ASTM D6530-19

Standard Test Method for Total Active Biomass in Cooling Tower Waters (Kool Kount Assay; KKA)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is useful for rapid determination of viable active biomass concentrations in cooling tower waters. The efficiency of cooling towers is directly affected by the concentration of biomass in the cooling tower waters. As biomass concentrations increase, biofilm formation occurs resulting in a decrease in the efficiency of heat exchange in the tower. Current tests for monitoring the biomass concentration in cooling towers require at least 36 h for growth of the microorganisms on a solid agar surface for counting. Replication of microorganisms over the 36-h period before results are available creates an aqueous environment which is no longer represented by the data generated. Timely test results can assist in minimizing biocide addition to control biomass concentrations. Kool Kount provides data within hours to allow for more precise control of active biomass concentrations in the waters.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of viable active biomass in cooling tower water in the range from 102 to 108 cfu/mL. It is a semiquantitative test method.  
1.2 This test method was used successfully with reagent water, physiologic saline, and cooling tower waters. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 9.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2019
• ICS: 27.200 - Refrigerating technology
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.24 - Water Microbiology

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D6530 − 19
Standard Test Method for
Total Active Biomass in Cooling Tower Waters (Kool Kount
1
Assay; KKA)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6530; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* D2777Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
1.1 This test method covers the determination of viable
2 D3370Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process
active biomass in cooling tower water in the range from 10 to
8 Streams
10 cfu/mL. It is a semiquantitative test method.
1.2 This test method was used successfully with reagent
3. Terminology
water, physiologic saline, and cooling tower waters. It is the
3.1 Definitions:
user’s responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
for waters of untested matrices.
Terminology D1129.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
3.2.1 cfu/mL, n—colony forming units per millilitre.
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
3.2.2 snapping cup, n—container provided for holding the
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sample and snapping tip of the vial.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.3 vial, n—sealed glass ampoule under vacuum contain-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ing reagents for the Kool Kount Test.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Summary of Test Method
For specific hazard statements, see Section 9.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1 Thistestmethodconsistsofaddingaspecificvolumeof
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
water to nutrients and a color indicator contained in a glass
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
vial. The contents of the vial are then mixed and incubated at
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
35 6 3°C (95°F); that is, in a shirt pocket, incubator, or heat
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
block. The color of the sample after addition into the vial
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
containing the nutrients and color indicator is yellow. Viable
active biomass in the sample replicates using the nutrients
2. Referenced Documents
provided and reduces the color indicator.At a critical biomass
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
concentration, sufficient quantities of the color indicator are
D1129Terminology Relating to Water
reduced resulting in a visible change in the indicator from the
D1192Guide for Equipment for Sampling Water and Steam
original yellow sample color to orange. The time required for
3
in Closed Conduits (Withdrawn 2003)
conversion of the oxidized indicator to the reduced indicator
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
resulting in an orange color as directly correlated with the
concentration of viable active biomass in the water sample
tested. High concentrations of active biomass in the sample
produce the positive orange color more rapidly than low
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water
concentrations of viable biomass.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.24 on Water Microbiology.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2019. Published December 2019. Originally
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D6530– 00 (2013).
5. Significance and Use
DOI: 10.1520/D6530-19.
2
5.1 This test method is useful for rapid determination of
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
viable active biomass concentrations in cooling tower waters.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
The efficiency of cooling towers is directly affected by the
the ASTM website.
3
concentration of biomass in the cooling tower waters. As
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. biomass concentrations increase, biofilm formation occurs
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Consh
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6530 − 00 (Reapproved 2013) D6530 − 19
Standard Test Method for
Total Active Biomass in Cooling Tower Waters (Kool Kount
1
Assay; KKA)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6530; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
2 8
1.1 This test method covers the determination of viable active biomass in cooling tower water in the range from 10 to 10
cfu/mL (1). cfu/mL. It is a semiquantitative test method.
1.2 This test method was used successfully with reagent water, physiologic saline, and cooling tower waters. It is the
user’suser’s responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for
information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 9.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
3
D1192 Guide for Equipment for Sampling Water and Steam in Closed Conduits (Withdrawn 2003)
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.24 on Water Microbiology.
Current edition approved June 1, 2013Dec. 1, 2019. Published July 2013December 2019. Originally approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 20062013 as
D6530 – 00 (2006).(2013). DOI: 10.1520/D6530-00R13.10.1520/D6530-19.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D6530 − 19
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process Streams
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions: For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D1129.
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D1129.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 cfu/mL, n—colony forming units per millilitre.
3.2.2 snapping cup—cup, n—container provided for holding the sample and snapping tip of the vial.
3.2.3 vial—vial, n—sealed glass ampoule under vacuum containing reagents for the Kool Kount Test.
3.3 Symbols:
3.3.1 cfu/mL—colony forming units per millilitre.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method consists of adding a specific volume of water to nutrients and a color indicator contained in a glass vial.
The contents of the vial are then mixed and incubated at 95°F (35 6 3°C; 35 6 3°C (95°F); that is, in a shirt pocket, incubator,
or heat block).block. The color of the sample after addition into the vial containing the nutrients and color indicator is yellow.
Viable active biomass in the sample replicates using the nutrients provided and reduces the color indicator. At a critical biomass
concentration, sufficient quantities of the color indicator are reduced resulting in a visible change in the indicator from the original
yellow sample color to orange. The time required for conversion of the oxidized indicator to the reduced indicator resulting in an
orange color as direct
...