Patent ID: 7780859
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: A01N,C02F

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling the growth of bacterial biomass in an aqueous system comprising adding to, or contacting with, the aqueous system an effective amount of an uncoupling agent which is a water-soluble biocide comprising an alkyl substituted phosphonium compound of formula (I) or an alkyl-substituted phosphine of formula (II) or a condensate of formula (III): wherein: X is an anion; n is the valency of X represented by m; each A can be the same or different and is selected from the group consisting of OH, OR, SO each R, and each R in each A group, is independently selected from hydrogen, a C R″ is a divalent hydrocarbon radical having from 2-20 carbon atoms and is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, carboxy, amino, alkylamino, and PR each R in formula (III) each v is 1 or 2, k is from 0 to 10, x is the number of groups in the molecule having v=2 and X is a compatible anion of valency y such that the compound is water-soluble, wherein the aqueous system is a wastewater treatment plant used for the treatment of industrial or municipal effluent, wherein said biocide reduces sludge growth in said aqueous system.