Improved Biological Treatment of

Industrial Wastes through Biomass

Enhancement

Professor N. M. Bhatt

Agenda

• Introduction

• Typical Issues and Responses

• A New Technology

• Ecology and Economy

• The Opportunity

• Summary & Close

Anatomy of an ETP

Screening Primary

TreatmentAnaerobic

Treatment Aerobic

Treatment

Sludge

HandlingClarification

Discharge

Typical Issues

• Issue 1: ETP can’t consistently meet norms

• Issue 2: Treatment costs are rising

• Issue 3: Production changes without ETP upgrade:

– Effluent volume increase

– COD load increase

– Effluent characteristics different from initial plan

– Shock loads

• Issue 4: Frequent collapse of the MLSS

Typical Responses & Consequences

• Responses

– Add cow dung

– Increase the role of chemical treatment

– Upgrade the ETP Infrastructure

• Consequences:

– Increased treatment cost

– Increased volume of solids

– Additional land requirements

– Significant CAPEX needs

A Novel Strategy: Enhance the Biology

Enzymatic

Efficiency

Microbial

Population

Density

Organic Load

Removal

Bacterial

O2

Demand

Aeration

Energy

Need

Sludge

Volume

Typical ETP Variable, very

dependent on

the exact

species in the

microbial

population

High Variable,

highly

dependent on

MLSS

High High High

Enhanced

MLSS

Very High Low Rapid

Removal

Low Low Low

Mode of Action

Bacteria secrete exo-enzymes to the

surrounding matrix1

Complex molecules

disassembled by exo-

enzymes2

Simplified molecules absorbed by the bacteria for

energy for life and cell division3

4Bacterial reproduction by cell

division generates MLSS

Improve biological digestion by applying

microbial enzymes manufactured to

enhance the performance of existing

the existing MLSS.

Ecology & Economy at EICL CETP

Umraya, Vadodara

DAY1 DAY 90

Starteddosingenzyme

biotechnologyatAerator1

Ceasedapplyinglimeand

alum

ZeroLime

Sludge

MLSSop mized

atAera onTank

1

Completelystopped

usingchemicalsforpH

adjustmentandse ling

Flowvolume

doubledwithout

incremental

aera on

Achievedstable

nutrientremoval

curves

60 30 45 15 75

SIMPLIFIED

OPERATIONS

ZERO PRIMARY

SLUDGE

AERATION

ENERGY

REDUCTION

NOMORE

CHEMICALS

MLSSop mized

atAera onTank

2

Shi edenzyme

biotechnologydosing

pointtooriginallime

dosingsta on

The Opportunity

• Enhance the capacity of an ETP without

expanding its capital infrastructure

• Simplify or even eliminate primary treatment

• Handle increased COD loads with the same

residence time

• Reduce bio-solid and improve sludge settling

characteristics

• Reduce or eliminate flocculating chemicals

• Reduce energy consumption

Summary & Close

• The IWAzyme™ technology for improving

biological treatment of industrial wastes is highly

relevant for Indian conditions.

• A high-tech product delivered through low-tech

methods, it immediately enhances the existing

biomass of an ETP.

• The improved performance can often be achieved

at lower economic cost.

Improved Biological Treatment of

Industrial Wastes through Biomass

Enhancement

Presented at the 2011 Annual Conference of the

Indian Environmental Association in Ahmedabad on

26th November 2011

Professor N. M. Bhatt