Biotechnologies
Laishevo Town became one of the first testing grounds for adoption of the new technology.
WAVE TECHNOLOGIES
IN BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF WASTEWATER A new biochemical technology that can substantially reduce the cost of wastewater treatment was created and tested in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. 42
January-February 2020 The Chemical Journal
Biotechnologies
Rafinat Yarullin, CEO of PJSC “Tatneftehiminvest-holding” Sergei Uglovskyi, CEO of ООО “NPO Kinematika”
C
hemical p r o d u c t i o n that are available in all big urban centers is a stable and substantial and factories. source of wastewater. Wastewater treatment require- Wastewater sludge ments are being raised yearly Wastewater sludge is an ecosystem comall over the world, as well as in the Rusprised of bacterial colonies, earthworms sian Federation. However, according to the water-mag- and protozoans that play their role in azine.ru journal, around 80% of the waste- wastewater treatment. Biological treatment, meant to remove water treatment plans in Russia – industrial as well as municipal – are aged and organic substances from the wastewater obsolete, can’t manage the workloads, (including nitrogen and phosphorus comdon’t meet the effluent regulatory stan- pounds) was invented in the Great Britain in 1913 and was based on the ability of dards and require modernization. Meanwhile, the cost of modernization some organisms, under certain conditions, of a single plant goes up to hundreds of mil- to use contaminants as a breeding ground. The multitude of micro-organisms lions and billions of roubles. A quintessential part of wastewater that constitute the wastewater sludge of treatment is biological treatment plants the biological treatment plants absorb the
pollutants from the wastewater into their cells, where the pollutant undergoes biochemical changes under the influence of ferments. In this process organic and some types of inorganic pollutants are used by the bacterial cells in two ways: 1. Biological oxidation in the presence of oxygen, producing harmless carbon dioxide and water: Organic Substance + O2 (in the presence of oxygen) CO2 + H2O + Q. The energy produced in this process is used by the cells for vital functions (movement, breathing, reproduction etc.). 2. New cell synthesis (reproduction): Organic substance + N + P + Q (in the presence of ferments) => NEW CELL
Рис. 1. Виды простейших микроорганизмов активного ила.
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Biotechnologies Intensity and depth of these processes depends on the qualitative composition of the wastewater sludge, diversity of forms and types of the micro-organisms, their ability to adapt to the particular composition of the wastewater pollutants, and other circumstances.
Stages of treatment
that survives and functions specifically in these particular treatment plants and that would likely be less effective in other biological treatment facilities.
Information-Wave Method Technology
distorted signal is adjusted to the “norm” or blocked. It’s important to note that in all the cases the initial samples of sludge taken for modification were taken on the same biological treatment facilities where the improved bacteria were consequently released.
The main field of research aimed at improvement of the economic performance Implementations Biological treatment is done in several stages: of biological treatment facilities is devel• Anaerobic stage oping the microorganisms with augmented Information-Method Technology Method • Anoxic stage (denitrification) performance that would be resistant to the was implemented for biological treatment and disposal of wastewater in treatment • Aerobic stage aggressive environments. • Settling in a settling tank “NPO Kinematika” (Republic of Ta- facilities of PJSC “Visokogorskiye kom• Advanced biological treatment with tarstan, Russia), that has for many years munalniye seti” and the biological treatthe use of microorganisms that are been doing research in the field of the ment facilities (BTF) of Laishevo town. The objectives were recycling and disimmobilized on a carrier sludge modification, developed a new posal of industrial and domestic wastewaTechnology shows improved performance: Biological Oxygen ters with high efficiency and conversion Demand In Five Days by a factor of 6, petrochemicals by a factor rate, as well as an estimate of possibility of increasing the workload for the BTF withof 4, nitrates by a factor of 30, muddiness by a factor of 10 out additional investment. • Separation of the water-sludge mix- technology for affecting the microorganWork programme was designed for ture in the final settling tank isms and transferring them into their nat- 12 months. • Dehydration of the sludge sediment ural environment. Restored using the information-wave • Drying of the sludge sediment The research has been done based on technology, the “native” microorganisms The first stage of the treatment is done extensive evidence. were produced in the wastewater in biorein an anaerobic zone, to where the The technology has been tested in sev- actors and then were introduced to the BTF. recirculated water-sludge mix from eral facilities for several years. A substantial During the first stage of the program the sediment part of the intermedi- economic effect has been shown. research on withdrawing the “native” miary and the final settling tanks. The technology uses molecular modifi- croorganisms and restoring their genome Before the wastewater arrives to the bi- cation of the cell (genome) without using was done, which allowed to substantially ological treatment unit, large particulates genetic modifications. raise the microorganisms’ activity. are removed from it using coarse screens The solution raised the microorganisms’ Since May 30th 2019, 3988 kg of culand sand traps. The capacity of the screens ability to adapt and react to the environ- ture liquid was added to the treatment fais determined by the size of the screen mesh. mental exposure to a qualitatively new level cilities of the PJSC “Visokogorskiye KomA part of the particles that pass through the and also substantially raised the reproduc- munalniye Seti” [Транслителировал screen sediments in the sand trap under the tive capacity. название компании – перев.], 1260 kg influence of the centrifugal force of the cirThe technology is based on a compound of culture liquid were added to the Laisheculating water. organic complex created using informa- vo town’s municipal sewage lines’ BTF. In most cases after the sediment with tion-wave method, that acts as a bio-freOn October 25th 2019 active microorhumidity of 80–85% passes through the quencies generator, modulator and ampli- ganisms in the volume of 500 kg were addmechanical dehydration section, it under- fier when it gets into the intercellular space, ed to the “Innopolis” treatment facilities. goes further treatment: composting, disinInformation-Wave Technology allows fecting, thermal processing. After drying, the sediment is used as a fertilizer, conto add the sludge just once: the microorganisms added struction material or an alternative fuel. don’t reduce their activity over time
Native biota During industrial production wastewater is generated from three sources: the industrial wastewater resulting from the production process, sanitary wastewater produced by the staff, atmospheric runoff caused by thawing snow and the rain falling on the industrial site. The industrial wastewater is contaminated with pollutants of mineral, organic and bacterial origin, often has specific impurities, sometimes – harmful poisonous and radioactive substances. Distinctly polluted wastewaters lead to development of a so-called “native” biota 44
which leads to a modification of the enerThe graph of variance at the three obgy-consuming reactions and an “arrange- jects is displayed at the example of the ment” of the biologically active structures. BTF “Visokogorskiye kommunalniye seti” One of the types of biota’s intercellular communications takes place through elec- Technology’s effectiveness tromagnetic signals created by the cell’s external field with wavelengths from 200 Before the introduction of the new technology the treatment facilities with the to 1000 nm. If a cell is damaged, the signals gets in- “native” biota had amassed hardened sediterrupted, which we can see is the case in ments of pollutants. In each of the projects where the new all the industrial biological treatment facilities. This interruption leads to the sludge’s method was used, the modified organisms became stronger than the “parent populadecreased productivity. With the help of the organic com- tion” and the old biota was replaced by the plex created in “NPO Kinematika” the more effective decendants. January-February 2020 The Chemical Journal
Biotechnologies
Aerotank 1
Aerotank 2
before
after
Left to right: aerotanks are being settled by the modified sludge bacteria that are “stronger” than the original “native” bacteria and replace the “parent population”. The new bacteria gradually destroy the sediments accumulated over a long time, and the test-glass becomes perfectly clean
Pic.2 Influence of the Information-Wave Technology on growth and development of the microorganisms of the treatment facilities. Pic.3 Dried residual sludge before and after using the InformationWave technology.
On the left: dried residual sludge. Traditionally, dried residual sludge is pumped out to a sludge field, dried and stockpiled. It is toxic and can’t be buried in soil. The accumulated amounts of the residual sludge are successfully recycled by the modified bacteria, after which the refined residual dispersedresidue (on the right) can be used as a fertilizer. In the process of the bacterial digestion the volume of the residual sludge decreases by 70%. The treatment facilities work quality has been constantly monitored since May 20th 2019 until now.
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2,5 2,4 2,3 2,2 2,1 2,0 1,9 1,8 1,7 1,6 1,5 1,4 1,3 1,2 1,1 1,0 0,9 0,8 0,7 0,6 0,5 0,4 0,3 0,2 0,1 0,0
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215,0
205,0
80,00
70,00
50,00
40,00
Before inoculation
195,0
185,0
175,0
165,0
Before inoculation
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6 months after the inoculation with the modified sludge water become completely clear: muddiness levels came back to norm and exceeded it [sic!].
155,0
145,0
135,0
125,0
115,0
105,0
95,0
85,0
55,0
45,0
35,0
25,0
15,0
NORM
-5,0 5,0
Avant l'ajout
NITRATES
60,00
NORME
30,00
20,00
10,00
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Biotechnologies
Рic. 4. Trends graph over 6 months at the Visokaya Gora village’ BTF.
MUDDINESS 320
300
75,0 120
65,0 100
20 0
Before inoculation
280
260
240
220
200
180
160
140
80
60
40
NORM
mg / l
Four months after treatment facilities were inoculated with the modified bacteria, an exponential nitrate level growth started, which indicates of a completion of the transmutation of the ammonium salts, the traditional pollutant that was accumulated previously. After the destruction of the accumulated sediments is complete, only the new volumes of the ammonium salts will be transformed, and the nitrate levels will go back to the norm.
0,00
mg/l 10–3
Half-a-year cycle after inoculation with modified biota is not sufficient to achieve the normal levels of petrochemicals because during this period the pollution accumulated over several years is being removed. However, over the 6 months of work a substantial decrease in the pollution level was achieved.
NORM
January-February 2020 The Chemical Journal
Biotechnologies
BOD
mg of О2/liter
Biochemical oxygen demand – the major indicator of the BPF – shows how many milligrams of oxygen are necessary and are consumed for oxidation of the organic matter in the water. Zero value of this indicator means that the water does not have the medium that requires oxygen consumption anymore.
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Innopolis city’s BTF. Active sludge plant.
According to the regulatory standard РД 52.24.420-2006, BOD level is determined using the light-and-dark-bottle method. It is extremely expensive and it bears various risks: it requires 20 chemical agents, 28 devices and measuring tools, 21 actions to be performed to take the analysis. In contrast, abroad these tests are completely automated and done using the “barometric method”. The Chinese device (including the thermostat) costs $3500, Italian and German ones cost from $4300 to $5500. “NPO Kinematika” developed a device that is completely analogous to the foreign ones and only costs $450. Aerotank lines 1 and 2 of the BPF “Visokaya Gora”. Wastewater treatment facilities with native biota routinely have solidified pollutant sediments. The “conquest” by the newly introduced modified microorganisms happens gradually as the population grows. For the first 6–7 months the accumulated pollution is eliminated. Aerotank lines A and B of the biological wastewater treatment facilities of the Laishevo town
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Biotechnologies Entering water
Exiting water
As a result of the implementation of the technology in the Laishevo town’s treatment facilities water quality was raised substantially, and the water coming to the river from the treatment facilities was cleaner than the “river’s own” water.
However, new population grows gradually were accomplished. The technology can stringent ecological standards, many and it takes up to 6-7 months for the modi- be scaled and spread for a wide number of plants don’t meet the current requirefied microorganisms to “conquer the terri- factories in similar climatic conditions. ments and require modernization. tory”. During this period the accumulated At one hand, in an attempt to increase City sewers contaminants are completely eliminated. the productivity of the biological treatAfter that, the newly created biogeoment, BTFs install fluidized systems and cenose switches to the new pollutants, Based on the analysis of the collected ev- ones comparable to those, that increase which is reflected on the graph by the big idence, a new technology was developed. the streams of oxygen going to the aeroIt provides a systemic solution to the bic bacteria or increase the exchange in spike of the improved indicators. Research of the bacteria population in problem of the city wastewaters through the anaerobic medium. This type of modhalf a year showed that their properties do The main achievement of the new technology is the drastic not deteriorate; on the contrary, due to addecrease in the cost of building and modernization of biological aptation their metrics keep improving. Result analysis has proved the new techtreatment facilities. nology to be highly effective. Thus, improved results were achieved for these basic the use of microorganisms with a re- ernization requires substantial energy stored genome. expenditures. pollutant types: It is suggested to use compact clusters, At the other hand, in order to substan• Biological oxygen demand by a facfilled with microorganisms, inside the tially decrease the volumes of residue that tor of 6 • Petrochemical levels by a factor of 4, drain shafts at the entrance sections of the exits the BTFs, more and more often manmunicipal sewers. agement chooses heat treatment. • Nitrites by a factor of 30, Such a solution would allow to turn the However, high-temperature pyroly• Muddiness by a factor of 10, • Nitrification and denitrification pro- municipal sewers into a perfect bioreactor. sis furnace is a pretty expensive solution As a result of this method the following that is also associated with ecological cesses accelerated dramatically risks. The new technology solves both of Continued monitoring shows subse- goals are accomplished: • removal of the smell, the problems. quent positive indicator dynamics at the • improved hydraulic control of the It does not require capital or current plants. For the first time, rotifers appeared sewer system, investments but it increases the producin the waterbodies in large numbers. • reduced blockage, tivity of BTFs without their rebuilding, The process of the elimination of the ac• significantly reduced load for the improves the water quality metrics manicumulated sediments is continuing in the treatment facilities, fold and extremely reduces the volumes of treatment facilities. • recycling of the purified water, non-recyclable residue. The major achievement of the technolo• short-term (7–12 months) complete gy is the fact that a repeated introduction of solution to the problem of the mu- New uses the sludge is not required: the active, “nanicipal wastewater problem tive” organisms that are added not only • radical reduction of the expenses on Developers of the “NPO Kinematisave their activity long-term, but continue building and modernization of the ka” are doing research in the fields of improving their metrics, which the authors ore bioleaching of the dumps of the minBTF of the technology attribute to the process ing-and-processing plants, recycling of of adaptation. food industry and agricultural waste into The analyses taken show high tempera- Advantages high-protein forage, cleansing of the petture resistance up to the point of +20°С, of the technology rochemicals-polluted soils, restoring the which means that even in wintertime the Considering the rising loads on biolog- natural fertility, processing the liquid ratreatment facilities will operate effectively. The tasks regarding raising the quality ical treatment facilities of the cities and dioactive waste of the Rosatom factories of the biological treatment of wastewaters factories as well as the increasingly more and in several other fields. 48
January-February 2020 The Chemical Journal