冷却水系统中的微生物生长会导致腐蚀，降低能源效率，并有可能导致人类感染。这些系统中微生物生长的控制通常通过使用化学杀生物剂来实现。最近，非化学水处理方法作为一种替代方法得到了越来越多的使用。然而，很少有以未经处理的系统作为参考的客观研究可用于验证这些设备控制冷却塔中微生物生长的有效性。因此，本次调查的具体目标是对模型冷却塔系统中用于控制生物活性的几类非化学处理装置（NCD）进行受控、独立和科学的评估。

Microbial growth in cooling water systems causes corrosion, decreases energy efficiency, and has the potential to cause human infection. Control of microbial growth in these systems is typically achieved with the use of chemical biocides. Recently, non-chemical water treatment methods have seen increased use as an alternative. However, few objective studies with an untreated system as a reference are available to verify the efficacy of these devices to control microbial growth in cooling towers. Therefore, the specific objective of this investigation was to provide a controlled, independent, and scientific evaluation of several classes of non-chemical treatment devices (NCDs) for controlling biological activity in a model cooling tower system.