Municipal wastewater operators are faced with multiple challenges, juxtaposed between regulatory compliance, adequate carrying capacities and operating costs. Each of these areas can be favourably impacted by the use of organic catalysts. The cost/benefit correlation of using organic catalysts versus other alternatives can be quite compelling.
Regulatory compliance: Increased regulatory discharge levels require operators to evaluate the most cost effective approach to achieving maximum reduction in discharges. Organic catalysts help by addressing bio-processing optimization of existing facilities and therefore are exceptionally cost effective.
System capacity: Total bio-processing loading can be improved through use of organic catalyst in certain key areas. Sewer systems can be both alleviated of chronic FOG congestion and deployed as "pretreatment" components where higher aerobic microbiological conditions are created to reduce the total organic load to plant.
Operating costs: Numerous elements of system costs can be lowered through use of organic catalysts. Studies show that aeration requirements, along with bio-solids processing costs, can be reduced by approx. one third. Many chronic maintenance procedures can be eliminated and personnel deployment savings, along with the worker health risks and public complaints, which are tied to these problems.
Case Study – Herten-Westerholt WWTP, Germany:
- Six MLD, residential/industrial wastewater
- Activated sludge with anaerobic sludge digester
- Five week trial
- 5ppm bio-catalyst (reduced to 2.8 ppm)
- 40% reduction in sludge
- Maintained methane production