the first can/bnq certified technology applicable to
TRANSCRIPT
The First CAN/BNQ Certified Technology
Applicable to Residential Dwellings
Graham Tabaczuk
Regional Supervisor
Western Canada
Content The phenomenon of blue-green algae
What contributes to their proliferation
The impact of untreated wastewater
How to remedy the situation?
Existing technological limitations
The Electro-Coagulation (EC) approach
System description
Regulatory context
Systems tested and certified
Summary of the CAN/BNQ standard
Certification results
Typical installations
System maintenance
Q&A period
The Phenomenon of Blue-Green Algae
The presence of blue-green algae into fresh bodies of
water is a natural phenomenon and has occurred
throughout history.
These microscopic organisms have lived in our lakes
and water courses for over 2 billion years.
However, modern life habits have greatly influenced
the now alarming proliferation of blue-green algae, and
today, several municipalities in Canada, USA and
around the world are faced with this problem.
What Contributes to their Proliferation
Phosphorus release in a lake (and its watershed) is responsible for
the phenomenon linked to blue-green algae proliferation.
Human activity is largely responsible for increased levels of P found
in lakes and watercourses.
A single residence is not enough to induce cyanobacteria in a lake – it
is a cumulative effect.
What Contributes to their Proliferation
Densification of lakeshore residential developments
Lawn fertilizers used on shoreline properties
Erosion and destruction of banks and wetlands
Intensive use of fertilizers by the farming industry
Badly managed or located stock feeding operations
Water runoff
Overflow of municipal works
Climate changes and the depletion of the ozone layer – intensification of
UVA and UVB rays and increased temperatures of water bodies
The Impact of Untreated Wastewater An average family (2 to 3 people) generates 6 to 9 grams of P
per day, simply from human dejections.
Phosphorus present in wastewater, combined with other
elements (intensification of UV rays and increase of
temperatures of water bodies), contributes to algae
proliferation.
A septic tank does not retain phosphorus. Despite being
pumped on a regular basis, there is release of P.
Environmental, Social and Economic Impacts
of Blue-Green Algae
Affects the vitality and usage of our water bodies
Renders the water unsuitable for human consumption
Depreciates the value of shoreline properties leading
to a decrease in revenues for municipalities
Jeopardizes precious drinking water supplies
The Impact on Wild Life
Algae requires a great amount of oxygen to proliferate.
Oxygen available to other forms of life becomes
limited, leading lakes and watercourses to deteriorate
and the Ecosystem to become stressed.
How to Remedy to the Situation?
The only way to protect our water bodies from
cyanobacteria is to remove phosphorus at its
source.
Promote the installation of phosphorus removal technology for
onsite installations for both new constructions and upgrades
Better regulate the use of chemical fertilizers
Implement waterfront protection and erosion control measures
Existing Technological Limitations
None or few phosphorus removal technologies are
applicable to onsite wastewater treatment –
technologically, operationally or economically.
Most technologies available require the handling and
storage of chemicals – unrealistic for residential
applications.
Attaining phosphorus concentration of ≤ 0.8 mg/L while
respecting a pH level between 5.5 and 9.5 is difficult.
Existing technologies based on « slags » or any material
high in calcium generate effluents with pH levels between
9 and 12.
Targeted advantages
Must be easy to operate
No stocking of chemical products
None or few impacts on pH
Targeted discharge objectives
P total ≤ 0.8 mg/L and pH < 8
After reviewing different strategies to achieve phosphorus
removal, a solution using electro-coagulation (EC) was
tested.
The Search for an Onsite Solution
The Electro-Coagulation (EC) Principle
40 V DC Source
Principle of EC: low intensity alternative electric current
applied between 2 submerged electrodes
PO4-3 is removed from wastewater by allowing it to
react with Al+3 cation, which will precipitate under the
form of AlPO4.
Sludge
System Description
Phosphorus removal unit using electro-coagulation (EC) (Patent pending in Canada, United States and Europe)
Unit treating up to 2,200 L/d
Unit volume of 2,000 liters – half a typical septic tank
Class 4 Sewage Disposal
Systems or Treatment Units
TSS: 30-40 mg/L
BOD5: 50-60 mg/L
Ptot: < 0.8 mg/L
Aluminum Electrodes
New
Spent
Primary Reactor
Sludge
Flow
Regulator
Septic tank must be oversized
Three main functions
90L/hour
Electro-Coagulation (EC) Unit
Aluminum Electrodes
Electrodes
Electrodes
Geogrid cages containing self-cleaning media
Connection to the mixing pump
Size: 36 X 48 cm
Thickness: 36 mm
Electro-Coagulation (EC) Unit
Self-Cleaning Process
Patented self-cleaning process
Mixing pump
Aluminum Electrodes
New
Spent
Electro-Coagulation (EC) Unit
Lamellar Separator
Sludge
Lamellar
separator
Electrodes
Separating wall Sludge pump under the lamellar
(Self-cleaning)
Lamellar
separator
EC Unit – Residential Applications
Lamellar
separator
Electrodes
Alarm float
Outlet
Sludge
return pipe
Mixing pump pipes Separating
wall
Collecting pipe
Electric Current Generator
and Control Panel Constant intensity (10 Amp)
variable voltage (10 to 40 V)
Reverse current
Operates only when incoming
wastewater is detected (current to
electrodes and mixing pump)
Elapsed time meter
Alarm indicates the approaching
end of life of the electrodes
Activates daily sludge pump-outs
Easy to operate – does not require any specific
intervention
No stocking or handling of chemical products
None or limited impact on pH
Continuous self-cleaning of the electrodes (preventing
passivation/coating)
Separation of the flocs (solids) by lamellar decantation
Operates only when incoming wastewater is detected
System Characteristics
Currently Under Certification
CAN/BNQ Certified System
Treatment
classes
Basic level (B)*
TSS CBOD5
B-I 100 150
B-II 30 25
B-III 15 15
B-IV 10 10
* In mg/L
Treatment classes
Treatment
classes
Disinfection
(D)
UFC/100 mL
Phosphorous
(P)
mg/L
Nitrogen
(N)
FC or E. Coli* P total N total
D-I 50,000
D-II 200
D-III ND (median < 10)
P-I 1.0
P-II 0.3
N-I 50%
N-II 75%
Summary of the CAN/BNQ Standard
DpEC Self-Cleaning Phosphorus
Removal Unit
Summary of the CAN/BNQ Standard
12 months to validate the system performance
year-round (4 seasons)
Plant hardiness – zone 3 or 4
2 periods of 6 months
(Annex A and Annex B)
Raw sewage temperature
(3 options)
• Uncontrolled
• Minimum of 10 °C
• Minimum of 16 °C (homes)
BNQ testing platform in Lac St-Charles/Québec
Same testing conditions as NSF Standard 40
26 weeks with
• 18.5 weeks at Q design
• 7.5 weeks with stress conditions
Flow regime at Q design:
• 35% of Q from 6 AM to 9 AM
• 25% of Q from 11 AM to 2 PM
• 40% of Q from 5 PM to 8 PM
Annex A (first 6 months)
Summary of the CAN/BNQ Standard
Annex A (first 6 months)
Flow regime 7 days/week
Sampling days 5 days/week
4 stress periods
• Stress « laundry day »: 1 week (3 days)
• Stress « working parents »: 1 week
• Stress « power outage »: 2 days
• Stress « vacation »: 8 days
Each of the stress test period is separated by a week
under normal operating conditions.
Summary of the CAN/BNQ Standard
Annex A (first 6 months)
Performance evaluation criteria
30 days mean: 6 must meet compliance criteria for which the
technology is tested.
7 days mean: 26 must meet 1.5 times the compliance criteria
for which the technology is tested.
Annex B (second 6 months)
Minimum of 30 sampling days during this 6-month period.
1 sampling day/week except during the 13th and 26th week
during which sampling is performed on 3 consecutive days.
Summary of the CAN/BNQ Standard
Annex B (second 6 months)
Flow regime: Only working parents
DAY TIME PERIOD Daily flow capacity
Monday to
Friday
6 AM – 9 AM 40% daily flow
5 PM – 8 PM 60% daily flow
Saturday &
Sunday
6 AM – 9 AM 35% daily flow
11 AM – 2 PM 25% daily flow
5 PM – 8 PM 40% daily flow 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
heure
% d
u v
olu
me
qu
oti
die
n/h
eu
re BNQ dosage régulier
BNQ "Parents au travail"
Summary of the CAN/BNQ Standard
% o
f th
e d
ail
y/h
ou
rly v
olu
me
Regular BNQ dosing
BNQ Working parents
hour
1 ECE: Electro-coagulation Unit Effluent
CAN/BNQ results: Primary Reactor + EC Unit
Certification Results
Parameters IPR ECE1 Removal
TSS (mg/L) 231 ± 65 33 ± 23 86%
CBOD5 (mg/L) 188 ± 63 53 ± 23 72%
P total (mg/L) 5.1 ± 1.7 0.4 ± 0.4 92%
FC (log) 6.4
(2,272,815)
4.8
(62,773) 1.6
pH 8.0 8.2 na
n 159 159 na
Parameters IPR BFE1 Removal
TSS (mg/L) 231 ± 65 2 ± 2 99.5%
CBOD5 (mg/L) 188 ± 63 2 ± 0.1 98.6%
P total (mg/L) 5.1 ± 1.7 0.1 ± 0.1 99%
FC (log) 6.4
(2,272,815)
2.3
(224) 4.1
pH 8.0 7.5 na
n 159 159 na
1 BFE : Ecoflo Biofilter Effluent
CAN/BNQ results: Primary + EC Unit + Ecoflo Biofilter
Certification Results
Parameters IPR BFE1 Removal
TSS (mg/L) 231 ± 65 2 ± 2 99.5%
CBOD5 (mg/L) 188 ± 63 2 ± 0.1 98.6%
P total (mg/L) 5.1 ± 1.7 0.1 ± 0.1 99%
FC (log) 6.4
(2,272,815)
<0.3
(<2) > 6
pH 8.0 7.5 na
n 159 159 na
1 BFE : Ecoflo Biofilter Effluent
CAN/BNQ results: Primary Reactor + EC Unit
+ Ecoflo Biofilter + DiUV Self-Cleaning
Certification Results
Parameters IPR SFE1 Removal
TSS (mg/L) 252 ± 64 1 ± 1 99.6%
CBOD5 (mg/L) 221 ± 59 2 ± 1 99.1%
P total (mg/L) 6.3 ± 1.7 0.04 ± 0.02 99.4%
FC (log) 6.4
(1,670,203)
1.7
(47) 4.7
pH 7.9 7.4 na
n 153 153 na
CAN/BNQ results: Primary Reactor + EC Unit + Sand Filter
with a HLR of 75 L/m2*d
Certification Results
1 SFE : Sand Filter Effluent
Achievements
Highly efficient
Protects and improves the water quality of lakes and watercourses
– no impact on the pH.
True Plug In Plug Out
Fully prefabricated unit allows for quick and high-quality
installations.
Positive and long-term environmental impact
Facilitates development on lakes at capacity, remediates failing
systems and upgrades septic installations.
DpEC Self-Cleaning
Typical Installations
DpEC Self-Cleaning + Ecoflo + UV
DpEC Self-Cleaning + Sand Filter
Commercial & Communal applications
Recently Scaled to a Commercial Application
8000 L/d
Four pairs of electrodes
Aluminum electrodes
Geogrid cages containing self-cleaning media
Mixing pump
Recently Scaled to a Commercial Application
Energy Consumption
Monthly energy consumption: $35/month (for
the DpEC unit) – similar to a small swimming
pool filter pump of 700W in function for 12h/day
Electrodes lifespan: 3,690 h
Replacement of the electrodes: $0.23/h – app.
$55-70/month depending on water usage
DpEC Self-Cleaning Phosphorus Removal Unit
1 visit per year
Inspection of all internal components and
tanks
Flow regulator (clean and adjust if required)
Efficiency of self-cleaning system and Aluminium
plates basket
Lamellar decanter - Collection pipe leveling
Alarms and operating time
Replacement of the electrodes (if required)
Sampling and analysis of treated effluent
(when applicable)
Recommended Inspection Schedule
Available documentation
Installation Guide
Owner’s Manual
Promotional brochure and more
Visit PREMIERTECHAQUA.COM and
register to PTzone
Q&A Period