Waters received at WWTPs represent many types of domestic and industrial wastes in a complex biological process requiring the interaction of countless bacterial actions over time in order to decompose. Some of the bacteria present can cause problems when managing waste water treatment systems resulting in difficulties such as offensive odors, poor biomass, corrosion/increased maintenance charges and reduction in the quality of the final effluent.
The Non-Active Biocatalysts as OrTec introduce an environmental, biological solution, which will maximize the efficient operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs). This is a unique and innovative approach to waste water treatment management and is completely safe to handle and utilize in WWTPs.
Many WWTPs experience problems with odor, particularly Hydrogen Sulfide gas, which regularly occur when anaerobic conditions in tanks, ponds and collection systems (pumping stations) cause its generation. Microbes responsible for the breakdown of substrate in anaerobic conditions convert sulfur-containing compounds into sulfide, using sulfur/sulfate as an oxygen source. The sulfur cycle is a very important step in the decomposition of waste and necessary for the survival of organisms themselves. However, a by-product of this process is Hydrogen Sulfide, which most naturally occurring bacteria cannot utilize because of its toxic nature. This in turn substantially reduces biological activity.
The traditional solutions to the WWTPs management treat the symptoms once the problem has occurred. The non-active biocatalysts treat the source of the problem and eradicate it before it becomes a difficulty for the plant.
The type of organisms and bacteria, which are actually dominant in wastewaters depend on, many factors, but of particular significance is the availability of micronutrients. Certain bacteria, especially aerobic species, need more trace elements as co-factors than anaerobic bacteria. If the availability of such nutrients is low, other bacteria, which do not have such a large need for micronutrients, will become dominant. In addition, sometimes bacteria or yeast stains release sufficient quantities of antibiotics, in order to suppress the growth of other microorganisms. Protozoa might also have an undesirable effect by feeding on bacteria, so that the population of desirable bacteria is reduced.
Introducing non-active biocatalysts to the WWTPs stimulates and encourages various sources of bacteria and provides oxygen availability, which favors the sulfide to sulfuric acid equilibrium. This in turn eradicates odor through the elimination of hydrogen sulfide gas, and prevents further corrosion of plant and machinery.
Main benefits of applying non-active biocatalysts
– Odor Control: With a stabilized system, not only will hydrogen sulfide cease to be a problem, but with enhanced desirable bacterial performance, ammonia, mercaptans and skatoles also cease to be problematic.
– Fats, Oil & Grease: While the most difficult industrial wastes are eventually degraded by normally present bacteria, some are exceptionally stable and often require additional time for breakdown. With enhanced bacterial stimulation, these substances are quickly converted into more elementary compounds, (i.e. proteins, fatty acids, glycerol, carbon dioxide and water). The “charged” bacteria, providing a faster and more complete reduction, then consume these far more readily.
– Enhanced Biomass: Following the removal of the toxic Hydrogen Sulfide an efficient reduction of organic solids is going to be accomplished in tandem with a healthier Biomass.
The stimulation effect on the existing bacteria will result in an increase in the capacity for sludge digestion. Ordinarily, the organic material available for decomposition is more “food” than an unhealthy biomass can digest, with the excess settling and forming sludge. With a non-active biocatalyst, this sludge is stimulated and rejuvenated, allowing bacteria to reproduce at a tremendous rate. Following this cleaning effect and the detoxifying of the system, the accumulated sludge becomes a readily available food source, and is quickly digested.
Other benefits of applying a non-active biocatalyst
Regular treatment will provide specific enhancements to the WWTPs, as follows:
– Primary Sedimentation Tanks: Effective control of H2S, improved settling of solids, odor control and grease removal.
– Percolating Biological Filters: Detoxify septic pockets, “dead” inactive pockets, removal of clogging and ponding.
– Activated Sludge Plants: Detoxify, increase in consumption through increase in digestion, increase dissolved oxygen and odor control.
– Raw Sludge’s: Lagoons and holding tanks are effectively deodorized prior to dewatering and digestion.
– Sludge Liquors, Filtrates: Often odorous, and containing high levels of sulfide, these are effectively treated prior to their return to the head of the works. These flows then act to further enhance the non-active biocatalyst performance, that doesn’t need to be dosed again at the head of the works.
– Raw Sewage Collection: Low flows and long retention times in rising mains give rise to the generation of H2S, due to septicity. This can be effectively dealt with by simply dosing the non-active biocatalyst at the relevant pumping station.
– Anaerobic Digesters: Sulfide is common in digesters, causing corrosion problems with the gas burned in combined heat and power generators, as well as odor and toxicity, to the digestion process. A non-active biocatalyst will solve all such problems.