Abstract: The present invention relates to an organophosphonium derivative of the mean general formula (1), where n is a number comprised between 4 and 20, preferably between 5 and 10, m is a number between 0 and 10, preferably between 0 and 1, and Y is an anion. The invention also relates to a method for preparing same, and to a method for controlling the growth of bacterial biomass in an aqueous system, including adding to said aqueous system or contacting said aqueous system with an efficient amount of an uncoupling agent selected from an organophosphonium derivative as defined above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling the growth of bacterial biomass in an aqueous system, including adding to the aqueous system or contacting the aqueous system, with an efficient amount of an uncoupling agent selected from vanillin, pentaerythritol and a betaine of general formula (1): (R)3N+?[CH2]n?CO2? wherein the R groups, are identical or different, and are selected from a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and n is a number between 1 and 5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an organophosphonium derivative of the mean general formula (1), where n is a number comprised between 4 and 20, preferably between 5 and 10, m is a number between 0 and 10, preferably between 0 and 1, and Y is an anion. The invention also relates to a method for preparing same, and to a method for controlling the growth of bacterial biomass in an aqueous system, including adding to said aqueous system or contacting said aqueous system with an efficient amount of an uncoupling agent selected from an organophosphonium derivative as defined above.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of an effective amount of a non-oxidizing water-soluble biocide in the improvement of sludge quality by reducing the sludge tendency towards bulking, wherein the biocide comprises an alkyl-substituted phosphonium compound, an alkyl-substituted phosphine, an alkyl-substituted phosphine condensate, or a polymeric quaternary ammonium compound.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of an effective amount of a non-oxidising water-soluble biocide in the improvement of sludge quality by reducing the sludge tendency towards bulking, wherein the biocide comprises an alkyl-substituted phosphonium compound, an alkyl-substituted phosphine, an alkyl-substituted phosphine condensate, or a polymeric quaternary ammonium compound.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of a water-soluble biocide as an uncoupling agent at an effective amount to control bacterial biomass in an aqueous system. The invention also provides a method for controlling the growth of bacterial biomass in an aqueous system. The method comprises adding to, or contacting with, the aqueous system an effective amount of an uncoupling agent which is a water-soluble biocide. In a preferred embodiment the method comprises contacting an effective amount of an uncoupling agent which is a water-soluble biocide directly with the bacterial biomass in an aqueous system.

Abstract: A reactor comprises a cylindrical body (1) with a lower cylindrical portion (5) and an upper cylindrical portion (6) of greater diameter than the lower portion, mutually connected by a connecting ring (7), a filtering ring (2) arranged in the lower part of the upper portion (6) and supported by the connecting ring (7), and an inner cylindrical member (3) having, at the lower end thereof, a flange (8) bearing on the filtering ring (7) and providing a gap (9) between the outer periphery of the flange (8) and the inner wall of the upper portion (6), wherein all the rotary elements are coaxially disposed.