Bioaugmentation for Wastewater Treatment
Technical Discussion
Custom Biologicals, located in Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA, manufactures bacteria and biologicals product for wastewater treatment. We specialize in high volume production techniques of bacteria. One of Custom’s most successful products is F-TREAT, which is used as a bioaugmentation product for established wastewater treatment plants, industrial and municipal, or as a unique treatment system for alternative waste water treatment in developing countries.
Established Waste Water Treatment Plants
The problem with some wastewater treatment plants is that they are either over-loaded or they are obsolete before their construction
is completed. Custom microbiologist. Dr. Clarence L. Baugh, analyses wastewater treatment problems by isolating the bacteria working in the treatment plant, not by enlarging the overall capacity of the plant. Wastewater research scientists estimate that 5-10% of the existing bacteria in a sewage treatment plant contribute to the sewage treatment process. The other bacteria compete for the available oxygen and nutrients. Custom specifically selected the bacteria in our product F-TREAT to increase the percentage of these “worker” bacteria within the treatment plant, thereby increasing the overall results from the wastewater treatment plant.
F-TREAT is a live synergistic blend of natural, Class 1 bacteria, specifically chosen for their ability to rapidly degrade solids, fats, lipids, protein, detergents, hydrocarbons, and other compounds. These compounds either overload a treatment plant or are toxic to the wastewater treatment system. F-TREAT is added at between five and fifty parts-per-million and is completely safe to humans, animals, and plants. The addition of bacteria is called bioaugmentation and is a form of bioremediation. F-TREAT is appropriate for all types of domestic treatment plants and has been shown to greatly reduce BOD and suspended solids.
The most striking results have been the reduction of sludge and the rapid reduction of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in the wastewater treatment system. An example: a treatment plant in the country of Ireland had a monthly BOD of 380 milligrams per liter before treatment. The BOD was reduced to 24 milligrams per liter which equals a reduction of 94%. in addition, the amount of oxygen required to run the plant was reduced by 35%. These are considered exceptional results. In addition, F-TREAT has exceptionally good results in wastewater treatment plants that have been negatively affected by “shocking” from industrial areas.
F-TREAT helps to control odor in waste water treatment plants. Odor is produced by bacterial decomposition of organic material, because indigneous bacteria do not completely degrade organic compounds such as proteins, carbohydrates, and starches. Among the chemicals that cause these bad odors are hydrogen sulfide, organic sulfur compounds, organic acids and amines.
The microorganisms is F-TREAT utilize essentially all of the available organic material and oxidize it to carbon dioxide and water. Working on a competitive principle, selected microorganisms are added by bioaugmentation. The indigenous bacteria are so overwhelmed that they cannot successfully compete for available organic material. This greatly restricts their growth and also greatly diminishes the emission of organic compounds that produce the characteristic odor. The small amount of incompletely oxidized organic material that they may produce is quickly utilized by the microorganisms in F-TREAT, further reducing the odor.
In developing countries and rural areas, very simple systems can be designed to compliment the enhanced biological activity of F-TREAT. With bioaugmentation, and very simple physical systems, the quality of wastewater can be greatly enhanced without the overwhelming cost of new treatment plant construction. Previously contaminated rivers and streams can be quickly rejuvenated with F-TREAT. In many cases these natural bodies of water can be converted into effective treatment facilities by continuous bioaugmentation with the F-TREAT waste water treatment system.
Other examples of small wastewater treatment systems can be greatly enhanced with F-TREAT wastewater treatment system are: facultative lagoons, and aerated and aerobic lagoons.
Facultative lagoons are systems that are low-cost and, with F-TREAT, highly efficient alternatives for wastewater treatment, especially in tropical and subtropical climates. When bioaugmentation with the F-TREAT wastewater treatment system, BOD reductions of 95% can be expected for raw screened or primary settled waste waters.
Aerobic or Aerated lagoons can be bioaugmented with F-TREAT. These lagoons can be smaller in size or can accept higher loading. In the past, abnormal operation occurred when the lagoons were overloaded or when a toxic chemical was released into the lagoon. However, the addition of F-TREAT can return the lagoon to proper operation. Also, when bioaugmented with F-TREAT, these lagoons can be used as a post-treatment for facultative and anaerobic lagoons.
F-TREAT can also be used for bioaugmentation during land application of sewage or sludge and can be used for the removal of ammonia and phosphate from wastewater.
Questions about how to use F-TREAT to bioaugment your wastewater? Contact CustomBio at (561) 797-3008 or at Bill@Custombio.biz