Understanding Waste Water Treatment

Understanding Waste Water Treatment

Introduction In both urban and suburban areas, where people are packed closer together and where there is a lot more wastewater to treat, a sewer system that collects wastewater and carries it to a treatment facility is constructed. As with all systems, maintenance is key to keep them operating efficiently. Pro Chem offers a wide variety of digestant products that are the preferred solution for this process. When systems are given the time and attention necessary, these digestants will provide all the benefits that modern science has to offer. While the desired results may take weeks or months to occur, at the end of the day, the results will always be extremely beneficial. The sole purpose of employing a grease trap is to collect and hold grease, preventing it from traveling further down the sewage pipe, into the main sewer lines, and ultimately into the waste water pond. Therefore, maintaining a digestant program for grease traps or lift stations directly improves the water quality that will be coming into the local waste water treatment facility, not to mention the incredible cost reduction that comes from a smoother running grease trap or lift station. This booklet has been put together to help you better understand waste water treatment options.

About Bacterial Digestants Bacterial digestants contain three components and are used to encourage the speed of natural decomposition process that our solid and liquid wastes go through. These three components are: Bacteria Cultures Enzymes Essential Nutrients In nature, bacteria does most of the work to break down waste. There are three types of bacteria: Aerobic- which need dissolved oxygen to survive. These are the type preferred for use in most water treatment plants. Anaerobic- which do not use dissolved oxygen, they get oxygen from other compounds within water. The smell of rotten eggs (hydrogen sulfide) is often a byproduct of their presence. Facultative bacteria- can function with or without dissolved oxygen. Most bacteria are facultative. This process is responsible for the digestion of organic waste, no matter where it occurs. Such as: Grease Traps Kitchen Drains Septic Systems Animal Manure Pits Municipal Sewer Treatment Plants Food Processing Plants Oxidation tanks and other waste disposal systems Organic waste present in any of the above situations is consumed by bacteria, used as nutrients by the bacteria, and once consumed is no longer present to produce and create clogs, sludge, pollution or unsightly smelly mess. Certain good bacteria belonging to the Bacillus species have four very desirable characteristics: They consume a wide variety of organic waste They work quickly, without producing significant odors or noxious gas They do not cause diseases of any kind; hence they are non-pathogenic They grow rapidly and reproduce quickly in conditions found in waste disposal systems Digestants are artificially produced bacteria that will remain in a dominate state until they are activated by rehydration. They thrive best and reproduce fastest when they are: 1. In moderate temperatures between 50 F and 110 F 2. When in a proper ph range between 6 and 9 on the ph scale 3. Are dissolved in sufficient quantities of oxygen (Aerobic) 4. In water mainly containing organic waste. -4-

Enzymes: These are the chemical catalysts that break up complex organic waste into smaller pieces, which can then be digested directly by the available bacteria. Enzymes, unlike bacteria, are not living things, so they can neither grow, nor reproduce such as bacteria does. Enzymes are added to our digestants in order for them to work faster. Think of the enzymes as chemical knives, chopping up large complex molecules of starches, proteins, carbohydrates and cellulose into smaller organic waste bits. All our digestion products contain the following four types of enzymes: 1. Lipase- for breaking down the fats and greases 2. Protease- to breakdown proteins 3. Cellulase- to breakdown cellulose 4. Amylase- to breakdown starches and carbohydrates Essential nutrients: These are added to the mix of our digestants to supply the necessary vitamins and minerals required for the fastest possible growth of the bacteria and their greatest possible activity. How does all of this actually work? When the digestant is rehydrated with warm water, about 100 F, the warm water will reactivate the dried bacteria cultures. (Note: hot water above 180 F will actually kill the bacteria). Liquid digestants work similarly, but are already hydrated. The process is almost the same regardless of whether the organic waste is in a grease pit, floor drain or waste water facility. When used in a programmable manner, all of our digestants speed up the process and will reduce the frequency of build-ups. This results in reduced frequency of grease traps needing to be pumped out. Just like other living organisms, different types of bacteria compete with each other for food and living space. In certain environments, varying bacterial species may be more successful than others, and will eventually become dominant. For example, there may be hundreds of types of bacteria naturally present in a grease pit. As conditions change, natural bacteria may grow faster than the ones that have been artificially introduced in our digestant. Hence, the competing bacteria may dominate and overpower our introduced desirable bacteria. These and other possible variables may drastically and adversely slow the process of digestion. So while all our digestant products offer suggested dosages, sometimes conditions may require increased dosage rates or the addition of supplementary products to boost their effectiveness. Variables are often hard to control, so the exact dosage required may vary. -5-

Grease Trap Maintenance Grease traps are designed to keep fats, oils and grease collectively known as (FOG) from entering the public sewage system. These receptacles are a part of all commercial kitchen facilities such as restaurants, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, universities, etc. When a grease trap fills up with an accumulation of grease, that is proof the trap is doing its job properly. By stopping and holding the grease, the trap has prevented grease from reaching the sewer treatment plant. While this will help the treatment plant operate more effectively, it can be an additional concern and cost, as periodically the grease traps must be pumped out. The more time that can pass between required pump-outs, the lower the cost of operation will be. Maintaining a sensible program of adding digestants to a grease trap, allows the bacteria to become established within the layers of grease that float on top, coating the walls and the baffles in the trap. Once established, the bacteria will continue to live and reproduce being present to digest more grease when required to do so. The easiest way to treat most traps is to add digestants through the closest floor drain. Digestants can be added to any drain that eventually leads to the trap, keeping the lines clean and odor-free at the same time. Using an automatic electric feeding pump is a proven way to maintain most traps. This is so, because it reduces the human error factor. We offer several options. Large commercial kitchen traps can be anywhere from 40 to 80 cubic feet in capacity while, small restaurants will have traps one-half to one-third that size. While a good maintenance program will not eliminate all pump-outs, it will reduce the requirement by half or more, which is a real savings. For best results, begin treatment with Alive Plus immediately after the trap has been pumped out, and use a double dose for the first few weeks. If trap has excessive clogs, use an enzyme product that has added enzyme accelerators such as, Action, to open the drain then proceed with typical digestant treatment. Since grease is difficult to digest, the more bacteria that are introduced, the faster the grease will be broken down into water and carbon dioxide. -6-

Keep in mind that strong chemicals, such as acid drain openers and disinfectants will harm good bacteria, so only add digestants when strong chemicals are not in use and be certain to re-treat the system within 24 hours if strong chemicals are used within the drain system. Alive Plus is the ideal product for use in all normal grease trap applications. For heavy clogged systems we suggest using our product, Action, until the system is operating effectively. Once the system is operating normally return to your regular maintenance schedule of Alive Plus. For automatic application, we suggest using the Pail Stik dispenser # 422901, the Pail Top Injector Pump #428301, or the Programmable Wall Mount Pump #428401. See more details on these automated products on page 15. Pail Stik Dispenser Pail Top Injector Pump Programmable Wall Mount Pump Approximate rate of Alive Plus maintenance dosages for Grease Traps: Less than 100 gallons- 10 ounces per day or 1-5gl pail every 60 days 100 to 250 gallons- 20 ounces per day or 1-5gl pail every 30 days 250 to 500 gallons- 40 ounces per day or 1-5gl pail every 15 days 500 to 700 gallons- 750 to 1000 gallons- 60 to 70 ounces per day or 1-5gl pail every 10 to 15 days 80 to 90 ounces per day or 1-5gl pail every 5 to 7 days Eventually the laboratory-created bacteria can become sluggish or stop working and will need to be revitalized. Adding vitamins and minerals will stimulate and enhance the whole system, improving digestion and efficiency. Using a bacteria booster such as our all-natural Trap Buster eliminates the excessive accumulation of FOG (Fats, Oils, and Greases) between treatments, reducing pumping to a minimum. Approximate rate of Trap Buster dosage for Grease Traps: Trap Capacity Amount of Trap Buster Needed 250 gal. 32 oz. ( 1qt.) per month 500 gal. 64 oz. ( 1/2 gal.) per month 750 gal. 96 oz. (3/4 gal.) per month 1,000 gal. 128 oz. (1 gal.) per month NOTE: All suggested dosage recommendations are only approximations and the actual rate of dosage needs to be adjusted based upon amount of grease, existing clogging issues, and other matters addressed previously. -7-

Lift Stations After waste water leaves a grease trap, it flows through the sewer system into a lift station. Lift Stations operate on a similar concept as grease traps. That is, their function is to assist in the separation of grease and other organic compounds from water before entering into treatment plants. Therefore, lift station treatment programs are very similar to the treatment of grease traps, where good bacteria is added to help in the digestion process. Due to the large size of lift stations, granular digestants are often recommended. We offer two granular options, Bac Paks, a pre-measured water soluble packet that eliminates inaccurate or messy dosing and Consum It, sold in bulk and perfect for larger applications where the application area is easy to access. Another option that is easy to use, yet very effective, is a solid slow-dissolving bacterial block such as our product, Bio Block, it works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is also common to use a floating lift station degreaser used in conjunction with a digestant. This product stays on the top of the surface of the water, keeping the grease from solidifying, attaching to the tank walls, and pipes. However, this floating degreaser does not remove or digest the grease. Rather it simply keeps grease from interfering with the lift station operations. Use of all-natural products will not harm down- stream pipes or plant processes. In addition, using a floating lift station degreaser also provides odor control which we will discuss further in the Odor Control section. Pro Chem offers a few options, 1 citrus based, Odor Blanket, and 2 soy based products, Eco Lift and Cover Up. Occasionally you will have a request for a solvent based floating lift station degreaser. While the concept is the same, providing a barrier that constantly penetrates fat, grease and dirt, removing them from the surface, it is not an all-natural product and will not offer a deodorant to combat odors. Solvent based products also evaporate at a faster rate than our all-natural products. Directions for use of a floating lift station degreaser: 1 gallon per square foot of surface area, a typical 6 foot diameter lift station would then require approximately 28 gallons for an initial application (example calculation: 3.14*(3)² = 28.26 ft² ) and smaller amounts weekly to maintain a layer on top of the water surface. -8- Typical Lift Station

Municipal Sewer Treatment Plants Wastewater continues to flow from the lift station through the system to the Municipal Sewer Treatment Plant. All wastewater plants use bacterial digestant products to speed the treatment process. The raw sewage coming into the plant (called the influent) contains: 1. Water 2. Grit- stones, coffee grounds, sand, cigarette butts, etc. 3. Suspended Solids- particles of organic waste that can be settled out of the water 4. Dissolved Solids- particles of organic waste that are fine and soluble and cannot be settled out of liquid. After screening out as much of the above as possible, the cleaned-up water (effluent) is discharged into the lake, river or simply allowed to trickle down into the ground. All municipal treatment plants are regulated by both state and federal agencies, and the performance of the plant is always measured by testing the treated effluent as it is discharged. The most important measurement of the water quality being discharged is the biological oxygen demand, often referred to as BOD. BOD is an indirect measurement of the amount of organic matter in the water. This test shows how much oxygen is required (demanded) by bacteria if they were to digest all the organic material in the water. BOD is expressed in parts per million or ppm. When the BOD of water is high, that means the water has a lot of organic matter in it; therefore, more bacteria will be in demand to help digest the extra amounts of organic material present. Likewise, a low BOD measurement would show the reverse. The sludge that is separated out of the initial or primary clarifier from the effluent is then pumped to a digester, where it is treated again by bacterial action. The final sludge must eventually be disposed of. Today, much of this sludge is returned to the environment as a fertilizer or soil amendment. Digesters are large tank containers that can be designed for either aerobic or anaerobic operation. The best way to keep a digester from breaking down, and working smoothly, is to add daily or weekly doses of a good digestant. We, at Pro Chem, offer several high quality recommended solutions. Foaming in activated sludge process is a common operational problem in many wastewater treatment plants. The foam can occur in aeration tank, secondary clarifier, as well as in anaerobic digester. Foam in WWTP is normally sticky, viscous and brown in color. It floats and accumulates on top of the tanks, and can take up a large fraction of solids inventory and reactor volume, thus decreasing the effluent quality and control of sludge retention time (SRT). The foam can also overflow onto walkways and surrounding areas, posting severe difficulties and risk to operation and environment. A silicone emulsion anti-foam, like our Defoamer, is used to rapidly eliminate and prevent foam. -9-

Commonly asked questions: 1. WHERE AND HOW SHOULD DIGESTANTS BE ADDED? Granular digestants such as our, Consum It, need to be activated by mixing in a bucket of warm (not hot) water for several minutes. Then poured into system at a point where water flow will disperse it evenly. Preferably, this should be inside the plant or just before it flows out into the pond. For our liquid digestants such as, Alive Plus, mixing is not required. Pro Chem offers a wide range of both granular and liquid digestants. 2. HOW LONG BEFORE RESULTS CAN BE SEEN? Begin the program using double the normal weekly dosage. Continue for up to 8-12 weeks on average. While sewer sludge accumulation may take one or two years to eliminate, once the operator sees significant improvements, it s time to cut back and begin normal weekly dosage. 3. IF THE BACTERIA GROW AND REPRODUCE WHY IS THERE A NEED TO KEEP ADDING MORE DIGESTANTS? Artificially produced bacteria are not as strong as natural ones and can be overpowered. Natural bacteria, however, are less desirable because they work more slowly, produce odors, and can be pathogenic. 4. Is there a way to make bacteria and enzymes stronger and last longer? Natural vitamins and minerals can be added to existing bacteria and enzymes to revitalize dead or sluggish bacteria so digestion and efficiency is increase and maximized. 5. DOES THE BACTERIA WORK IN COLD WEATHER? Digestants work best when the weather is warm and water temperature is between 50 F and 100 F. Cold weather causes them to work more slowly. 6. DO CHEMICALS AFFECT BACTERIAL DIGESTANTS? Most cleaning agents will not seriously affect digestants, but chlorine bleach and other disinfectants, will inhibit the bacteria. Where such damaging products are regularly used, the dosage needs to be increased in order to compensate. 7. WHERE AND HOW SHOULD DIGESTANTS BE ADDED INTO GREASE TRAPS AND HOW MUCH IS RECOMMENDED? In these applications, liquid digestants such as our Alive Plus can be directly added either by hand or by the use of a chemical feeder pump into the closet floor drain. -10-

ODOR CONTROL Industrial and municipal wastewater treatment can generate odors that are strong, persistent, and a nuisance to employees, residents, businesses, and industries located near the wastewater treatment plant. Odors are generated in varying degrees throughout the wastewater treatment process with the main odor-generating areas being pump stations, head works, clarifiers, digesters, aeration basins, lagoons, and sludge handling areas. These foul odors are generally a result of decaying organic matter. As discussed earlier, using a digestant eliminates the source of the odor, but often the natural bacteria that are present in the drain systems are inefficient at digesting organic matter and produce odor through the digestion process. In these cases, additional odor control will be necessary. One option is atomization of an odor neutralizer. Neutron is non-toxic, and chemically alters the structure of the odor at its source by encapsulating and neutralizing the odor rather than masking it with a perfume. This highly concentrated, non-flammable, biodegradable deodorant can be atomized using a Tri-Jet Fogger (See Glossary for product details). Using a floating lift station degreaser will also provide odor control. Floating degreasers stay on the top of the surface and create an odor absorbing barrier. We offer a few different options which include Odor Blanket, Eco Lift, and our new product Cover Up. Odor Blanket is a citrus-based product with a citrus fragrance while Eco Lift and Cover Up are soy based products. Eco Lift has a citrus fragrance and Cover Up a cucumber melon fragrance. Due to the volatile price fluctuation of citrus based products, soy-based products such as our Cover Up and Eco Lift are usually more cost effective. -11-

Glossary Digestant Degreaser Odor Control Drain Decongestant Food Area Safe Liquid Digestants Alive Plus - 2429: Alive Plus is a liquid digestant commonly used to treat and maintain grease traps, drains, and waste water facilities. It has a remarkable ability to withstand intermittent high temperatures (up to 180 F) and high alkalinity of many cleaning products, bleach, disinfectants, and even chlorine that inhibits the performance of most common enzyme treatments. This product utilizes the natural ability of unique bacterial strains to degrade the solid waste that accumulates in grease traps, drain lines, and sewage plants. It is also an excellent odor counteractant, as it continuously digests the source of the odors. Alive Plus is intended for use as a compound in drain lines and/or sewage systems in areas of official establishments operating under the Federal meat, poultry, shell egg grading and egg products inspection programs where there is no possibility of food contact in food processing and food handling establishments. Alive Plus contains 4 strains of the Bacillus bacteria. They are Bacillus circulans, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus subtilis. Action - 2428: Action is a sister product to Alive Plus, but rather than intended for daily maintenance it is designed for clogs or initial applications. Whereas Alive Plus is a blend of enzymes, bacteria and nutrients to resist normal bacteria destroyers, Action is a blend that features a far larger percentage of enzymes. The sole purpose of which is to be better able to break down excessive grease clogs. Once this has happened,and the system begins operating normally, a maintenance program of Alive Plus is recommended. Granular Digestants Bac Paks - 3484: Bac Paks are water-soluble granular packets containing digesting bacteria for effortless bio-remediation of waste water systems. Once they come in contact with water, BAC PAKS immediately dissolve and release bacteria and enzymes in the system. BAC PAKS offer an economical option to inaccurate measuring or messy mixing of bacteria. Each 1 lb. handy packet contains a distinct hybrid of bacteria and enzymes that liquefy and digest complex animal and vegetative oil and greases, proteins, starches, cellulose and sugar into harmless carbon dioxide and water. -12-

Granular Digestants Bio Block - 3423: Bio Block is a solid bacteria-based product that is designed to sit on the bottom of a grease trap or lift station, and dissolve slowly 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. One Bio Block will last up to 30 days, eliminating up to 96% of all grease trap odors. They are easy to use, with no measuring and no waste. Bio Blocks are suitable for all size traps, and lift stations. Consum It - 3402: Is a granular digestant that contains 12 billion active bacteria per ounce. Being granular, the bacteria spores are well suited for extended shelf life. Additives Defoamer - 2412: Defoamer is a highly concentrated silicone emulsion antifoam designed especially for a wide range of industrial, institutional, and municipal applications. The fine silicone particles rapidly eliminate and prevent foam. Defoamer works equally well in all water temperatures. Defoamer is gentle on equipment because of its built-in corrosion inhibitors. Trap Buster - 2416: Trap Buster utilizes Floratec Technology, which is based on the principle of using all-natural vitamins and essential minerals with existing microbes and enzymes in grease traps to revitalize dead or sluggish bacterial systems. Vitamins and minerals are essential because, once the microbes become sluggish or stop working, they need to be re-stimulated to enhance the system so digestion and efficiency can be increased and maximized. The accumulation of FOG (fats, oils, and grease) and food waste build-up reduces the amount of water that can pass through the system. Enough FOG and food waste may block the pipe completely, preventing the water from passing through and causing stagnation. Animal and vegetable-based FOG is more difficult to treat because of its poor solubility in water and its tendency to separate from the liquid solution. This will create odors and attract flies and other pests. Trap Buster will eliminate these problems and reduce pumping to a minimum. Often traps utilizing a program of Trap Buster will not need to be pumped out more than once every 18 months. -13-

Floating Lift Station Degreasers Cover Up - 2417: Cover Up is a bio-based and biogradable odor treatment for use in waste water treatment plants. Cover Up coats the walls and surfaces of the lift stations to remove heavy grease accumulations quickly and safely. The special non-emulsifying formula floats on the surface of the water, so it continues to remove deposits as the water level changes. As Cover Up floats on top of waste water it keeps out the air that carries the odors away from the station, Cover Up s pleasant fragrance also helps to mask any escaped odors. Eco Lift - 2420: Eco Lift is made from 100% natural ingredients such as d-limonene and soybean derivatives that keep lift station surfaces free of grease. Eco Lift coats the walls and surfaces of the lift stations to remove heavy grease accumulations quickly and safely. The special non-emulsifying formula floats on the surface of the water, so it continues to remove deposits as the water level changes. Eco Lift contains a soybean oil derivative, which does not evaporate as fast as other solvents. It will remain on the surface of wastewater longer to penetrate fat, grease and dirt, and then strip them away from the surface. Odor Blanket - 2430: Odor Blanket is a versatile product that can be used as a grease trap and lift station maintainer as well as an energizer to improve the effectiveness of acid drain solvents. Odor Blanket works with sulfuric acid in the removal of blockages in drains, toilets, grease traps, cesspools and septic tanks while blocking the foul sulfuric acid odors from escaping from the drain. Odor Blanket is intended for use as a compound in drain lines and/or sewage systems in areas of official establishments operating under the Federal meat, poultry, shell egg grading and egg products inspection programs where there is no possibility of food contact in food processing and food handling establishments. Scum-Out - 2407: Utilization of Scum-Out eliminates the need for manual breakdown of grease balls, allowing the free flow of sewage. Scum-Out also keeps tank walls clean of grease and scum by floating on the surface of the sewage. As the level of sewage in the tank is raised and lowered, Scum-Out coats the walls, keeping them grease free. It does not mix with the sewage and it inhibits foaming. Scum-Out begins to work immediately on contact and can be used along with enzyme treatment. -14-

Deodorant Neutron - 2410: Neutron is a powerful, yet safe and cost effective, odor neutralizer formulated to combat odor-producing compounds typically found in wastewater and industrial applications. Neutron chemically alters the structure of the odor at the source. It is best dispersed with the use of the Tri-Jet Fogger. Automatic Feeding Systems Pail Stik - 4229: The Pail Stik Dispenser is for use with 5 gallon pails and has an adjustable timer for dispensing into drains and septic tanks. It can be used for 5 or 7 day programs. Its programmable features allow up to 8 chemical dosages daily. This electric-operated pump needs to be installed and used close to an electrical socket. Pail Top Injector Pump - 4283: Using flexible programming capability, the Pail Top Injector Pump can dose drains, cooling towers, boilers, pools, lubrication systems or other areas at the appropriate times. An easily programmed timer, which is housed in a moisture/vapor- resistant enclosure, turns the pump on and off to ensure regular dosing of chemicals. This battery operated pump can be used in any area near the application site. Programmable Wall Mount Pump - 4284: Using flexible programming capability, the Programmable Wall Mount Pump can dose drains, cooling towers, boilers, pools, lubrication systems or other areas at the appropriate times. An easily programmed timer, which is housed in a moisture/vaporresistant enclosure, turns the pump on and off to ensure regular dosing of chemicals. This battery operated pump can be used in any area near the application site. Also available by special order: Tri-Jet Fogger - Non-Stock: F18000/6208-GL: The Tri-Jet Fogger has three counter-rotating vortex nozzles that can atomize either water- or oil-based solutions. A one-turn control knob adjusts particle size and degree of misting, and the power head can be adjusted up or down to the angle required. It can be controlled with a timer or sit on a turntable for uniform application (turntable not included or pictured). The Tri-Jet Fogger is maintenance-free, reliable, durable, can be used indoors or out, and can even run dry without harm. -15-

Pro Chem, Inc. PO Box 1309 Alpharetta, GA 30009 800.241.8180 www.procheminc.com