BioCord’s low-energy compressors beat blowers for efficiency and cost
DATE POSTED: September 30, 2019
Aeration is costly, so when we designed Bishop BioCord reactors, we focused on achieving a high level of nutrient reduction using the least possible amount of energy.
Instead of using blowers and coarse bubble aeration for BioCord Reactors, we perfected an aeration system that uses fine bubble diffusers and low-energy compressors.
Then we tested it and found that the compressor/fine bubble aeration system can achieve similar levels of dissolved oxygen in the reactor tank to blowers, even though it delivers almost 50% less air. Not only does that translate to lower initial capital costs (compressors cost less than blowers) but it also contributes to major operational savings in energy costs and maintenance.
Research project proves results
Last year, we conducted a research project with Dr. Martha Dagnew of Western University to demonstrate the high oxygen transfer capability of the integrated fine-bubble aeration system in BioCord reactors.
We ran two nearly identical BioCord Reactor systems at the Greenway WWTP in London, Ontario. The only difference was that one was equipped with a compressor and fine-bubble aeration system with maximum air flow capability of 50 LPM. The other was equipped with a blower and coarse-bubble aeration system, capable of maximum airflow of 90 LPM.
The systems ran over a period of about five months using wastewater that was fed from the plant’s primary effluent.
Our results showed that the compressor system was capable of reducing influent ammonia concentrations and COD to the same level as the blower system, despite delivering about 45% less air.
Read the full research paper here.
Learn more about BioCord Reactors for wastewater treatment.
Contact us to discuss a BioCord Reactor system for your treatment plant.
OctoAir microbubble diffuser ends high manganese in drinking water for Alberta community
DATE POSTED:
Low-energy system enables high oxygen transfer to quickly reduce manganese concentration
- Problem: High manganese causing taste, odour, and colour issues in municipal drinking water
- Location: MD Opportunity #17, AB
- Solution: Canadianpond OctoAir™ diffuser
- Results: Manganese levels reduced in raw water –> from 0.8 mg/L to ~0.27 – 0.4 mg/L.
The problem: High manganese was causing year-round taste and odour issues in tap water
High manganese is a common seasonal occurrence for the Municipal District of Opportunity #17 in northern Alberta, which draws its water from the South Wabasca Lake. For years operators at the Desmarais Water Treatment Plant, had been able to successfully control manganese in finished water using potassium permanganate and a blower-powered conventional aeration system.
But during the summer of 2014, the manganese level rose significantly. Chemical treatment along with microfiltration membrane treatment was unable to achieve the desired level of manganese in finished water. As a result, finished water during the summer months would be distributed with an average manganese concentration of 0.2 mg/L, which would react with the chlorine disinfection and cause the water to change to a muddy brown colour. Though the water was still safe to drink, residents began to notice unpleasant taste, odour and colour issues with the tap water, prompting many concerns and complaints to the water utility.
The solution: Micro bubbles from OctoAir solves the problem within a few days
In July 2018, plant operators installed the Canadian Pond OctoAir™ diffuser into the storage pond that supplies raw water to the treatment plant. The process was simple—operators just connected an air line from a compressor to the OctoAir and lowered the unit into the desired location. There was no impact to the plant operation and the installation was completed in about four hours.
Rather than using an energy-intensive blower, OctoAir relies on a small 120V, 3/4 HP compressor that uses a fraction of the electricity, but dramatically outperforms conventional aerators. Unlike conventional coarse-bubble aeration systems, OctoAir produces abundant micro bubbles that provide mixing and high oxygen transfer to the raw water. This high level of dissolved oxygen in raw water causes oxidation and precipitation of the dissolved manganese.
The results:
“We noticed a big drop in manganese within two or three days of starting the OctoAir diffuser,” said Earl Gullion, Utilities Manager for MD Opportunity #17. “We experience the highest manganese concentration in the summer, when it can reach 0.8mg/L in raw water. But once we started the OctoAir, manganese in raw water dropped significantly and consistently remains in a range of about 0.4 to 0.27 mg/L.”
The drop in manganese enabled operators to optimise potassium permanganate dosage and membrane filtration to reduce manganese concentration in finished water from an average of 0.2 mg/L to only 0.01 mg/L—eliminating taste, odour and colour problems for residents.
“The OctoAir diffuser requires no maintenance,” Gullion said. “We haven’t touched it since we installed it, but it continues to function well and helps provide a consistent reduction of manganese in our drinking water.”
The plant also experienced numerous other benefits that have improved water quality and helped reduce operating costs including:
- A 55% reduction in potassium permanganate use as the dose dropped from 1.8 mg/L to just 0.82 mg/L
- The cleaning interval for the membrane system was extended by two to three times
- Turbidity in finished water has dropped from about 0.03 NTU to 0.001 NTU
- Operational savings enabled the community to recover the cost of the OctoAir diffuser in less than a year
Contact us to learn more about the Canadian Pond OctoAir diffusers for aeration and manganese control.
In western Canada contact Don Burgess, DWG Process Supply
OctoAir™ is a trademark of Canadianpond.ca
Happy Holidays from the team at Bishop Water Technologies
DATE POSTED: December 17, 2018
On behalf of the team at Bishop Water Technologies, we’d like to wish you all the best this holiday season.
We’re thankful for the support that we’ve received from you – our partners and clients – over the last year.
As the new year approaches, we’re looking forward to working with you and building on our successes.
To celebrate the new year, let’s look back and review some of our top stories from 2018:
Stormwater sediment repurposed as landscape material
Bishop Water’s solids management solution has allowed an Ottawa community to more simply and reliably remove its stormwater sediment. Consolidating the solids into geotextile bags furthermore eliminates the need to transport dredged sediment to a disposal site. As a result, hauling costs were also significantly reduced. The onsite reuse of stormwater sediment also complies with the MECP’s best management practices for excess soil management.
Click here to read the full story.
Polymer injection system simplifies mixing, maximizes dewatering
Because of inefficient mixing and equipment maintenance, chemical costs can play a significant role in sludge handling. To help reduce these costs, Bishop Water Technologies offers a specialized polymer dosing system. The Venturi Emulsified Polymer Activation System (VEPAS) is designed to fully activate liquid polymer emulsions in a single pass, without the use of mechanical agitation or mix tanks. As a result, polymer mixing and handling are dramatically simplified, allowing for hassle-free dewatering.
Click here to read the full story.
Research study aims to validate BioCord™ Reactor system for high-strength ammonia treatment
Many industrial producers fa
ce potentially hefty sewer surcharges for discharging of high-strength ammonia wastewater. For that reason, Bishop Water conducted a research study to validate the ability of the BioCord™ Reactor system to effectively remove ammonia in high-strength wastewater applications. By testing its ability to treat concentrations of ammonia up to 1000 mg/L, the study explores a potentially low-maintenance solution for industrial users. In contrast to existing technologies, the BioCord™ Reactor can be an effective, low-cost, and customizable way to treat high-strength ammonia wastewater.
Click here to read the full story.
Taking steps towards BioCord’s commercialization
DATE POSTED: November 27, 2018
Bishop Water’s path towards commercialization for its BioCord Reactor system
Since 2015, Bishop Water has received significant support through the Southern Ontario Water Consortium’s (SOWC) Advancing Water Technologies Program (AWT) to fast-track the development of the company’s BioCord™ Reactor system. As a result, the BioCord Reactor has made significant strides on its journey to commercialization and market recognition.
“We’ve received funding from SOWC to undertake a real-world demonstration that showcases the benefits of the BioCord Reactor system,” says Kevin Bossy, CEO of Bishop Water Technologies. “SOWC is also providing support for a project at Western University to help optimize the design of our solution. Because of the support that we’ve received, we’re able to hire new staff for project management, research, and sales.”
A BioCord Reactor system is a low-energy, self-sufficient biological treatment system. As a result, it can extend the life of aging treatment lagoons and help growing communities avoid the need for a costly mechanical plant. The BioCord reactor is a custom-built condominium for bacteria: it provides the optimum conditions for preferred microorganisms to grow, enabling up to 30% more treatment capacity and year-round ammonia removal.
“Many rural communities need to meet tougher, more stringent regulations to build larger wastewater treatment plants,” Bossy says. “This is challenging when municipalities are dealing with a decline in users or don’t have growth within their communities. Our BioCord Reactors system enables these communities to meet the regulations affordably within their budgets.”
Watch this video recently featured by SOWC to learn more about Bishop Water’s BioCord Reactor system.
Learn more about using Bishop Water’s solids management solution at a WTP.
Contact us to discuss dewatering options for your WTP.
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