General Electric Company
Fatty acid biodispersant and methods of use

Abstract:

Methods and compositions for dispersing a biofilm in an aqueous stream using fatty acids are disclosed. The fatty acids may have the formula: R.sup.1-R.sup.5--CH.sub.3 wherein R.sup.1 is an aryl or arylalkyl, --COR.sup.2, --COOR.sup.2, or --CONR.sup.3R.sup.4, --PO.sub.3(R.sup.2).sub.3; R.sup.2 is H, an alkyl, an aryl or arylalkyl, or a halide; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be the same or different and are H, a hydroxyl, an alkyl, an aryl or arylalkyl, a halide, or a sulfo (sulfonic acid group); R.sup.5 is an aliphatic chain having 2-30 carbon atoms and at least one double bond; and wherein when R.sup.1 is --COOH and R.sup.5 has eight carbon atoms and the FA has only one double bond, such double bond is not on the number 2 carbon.