The Traditional Approach I. Wastewater treatment plants are traditionally built in large capacity, centralized concrete stuctures, typically located outside the cities. This is primarily because wastewater treatment is associated with ugly aesthetics and bad odors. 2
The Traditional Approach II. Centralized treatment plants also make water reuse a capital intensive proposition. They require additional new infrastructure (the treated water lines) to be built back to the residential and commercial areas. In countries where water scarcity already makes water reause an imperative and in sustainable development driven areas alternative solutions need to be found. 3
The Alternative Organica is the world leader in Fixed-Bed Biofilm Activated Sludge (FBAS) technology using natural and artificial media to provide a fixed habitat for a diverse fixed-film bacterial culture which metabolizes the contaminants in wastewater. As part of the company s design philosophy, the entire treatment line fits into an attractive greenhouse enclosure structure with the appearance of a botanical garden. 4
Organica Solution Summary Walkway and plant supporting rack Plants on the supporting mesh Root zone (1.5m) as fixed film carrier Activated sludge in suspension Bio-Fiber Media Fine bubble aeration Bacteria and higher organisms live in an attached form on fixed bed media inside the reactors. Providing a stationary habitat allows an incredibly diverse and robust biofilm to grow and thrive, ultimately offering significantly improved nutrient removal, energy efficiency, and resiliency, all in much less space than conventional technologies. Organica plants are designed to enhance the natural processes of complex ecosystems by creating considerably more diverse biology than those already in use in the industry. In addition to the bacteria found in traditional activated sludge systems, Organica treatment plants are populated by over 3,000 species of microbes, aquatic flora and fauna. A series of distinct ecosystems within the reactors contain species ranging from bacteria, protozoa, to plants, snails and other invertebrates, even fish. 5
Organica Solution Summary SERIES OF DISTINCT ENGINEERED ECOSYSTEMS Organica s FCR (Food-Chain Reactor) represents the best-of-breed in FBAS wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The reactors are arranged in a cascade fashion with pretreatment steps in the beginning and final polishing at the end, depending on influent characteristics and effluent use. As water flows from one reactor to the other it passes through different ecologies and in each of these reactors various components of the contaminants are broken down or - to put it another way- utilized as energy (food). Thus the subecosystems provide for enhanced removal efficiency while utilizing less energy and producing less sludge. The complex biology is managed by proprietary process control software which regulates all engineering components necessary to maintain ideal conditions in the system. 6 6
Organica Solution Summary Greenhouse / shading structure Automated process control system Integrated biomodule Concrete reactors Aeration panels Mechanical room The complete wastewater treatment solution from solids removal, biological treatment/nutrient removal, phase separation to final treatment for reuse quality is incorporated inside a single structure. 7
Organica Solution Summary The series of ecosystems are configured and managed using the proprietary software algorithms Organica developed based on 10+ years of operational data. We input influent parameters and effluent requirements, and the software suggests the necessary conditions and ecosystem composition (much like a mix of bacteria, plants, and other organisms), constantly optimizing for lowest energy use, minimum treatment time requirement, and minimalized sludge production. Organica systems are exceptionally robust: in case of a dramatic change in flow rate or influent characteristics the system performs much better due to its diversity. These diverse ecologies are much less prone to collapse than the limited diversity traditional systems. Throughout the development of the solution special attention has been given to the integration of these facilities into the urban landscape. The result is a botanical garden like structure enclosed in a greenhouse which has no resemblance to traditional WWTPS. Instead, when you see an Organica WWTP it conjures up images of water gardens and nature, fusing harmoniously into the urban landscape. 8
Organica Solution Summary On top of the reactor are the plant racks. The plant roots reach into the water and are supplemented with an artificial root zone: the Bio-Fiber Media. The two together form a habitat for the large variety of organisms which consume the contaminants in the wastestream. 9
Organica Solution Summary Locally available plant species are utilised in each treatment plant. 10
Intelligent Process Design Organica process design is based on dynamic mathematical modeling which results in very efficient design solutions. Intelligent process control allows for very flexible and highly automated low-cost operation. The facilities are designed for trouble-free maintenance and manageability. 11
Greenhouse Enclosure In temperate climates, the plants are enclosed by prefabricated greenhouse structures to provide the minimum 6-8 o C during the winter months. 12
Controlled Environment Greenhouses also come with all kinds of features that are part of the package, including automated energy curtains, thermostat controlled ventilation system, wind speedometer connected to the closing mechanism of the windows, etc. 13
Applications: Municipal and Urban The botanical garden-like setting and odorless solution allow Organica plants to seamlessly integrate into the urban landscape. In this example in Shenzhen, China, the Organica plant treats the wastestream from the surrounding residential buildings. 14
Applications: Municipal and Urban With office buildings and restaurants across the street, this example illustrates how Organica plants change our perception of wastewater treatment and eliminate the psychological and physical barriers normally associated with wastewater treatment. 15
Applications: Municipal and Urban Replacing and old, traditional treatment plant, the construction of this Organica plant allowed the buffer zone around the site to be reduced from 300m to 50m. The additional buildable land provided new real estate development opportunities in this high property value suburb of Budapest. 16
Applications: Industrial Waste Streams The technology is an appropriate solution for any biodegradable waste stream, such as in food and beverage, pulp and paper and biopharmaceutical industries. Due to its efficiency and small footprint it is a logical solution for onsite water recycling on any industrial campus. 17
Applications: Reuse The quality of the treated water meets even the most stringent regulations for water reuse. In addition, small footprint and signature aesthetics allow flexible placement near the source of wastewater. 18
Applications: Retrofit In developed countries, much of the water infrastructure is aging or operates beyond their capacity, while others are failing to meet increasingly strict regulations. Organica can transform deteriorating, obsolete wastewater treatment plants to accommodate additional demand without replacing the existing facility by increasing the treatment capacity and efficiency while using less space. 80,000m 3 /d (21 MGD) capacity WWTP treating a significant portion of Budapest s population has reached its hydraulic capacity. Phase I. covering all reactors with the Organica solution, that includes biological intensification and erection of greenhouses. Ongoing construction to be finished in early 2012. 19
Applications: Retrofit The rendering shows the 80,000m 3 /day (21MGD) plant after the completion of the technological intensification and reconstruction. Capacity expected to be increased by more than 30 % without expanding footprint, while water quality issues and an odor nuisance for the surrounding neighborhood. The design includes a visitor center (on the right hand side) to accommodate educational functions. 20
Applications: Wide Capacity Range The modular nature of the technology greatly simplifies the design of various capacity plants from serving a few thousand people up to a million or more without compromising the exceptional water quality, economics and other benefits. If water reuse is included in the project, then much smaller capacity sizes become competative as well. 21
Technology Comparison CAPEX* (50 MLD plant) 140% 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% * based on data from recent tenders in India without land value 22
Technology Comparison OPEX (50 MLD plant) 140% 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% * based on data from recent tenders in India Organica plants use less energy; produce less sludge and thanks to the high level of automation can be operated by fewer staff. These factors all contribute to low-cost operation with significant savings. 23
Technology Comparison Energy 140% 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% High rate attached growth and very low TSS in the reactors result in significant energy savings * based on data from recent tenders in India, in kwh/m 3 treated water 24
Technology Comparison Sludge 140% 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% * based on data from recent tenders in India, in kg of excess sludge produced for each kg of BOD removed Sludge handling is the second highest operational cost for a WWTP. Thanks to the complex ecosystem, sludge production in Organica plants range from significantly lower to comparable, depending on the specific waste stream and the corresponding technical configuration. 25
Smaller Footprint Highly intensified biology and innovative architectural designs make the footprint of Organica facilities up to 75% smaller than conventional activated sludge plants. Everything from pretreatment through phase separation to sludge handling is incorporated into a single compact structure. With land values in urban areas ever increasing, the small footprint and can help drive down capital costs significantly. 26
Typical Treatment Range INFLUENT EFFLUENT Influent (mg/l) Effluent (mg/l) COD 1250 <45 BOD 650 <10 TSS 250 <10 TN 110 <10 Kjeldahl N 110 <3 NH4N 90 <0.5 TP 25 <0.5 Organica treatment plants can clean wastewater up to the highest standards complying with the strictest effluent regulations. This table shows typical influent and effluent parameters for the treatment plants. Should requirements be different, they can be easily met by incorporating additional treatment steps or appropriately sizing the facility. 27
Select projects: Shenzhen, China This reference is a 400 m 3 /day municipal wastewater treatment plant, serving a population of 1700 people daily. 28
Select projects: Foxconn, Shenzhen Serving as another example for an Organica treatment plant located in the middle of a booming city, the wastewater of this neighbourhood is treated close to its source making water management more cost effective and sustainable. 29
Select projects: Le Lude, France Interior of the Organica treatment plant in the city of LeLude, France after its handover in 2010. 30
Gencay, France Construction of an Organica wastewater treatment plant nearby the fortress of the historical city of Gencay, France in 2011. 31
Select projects: Etyek, Hungary Interior of the 1200 m 3 /d capacity operating Organica plant in the famous wine region of Hungary, Etyek, serving one of the largest european film studios as well. 32
Select projects: Telki, Hungary Organica treatment plant serving an affluent suburb of Budapest, Hungary, operating in the midst of a residential area. 33
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