Each year brings innovations in advanced treatment units — not only brand-new systems but also line extensions, new components and capabilities, new test results verifying treatment performance, and approvals for use in new states and provinces. Here is a look at the latest developments in advanced treatment units.
Remediation system
The aerobic remediation system from Aero-Stream LLC is designed to restore and maintain optimum performance in existing onsite systems. Last year, it received a U.S. patent, and has several pending for incorporating a nitrification/denitrification process. In addition, the suspension mechanism was revised, allowing the unit to be installed through a 2 7/8-inch opening rather than an 8-inch opening. Other improvements included sound output reduction features and a redesigned outlet manifold.
The remediator reverses and maintains biomat permeability to restore full system function within weeks. Installable in any system configuration, media and soil type combination, the unit sustains more than a 95-percent success rate across North America, according to the manufacturer. The unit is UL listed and meets National Electric Code requirements as a permanent outdoor appliance. Installation takes an hour or less using common hand tools. All parts and materials are included in a kit. Call 877/254-7093 or visit www.aero-stream.com.
Sequencing batch biofilter
The Amphidrome system from F.R. Mahony & Associates is a deep-bed sand filter that removes nitrogen, soluble organic matter, and suspended solids using a submerged attached growth bioreactor working in batch mode.
Units operate with a high concentration of viable biomass and without a solids separation process after biological treatment. This results in low hydraulic retention time and smaller volumes to treat. Aerobic and anoxic treatment processes achieve simultaneous oxidation of soluble material, nitrification, and denitrification by using intermittent aeration and recycling wastewater through the reactor. Call 800/791-6132 or visit www. frmahony.com.
New to the United States
A new generation of high-performance, fixed-film aerated bioreactor from Bionest Technologies Inc. has come to U.S. markets. The advanced treatment system has completed NSF Standard 40, BNQ (Canada), and NSF-ETV certification programs.
Canada has more than 6,000 single-family, cluster, and commercial or high-strength installations. The pre-engineered modular system can achieve reclamation- and reuse-quality effluent even in severe weather. The bioreactor offers nitrification and denitrification with disinfection and phosphorus removal options. It is approved in Canada, the Caribbean, Florida, Alabama, Hawaii, Wisconsin and Europe. Call 866/538-5662 or visit www.bionest.us.
Meeting nitrogen standards
Even with high-strength influent, the single-pass Pura-Dn denitrification system from Bord na Mona Environmental Products can achieve total nitrogen (TN) less than 10mg/L without relying on recirculation for a percentage reduction of the influent concentration.
The process uses NSF-listed Puraflo peat fiber biofilters to provide high levels of nitrification, and uses the post anoxic carbon-dosed Pura-Dn system for denitrification. The nontoxic carbon additive is 100-percent natural. The Pura-Dn is designed for single-family and cluster applications where total nitrogen standards must be guaranteed. Call 800/787-2356 or visit www.bnm-us.com.
Composite filter
The Ecoflex packed-bed textile filter from Premier Tech Environment is suitable for single-family homes, commercial properties, and small community projects with domestic wastewater. The system provides stable total nitrogen removal in warm and cold climates and is easy to install, operate and maintain.
The packed-bed filter obtains high performance when treating single-family wastewater. When the unit is combined with a recirculation loop, effluent concentrations in CBOD5, TSS, and fecal coliform meet advanced secondary treatment standards and a stable total nitrogen removal near 60 percent.
For high-strength wastewaters, municipal projects, and residential developments, the unit is preceded by a Bioseg recirculating trickling filter. This compact and efficient combination offers an effluent concentration in CBOD5 and TSS lower than or equal to 5 mg/L. The combination also has good performance for nitrification and fecal coliform reduction. Call 800/632-6356 or visit www.ptenv.com.
Advanced nitrogen reduction
In the NSF/ANSI Standard 245, the Hoot-ANR from Hoot Systems LLC produced results of 6 mg/L total nitrogen, 6 mg/L CBOD5, and 4 mg/L TSS during the six-month performance evaluation. Extended year-long testing, including winter, averaged 7 mg/L TN. These results exceed an 85-percent reduction of TN.
The unit has a built-in water meter and controls that monitor and adjust operating parameters automatically to ensure optimum performance. Units are available through local precasters and were recently approved in Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Call 888/878-4668 or visit www.hootsystems.com.
Impervious to domestic sewage
Enviro-Flo polyethylene tanks from Enviro-Flo Inc. are rotationally molded to produce one-piece, leak-free structures. The NSF-listed tanks resist corrosion, exceed environmental stress cracking levels and recommended wall thickness, and have a horizontal batten around the vertical frames for additional support. The tanks are perma- nently marked with the manufacturer’s name, month and year of manu- facture, and model number. Detailed instructions allow for water-free backfilling in conventional and aerobic systems. Call 877/836-8476 or visit www.enviro-flo.net.
Remote management
The Service Pro control center from Norweco Inc. manages Singulair advanced wastewater treatment systems. Using monitoring, compliance and diagnostic (MCD) technology, the unit operates the treatment plant, monitors system operations, and verifies maintenance. It also monitors three additional components such as an influent or effluent pump chamber, filter maintenance alarm, disinfection system, or recirculation pump. The center records every alarm and service call.
Maintenance technicians can access detailed information describing the performance of the treatment plant and accessories via the Internet. Call 419/668-4471 or visit www.norweco.com.
Nutrient reduction
Orenco Systems Inc. has announced the results of third-party nutrient reduction studies on its AdvanTex AX20 systems. In Pennsylvania, an ongoing technology verification study at eight homes recorded 64-percent total nitrogen reduction (17 mg/L mean) and 95-percent ammonia (NH3) reduction (1.7 mg/L mean).
In Virginia, a two-year approval study at 13 homes found means of 15 mg/L TN and 1.8 mg/L NH3. In New York, the Skaneateles Demonstration Project found mean TN of 14 mg/L, mean NH3 of 0.9 mg/L, and mean total phosphorus (TP) of 10 mg/L on two single-family homes.
In New Zealand, in a 13-month test center trial using municipal effluent, the Rotorua District Council and Environment Bay of Plenty compared the AdvanTex AX20 system with four other systems and found the AX20 had the most consistent results, at 82-percent reduction of TN (to 13 mg/L), 99-percent reduction of NH3 (to 0.3 mg/L), and 33-percent reduction of TP (to 8 mg/L). Call 800/343-9843 or visit www.orenco.com.
Septage processing
The White Knight microbial inoculator/generator by Knight Treatment Systems introduces and cultivates task-specific selected microorganisms through IOS-500 inoculums to enhance biological augmentation of onsite systems and other wastewater treatment processes, such as package plants, aerobic treatment unit retrofits, and community system upgrades.
Originally marketed as a method to recover organically clogged drainfields, the microbial inoculators/generator has evolved into a principal component of Big Fish Environmental LLC, a new turnkey septage processing facility in Michigan. Call 800/560-2454 or visit www.knighttreatmentsystems.com.
Drop-in job ready
Based on Fuji Clean wastewater technology, Fusion treatment systems from Zoeller Pump Co. use anaerobic and aerobic zones, eliminating the need for a preceding septic tank, and produce secondary-quality effluent. Polypropylene filter media are never removed or replaced. Operating features include constant recirculation of treated waste and twice-daily automatic backwash that returns sludge to the head of the system.
A quiet, programmable compressor delivers oxygen to aerobic zones, while consuming the same energy as an 80-watt light bulb. The control panel powers the blower and monitors system airflow and water level. The drop-in system is easy to install and maintain. Models include the ZF-450, ZF-600, and ZF-800 for 3-, 4-, and 5-bedroom homes. All are NSF/ANSI Standard 40 Class 1 systems and are approved by many state and regional health entities. Call 800/928-7867 or visit www.zoeller.com.
Nitrate removal
Nitrex systems from Lombardo Associates achieve total nitrogen reduction to less than 5 mg/L, and average 3 mg/L for individual and cluster or commercial applications. The filter-passive, carbon-fed system eliminates wastewater nitrogen to levels comparable with the most sophisticated centralized wastewater treatment systems.
A unit installed in a 16,000-gpd system at Malibu Creek Plaza Shopping Center in Malibu, Calif., produces effluent for unrestricted water reuse with TN averaging 3.87 mg/L. A 10,000-gpd system in Eastham, Mass., achieves TN less than 3 mg/L. Monthly sampling at a 6,000-gpd system in Mashpee, Mass., shows TN at 3.6 mg/L.
The groundwater nitrogen removal system was field-evaluated by third parties. Nitrate-N at the Massachusetts sites was less than 0.007 mg/L. In Rhode Island, the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite) levels are less than 0.2 mg/L. Call 617-964-2924 or visit www.lombardoassociates.com.
Fast installation
Waterloo Biofilter has a below-ground configuration for its foam-based treatment system. Lightweight tanks come plumbed and ready to install. The disposal pump and float controls in the built-in pump chamber are set for correct doses.
The system achieves tertiary-quality effluent and nitrogen removal with an intermittent pump. Two risers provide easy access. Components are non-corrosive and durable. An anti-flotation option is available for systems up to 800 gpd. The units were tested under US EPA-ETI and NSF-ETV programs. Call 866/366-4329 or visit www.waterloo-biofilter.com.
All-in-one solution
The all-in-one treatment tank from AquaKlear Inc. has received NSF listing. Model AKF5B1 has a 500-gallon septic tank, Model AK500FF fiberglass treatment plant, and 750-gallon fiberglass dosing tank. This configuration has an 8- by 10-foot footprint and shallow design, requiring only an excavator and trencher to install.
Units use an extended activated sludge treatment process. An automatic skimmer in the clarifier removes any floating solids and returns them to the aeration zone every 24 hours to keep the chamber clean. The blower operates continuously, allowing the system to handle shock loads, while fine air diffusion to the aeration chamber maximizes the rebound period. Under normal operation, BOD and TSS are in the single digits. Call 877/936-7711 or visit www.aquaklear.net.
Extended aeration
Ecological Tanks Inc. has added the 600-gpd AA600-50 and 800-gpd AA800-65 with 500- and 650-gallon built-on pretreatment tank to its Aqua Aire line of advanced treatment systems. Monolithic configurations simplify installation and allow for adequate pretreatment. Systems outfitted with linear or rotary vane compressors and controls can be designed for most applications. Units are available through precast distributors. Call 800/277-8179 or visit www.etiaquasafe.com.
Reuse system
Recirculating trickling filter systems from Koi Environmental Inc. allow reuse of treated wastewater. Systems have a primary tank followed by a single insulated trickling filter or two filters in series. Effluent, disinfected with ozone and UV light, is stored in separate tanks, one for flushing toilets; the other for landscape irrigation or disposal.
Effluent has less than 4 mg/L BOD, no detectable TSS or fecal coliforms, and turbidity of less than 0.4 NTU (Nelson Turbidity Units). Systems use a computerized Phonetics supervisory control and data acquisition unit with proprietary operating program. Tertiary treatment units for single homes and facilities up to 200,000 gpd work at altitudes of 7,000 feet and temperatures from minus-10 to higher than 90 degrees F. Call 800/980-9898 or visit www.koienvironmental.com.
