Common Disinfection Methods for Water Tanks and Storage

1. Chlorination

   • Widely used due to its effectiveness against bacteria and viruses.

   • Affordable and relatively easy to apply.

   • However, chlorine can leave residual odors, tastes, and harmful by-products such as trihalomethanes (THMs).

2. UV Irradiation

   • Destroys microorganisms by damaging their DNA.

   • Effective for point-of-entry systems, but less so in large tanks where shadows and turbidity can limit UV penetration.

3. Ozonation

   • A powerful oxidizing method that inactivates bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

   • Leaves no chemical residues.

   • However, ozonation systems can be costly to install and operate.

4. Mechanical Cleaning

   • Periodic draining and scrubbing of storage tanks to remove sludge, sediments, and biofilms.

   • Necessary but labor-intensive, and does not prevent rapid microbial regrowth if disinfection is not applied afterward.

Nanobubbles: A Next-Generation Disinfection Solution

Nanobubble technology is emerging as a highly effective, eco-friendly solution for water tank and storage disinfection. Nanobubbles are ultra-fine gas bubbles—typically less than 200 nanometers in size—that can be infused with gases like oxygen or ozone.

Why nanobubbles are effective:

• Long residence time: Unlike larger bubbles that rise and burst quickly, nanobubbles remain stable in water for weeks, allowing continuous treatment.

• Enhanced oxidation: Ozone nanobubbles deliver powerful disinfection without leaving harmful residues, while oxygen nanobubbles increase dissolved oxygen levels, suppressing anaerobic bacteria.

• Biofilm disruption: Nanobubbles generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) during collapse, which helps break down stubborn biofilms inside tanks and pipes.

• Chemical reduction: They reduce or eliminate the need for high chemical doses, making the process safer and more sustainable.

Conclusion

While traditional disinfection methods such as chlorination and UV remain widely used, they each come with limitations. Nanobubble technology offers a promising alternative for water tank and storage disinfection by combining effectiveness, sustainability, and safety. As more facilities adopt nanobubble systems, they are poised to become a cornerstone of modern water treatment strategies.