| The algaewheel™ is the central
component to a more efficiently balanced wastewater
treatment system. Our bacpac™ system provides a
single pass, flow-through process in which balanced
bacterial and algal populations provide treatment
and filtration. The bacterial colonies maintained in
the aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic portions of the
system provide traditional biological treatment. The
algal colonies provide an expanded treatment
potential which makes our system the first to take
advantage of solar energy for water treatment.
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Biological Filtration: |
The process by which unnaturally large
populations of many different types of
bacteria in the system convert organic waste
products and nitrogenous toxins to less
toxic waste products such as nitrates,
phosphate, carbon dioxide, and insoluble
organic compounds. |
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Ecological Filtration: |
The natural process by which balanced
populations of bacteria, algae,
phytoplankton, zooplankton, and other
microorganisms interact with each other
within their specialized physical
environment (Algaewheel) to form an
eco-system that completely cycles and/or
removes waste products in the system while
enriching the water with oxygen, buffering
pH, and balancing water chemistry. |
Simple Yet Advanced
The fractionated foam captures and concentrates
solids on the surface of the water. Ecologically
balanced populations of aerobic bacteria reside in
this environment actively digesting waste components
and solids from the stream. Below the surface and
within the confines of the unique and patented
Algaewheel, balanced colonies of anaerobic bacteria
are aggressively digesting waste. The algae surface
growing on the fins of the Algaewheel™ is constantly
rotated through the foam that acts as a "fertilizer"
for the algae. The result is a 3 phase treatment
process that is unequalled by any other system on
the market.
Solids Removal
Algae grow rapidly, trapping suspended solids and
removing dissolved organic matter to utilize both
types of materials as food. Through photosynthesis,
the organic material is converted to new compounds
by the algae, and oxygen is released. This oxygen
oxidizes sewage solids that cause sludge separation
and compaction. The coagulating effect of algae
filaments and naturally occurring polymers, together
with the effect of oxidation, produces a heavy,
dense algae mass that is easily settled or removed,
yielding a crystal clear effluent.
Nutrient Removal
Current bacteriological treatment plants discharge
nitrates, phosphates, sulfates, etc. into some
natural body of water for dilution and continued
treatment by natural occurring plant and animal
life. It is recognized that such nitrates and
phosphates in sewage water have increasingly become
a problem because they cause a great increase in the
amount of algae in our lakes and streams.
The algaewheel™ system more nearly achieves the
desired function of discharging water with only its
natural mineral elements because it uses the plant
life portion of the cycle of life and death instead
of the death and decay portion.
Nitrates, phosphates and their antecedents are plant
foods, and as such, are assimilated by the algae
through photosynthesis.
Advantages
Algaewheel systems have the following advantages
over the conventional on-site septic systems and
typical activated sludge and extended aeration
treatment systems:
Nitrogen Removal
Conventional septic tanks and activated sludge and
extended aeration treatment systems do not remove
nitrogen - they only convert it to nitrate. The most
common nitrogen removal processes are variations on
the anoxic-aerobic activated sludge configuration
with nitrified mixed liquor recycle to the anoxic
zone (commonly known as MLE systems). However,
additional treatment steps are required for further
reduction of nitrate. The Algaewheel technology
provides a dynamic balance of aerobic, anoxic, and
anaerobic conditions to allow groups of
microorganisms to successfully remove BOD, TSS,
nitrogen and phosphorous all in one step.
Phosphorous Removal
Conventional septic tanks do not remove phosphorous
at all. Conventional treatment facilities require
additional processes for phosphorous removal. These
processes are typically either enhanced biological
phosphorous removal or chemical precipitation. As
with nitrogen, the AW system removes BOD, TSS,
nitrogen and phosphorous all in one step.
Nutrient Uptake Rate
Algae can metabolize sewage far more rapidly than it
can be treated bacteriologically. Treatment is more
complete as well as more rapid, since
bacteriological treatment is a process of decay
whereas algae treatment is one of conversion of
organic matter to live, healthy plant life.
Enhanced Settling and Solids Removal
Conventional septic tanks release suspended solids
to the drainage field if not regularly maintained.
The result is failed valves and improper effluent
distribution. The bacteriological treatment of
sewage requires large quantities of oxygen. In
contrast, algae treatment generates oxygen as a
by-product during photosynthetic phases. The oxygen
released into the sewage by algae contributes
materially to the removal of solids from the sewage.
It has been found that if a small amount of
dissolved oxygen is introduced into settling sewage
the solids settle more quickly and the sludge
coagulates better, coheres better and is freely
drainable and is more easily processed. The "sticky"
algal coating also serves as a natural polymer
increasing solids settling.
Process Flexibility
The AW process can be described as a series of
process steps completed in a single tank. This key
concept is at the heart of the major AW advantage -
one system to achieve complete nutrient removal
(without chemical addition) in a single tank.
Low Capital and Operational Maintenance
Costs
Since separate BOD, nitrogen and phosphorous
treatment components are not needed, and return
sludge recycling is eliminated, capital and
operational maintenance cost are greatly reduced.
Operational Flexibility
The system is easily expandable by simply adding
additional units to the flow path.
Dependability
Conventional septic tanks are sensitive to shock
loads and variable flows. AW units won’t “dry out”
or “die out” and are incredibly resilient to shock
loading. Unlike conventional rotating biological
contactors and activated sludge equipment, AW units
do not require motors and chain driven units for
operation. This significantly reduces problems due
to mechanical failures. |
