Brad Mcilwain | Author at LuminUltra

Brad McIlwain has over eight years of experience in the water and wastewater industry. Prior to joining LuminUltra, he worked for several years as a consulting engineer, where he helped solve complex water and wastewater treatment process issues. He has a particular interest in water system corrosion. During his Master’s, his research focused on water quality and corrosion in premise plumbing. Brad enjoys being outdoors, spending as many weekends as possible camping, hiking, and cycling.

Why it’s important to measure backgrounds in ATP samples

For those familiar with 2nd Generation ATP testing, it’s clear that the luminometer is a critical piece of equipment in the testing procedure. It allows us to quantify ATP by measuring the light produced through the reaction of ATP and the luciferin-luciferase based enzyme – just like the way light is produced in a firefly’s… Read More

Not Your Average Filter – Specialized Features of Luminultra’s Quench-Gone Filter

Anyone looking through our line of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) test kits will probably notice one particular item that is included in some methods, but not in others: the Quench-Gone syringe filters. So, what purpose do they serve and why are they only used in some methods? A major advantage of LuminUltra’s 2nd Generation ATP… Read More

Most Wanted Microbes – Pseudomonas

From the editor: This is the 14th post in an ongoing series profiling microorganisms of particular significance in water and wastewater systems. In this series we will cover microorganisms of many types including some that are beneficial, inhibitory and pathogenic. Pseudomonas is a genus of Gram-negative, rod shaped, non-spore forming bacteria. More than 190… Read More

How to Mitigate Biofouling in Your Industrial Process Using 2^nd Generation ATP

Microorganisms can wreak havoc in industrial processes in a number of ways – from slime formation that causes paper breaks and excessive downtime in papermaking facilities, to costly recalls of spoiled final product. Consequently, an effective microbiological control program, which includes accurate and reliable monitoring, is critical for maintaining an efficient process and final… Read More

No Grey Area to This Issue: Slimes of All Colours Can Cause Costly Problems in Papermaking Processes

Pink, orange, red, brown and grey – paper mill slimes can come in an endless range of colours. What contributes to these variances in colour? Microorganisms. Different species – which live within a slime – produce different hues. Unfortunately, you won’t find gold at the end of that rainbow. In fact, it’s quite the… Read More

Most Wanted Microbes – Coliforms

From the editor: This is the ninth post in an ongoing series profiling microorganisms of particular significance in water and wastewater systems. In this series we will cover microorganisms of many types including some that are beneficial, inhibitory and pathogenic. Coliforms are a group of gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that generally belong within the family of… Read More

Smelly Paint: Why We Must Keep Microbes out of Chemical Products

Painting is a hobby for some and a tortuous task for others. Regardless of where you fall on that spectrum, nobody likes it when paint smells. If you’ve never had the experience of opening up a can of paint and being hit with a rotten egg smell, consider yourself lucky. Paint and other chemical… Read More

Who Turned up the Heat? What You Need to Know about Biofilms and Heat Transfer.

Whether you work at an oil refinery, power plant, or in an office building, chances are you owe your comfort to a cooling tower. These engineering marvels are responsible for keeping your process fluids cool, turbines spinning, and even your work environment comfortable by transferring heat from water to air. Of course, where there… Read More