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Improving sedimentation in wastewater treatment plants with a capacity above 200 000 RLM

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ARTYKUŁ
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Improving sedimentation in wastewater treatment plants with a capacity above 200 000 RLM

Rapid improvement in sedimentation with extremely low doses


In recent years, there has been a change in the characteristics of domestic wastewater, including increased inflows of wastewater rich in fatty substances with the presence of lyophilic colloids (e.g., the development of home-based gastronomic points) and surfactants, especially non-ionic ones, which are more difficult to biodegrade in treatment processes. Additionally, the most popular and aggressive SPC compounds such as SLES, SDS, or LAS have become more prevalent. A significant increase in the quantity of detergents in wastewater was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the use of disinfectants increased. Very often, the active ingredients in these products are quaternary ammonium salts or amphoteric amine oxides, which can reduce biological activity.

Wastewater treatment plants serving large urban areas may have a higher inflow of pollutant loads, including from various industrial sectors. Periodic issues with sludge sedimentation can occur for several reasons, such as overloading with pollutant loads, increased temporary inflow of sewage or rainwater, limitations in plant capacity, or ongoing renovation work.

To address these challenges and the market demand for a fast-acting, intervention tool to improve sedimentation, the DuoBent F500 preparation was developed. Previously, DuoBent preparations, in the case of high-capacity treatment plants, might have been associated with the need to dose significant quantities of the product, which required substantial operator involvement. Efforts were made to minimize the required dosage to achieve the desired effect.

The issue of increased periodic inflows of rainwater affects many wastewater treatment plants in Poland, whether due to their geographical location or general limitations in technological capacity. As demonstrated by the experiences from applications in treatment plants, DuoBent F500 can be used as an effective tool to prevent sludge flotation and, consequently, the uncontrolled escape of biomass in secondary settlers.

Additionally, DuoBent F500 can also be an effective tool for facilities receiving wastewater in tourist areas, which in a relatively short time or periodically throughout the year, receive significant pollutant loads. Often, biological systems designed for a specific capacity are not adapted to accommodate increased inflows, even if they occur temporarily.

By using DuoBent F500 at a wastewater treatment plant, you gain:


1.

the possibility of quickly and interventionally improving sedimentation, even at wastewater treatment plants above 200,000 RLM,

2.

a solution for wastewater treatment plants with a constant inflow of wastewater rich in fatty substances and surfactants, such as tourist destinations, hotels, extensive gastronomy, etc.,

3.

improvement of sedimentation at extremely low doses – starting from 0.030 kg/m3 of the oxygenation tank volume,

4.

a quick tool to use in the event of emergencies, biomass escapes, flow restrictions, process line shutdowns, upgrades, or increased rainfall runoff.

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Improving the sedimentation of sludge in SBR reactors

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PORADNIK
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Improving the sedimentation of sludge in SBR reactors

DuoBent | Fast and Convenient Solution for SBR-Type Wastewater Treatment Plants


Sequential Batch Reactors (SBRs) allow for flexible regulation of individual phases of the cycle depending on current operational needs. However, periodic issues with sludge sedimentation can disrupt the wastewater treatment process. Hindered sedimentation can be caused by factors such as filamentous bulking or the inflow of a high pollutant load in the wastewater. Moreover, in tourist areas or places with extensive gastronomy and hotels, wastewater rich in fatty substances and surfactants may occur, which will additionally generate foam and scum on the surface. This also applies to emergency situations such as breakdowns, biomass escape, flow capacity restrictions, upgrades, or increased inflow of rainwater.

In such situations, there is a need for immediate or periodically ongoing efforts to improve sludge sedimentation. The ideal solution for operators is the DuoBent preparation, which can shorten the sedimentation cycle to as little as 20-30 minutes. This allows us to shorten the entire individual cycle or just the sedimentation phase, thereby extending the aeration phase to improve the nitrification process.

This is extremely important from the perspective of wastewater treatment plants that periodically face overloads of pollutant loads in incoming sewage.

We provide technological support as part of our collaboration


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Safe use of DuoBent

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RESEARCH
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The Safety of Using DuoBent

Safety confirmed by experience and research


Since 2015, BIOM Biological Laboratory has been conducting research involving microscopic observations of activated sludge, confirming the absence of negative effects from the applied doses of DuoBent preparation on the morphology and biocenosis of activated sludge. No changes in biological activity or signs of environmental toxicity have been observed.

Additionally, the research conducted so far has shown a tenfold increase in the population of aerobic bacteria after the application of DuoBent compared to control samples, directly indicating the potential for an increase in their population on submicron particles of the preparation.

The safety of using the preparation is also confirmed by over 8 years of DuoBent’s presence in the European market. We have successfully assisted in optimizing wastewater treatment processes on over 150 treatment plants throughout Poland.

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Startup and Operation of the DuoFlow Mixer

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GUIDE
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Startup and Operation of the DuoFlow Mixer

Dosing with the DuoFlow Mixer.


To familiarize yourself with the startup and operation instructions for the DuoFlow mixer, we invite you to visit our official YouTube channel.

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Limiting the bacterial population of radiotrophic bacteria

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Article in the category:
GUIDE
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Limiting the bacterial population of radiotrophic bacteria

Reducing the adverse effects of excessive radiotrophic bacteria growth in the activated sludge


Radiotrophic bacteria are a group of Gram-positive bacteria commonly referred to as “Nocardia-like Actinomycetes.” This group encompasses many species with similar morphology, such as Nocardia amarae, Nocardia pinensis, Rhodococcus, Gordona, and Skermania. Many bacteria in this group are morphologically indistinguishable, which is why they are often simply classified as radiotrophic bacteria (type Actinobacteria). Their excessive growth is mainly associated with the maintenance of aged sludge in wastewater treatment plants receiving sewage rich in fats and surfactants. However, they can also thrive in environments not only rich in fats but also in sugars, alcohols, acetates, aromatic compounds, or hydrocarbons. The rate of their growth is directly related to the high concentration of substrate.

Recommendations found in the literature for reducing the age of sludge are not always effective. This is due to the accumulation of radiotrophic bacteria in foam or scum. Their high resistance to drying and UV radiation allows radiotrophic bacteria to survive in the floated sludge. Additionally, the presence of fatty substances in the floating sludge fractions promotes their growth. This leads to a situation where the quantity of radiotrophic bacteria in the active sludge is small, while the thickness of the scum continues to increase.

Another recommended approach to reduce the number of radiotrophic bacteria is the application of aluminum ions, which effectively decontaminate radiotrophic bacteria. However, it’s important to note that they only affect the cells present in the active sludge and not those in the scum. This treatment no longer has a significant impact on cells accumulated in the scum. Additionally, in the presence of a high supply of fatty substances, even with prolonged aluminum ion dosing, scum may still appear on the reactor’s surface. Therefore, in the battle against radiotrophic bacteria, frequent actions using various methods (reducing sludge age, using aluminum ions) to limit their population are insufficient.

A new, innovative strategy for controlling radiotrophic bacteria has been developed, directly addressing the root cause of their presence in the active sludge, allowing for:


1.

Reducing the availability of fatty substrates for bacteria → reducing fatty substances using the DuoBent preparation (up to 90%)

2.

Reducing the ability to form foam → demonstrated attachment of radiotrophic bacteria to submicron particles of DuoBent, which directly prevents their transport to air bubbles, thereby reducing foam formation

3.


Improving the sedimentation of sludge rich in filamentous bacteria is significantly aided by the effect of electrostatic interaction, especially in the sedimentation of activated sludge abundant in Actinobacteria

4.


Enhancing clarity and improving the parameters of treated wastewater → reducing suspended solids (up to 99%) and COD (up to 55%)

In doing so, DuoBent attaches radiotrophic bacteria to its particles, also entrapped in the foam, reducing the formation of scum and accelerating their decontamination, for example, with aluminum ions.

Microscopic images of microorganisms in the activated sludge


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How to conduct a test with DuoBent preparation?

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Article in the category:
GUIDE
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How to conduct a test with DuoBent preparation?

Conducting sedimentation tests using DuoBent preparation directly at your wastewater treatment plant.


We conduct sedimentation observation using the so-called 30-minute settling test. It should be performed EVERY TIME before application at the wastewater treatment plant.

The order of performing the test.


1.

We pour the sludge collected from the aerobic chamber during active aeration into one-liter containers (preferably a beaker or cylinder).

We leave one sample of sludge without any additive as the “0” control. For each subsequent container, we add one vial of DuoBent preparation in the appropriate dosage. After adding the powder to the container, we mix it for about 3 minutes, either using a stirrer or manually with a laboratory pipette, for example.

2.


Then, after approximately 5 minutes, we mix it again for a period of about 2-3 minutes.

3.


We leave the samples for observation for 30 minutes to assess the sedimentation level. Always leave the samples for further observation for a minimum of 60 minutes (if possible, 120 minutes) for observation and comparison with the “0” sample, which is the sludge without the addition of DuoBent preparation.


If there is an occurrence of sludge flotation to the surface of the container, we conduct the test again with a smaller dose of DuoBent preparation. We observe the moment of potential sludge flotation compared to the “0” sample to determine the approximate retention time of the sludge in the secondary settler.

Optionally


If the desired effect is not achieved after dosing with DuoBent preparation, we conduct the test again with a larger dose.

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Assisting the nitrification process

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ARTICLE
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Enhancing the nitrification process

Prepare your sludge for the winter season


Many wastewater treatment plants face systematic disruptions in the nitrification processes, especially during the autumn-winter or early spring periods, which may be attributed to fluctuations in wastewater temperature. Any decrease in temperature can significantly impact the growth of bacteria, especially mesophilic ones, limiting their activity, which plays a substantial role in the removal of specific pollutants. During dry weather conditions, wastewater temperatures can drop by an average of 2 degrees Celsius within a day. However, a noticeable decrease is observed when there is rainfall or snowmelt during winter, where the excess inflow of water with wastewater can worsen the biological processes in the treatment plant. Therefore, reduced wastewater temperature can have a significant impact primarily on the efficiency of nitrogen compound removal. Another factor could be the influence of a constant inflow of excessive pollutant loads, whether for municipal or industrial wastewater treatment plants utilizing the activated sludge method.

In such situations, systematic dosing during the autumn-winter period contributes to the increase in the population of aerobic bacteria and ensures a consistent and controlled reduction of the excess inflow load, including ammonium nitrogen, total nitrogen, COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), and phosphorus. DuoBent, once introduced into the sludge, circulates within the system, creating a kind of safety buffer to accommodate uncontrolled or periodically increased inflow loads at the treatment plant (e.g., in tourist areas or industrial wastewater with campaign-like characteristics).

Furthermore, research conducted at BIOM Biological Laboratory demonstrated the potential for a tenfold increase in the population of aerobic bacteria after the application of DuoBent compared to the control group. The study on the impact of DuoBent on the population of aerobic bacteria in the active sludge was continued for a period of 60 days. In the sludge cultured without DuoBent, the bacterial population increased from 1.9 x 10^6 CFU/g s.s. to 5.5 x 10^6 CFU/g s.s. Meanwhile, in the sludge treated with DuoBent, the bacterial count was significantly higher and ranged from 5.5 x 10^7 CFU/g s.s. to 1.1 x 10^8 CFU/g s.s.

By doing so, we create a favorable environment for the development of nitrifying bacteria on the surface of submicron particles of DuoBent, which directly contributes to improving the parameters of the treated wastewater, effectively reducing pollutants.

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