Commercial properties such as restaurants and convenience stores typically require high levels of oxygen to facilitate the breakdown of organics in their waste streams. For businesses that rely on onsite treatment, this often means an additional pretreatment step is warranted. PuraACE from Anua is designed to reduce BOD demand in those situations.

PuraACE is a high-strength waste pretreatment pod filled with open-channel plastic media. The treatment process is based on Submerged Aerated Filter, or SAF, principles and microorganism isolation. Built-in passive alkalinity control helps regulate pH, which is crucial to keeping the “bugs happy,” according to Colin Bishop, Anua CEO.

“Restaurants and convenience stores are high-strength waste-generating facilities,” he says. “Many types of facilities generate waste that is much higher strength than a typical single-family home. The need exists for pretreatment pods that can be used in the various tank configurations.”

Each PuraACE pod is designed to treat 3 to 4 pounds of BOD. The pods are 16 inches in diameter, with variable depths available. They include a 200 L/min air blower, built-in passive alkalinity control, airlift recirculation, automatic backwashing and high-efficiency plastic SAF media. The pods come fully assembled. According to Bishop, one effective application couples a PuraACE pod with a packed bed media filter.

“The symbiotic system works more effectively and efficiently, while ensuring treatment parameters are met,” he says. “For existing systems, PuraACE pods can be easily added to help a system that is organically overloaded.”

According to Bishop, Anua developed the PuraACE based on customer requests. “We needed to solve a problem,” he says. “We continuously get calls for help on commercial systems with high BOD levels. Or people call and ask, ‘How do I fix a high-strength problem?’ High BOD takes more oxygen to consume the available carbon. Also, high ammonia consumes alkalinity during the nitrification process. We were fortunate to have a suitable platform in various heights that was perfect for developing into a treatment vessel.

The feedback has been positive, Bishop says. “Installers like the ease of installation,” he says. “Just remove the riser lid, drop it in the tank and then plumb the air line. It’s that simple.” 336-547-9338; www.anuainternational.com.