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Problem
The operator of a Sewer Utility, faced a growing problem on how to improve efficiency in his plant while dealing with a tightening budget. While hauling costs were a simple fact of life for this small municipal plant, polymer costs seemed quite expensive for the benefit achieved.
Using polymers, a municipal plant operator had to wait 6-7 hours to decant and was pumping once every other month.
Treatment Objectives
1. Eliminate polymer usage
2. Reduce sludge and the corresponding hauling costs
3. Implement a complete natural treatment program to enhance digester efficiency.
4. Improve overall settling
5. Reduce labor costs
The utility decided on an approach utilizing enzymes,bacteria and micronutrients.
Chemistry Used
A program was designed implementing three of GLB’s all natural technologies:
GLB Enzymes: A broad spectrum blend of purified enzymes designed to rapidly speed up the natural biodegradation process. GLB’s enzymes enhance bioactivity by attacking and breaking down organic contaminants found in a municipal waste stream.
GLB Bacteria: A proprietary blend of nonpathogenic naturally occurring microorganisms specifically selected for their advanced sludge digestion capabilities.
GLB Trace Minerals: A complete blend of beneficial micronutrients designed to provide both the naturally occurring and augmented bacteria the necessary vitamin supplement to enhance bioactivity, stabilize pH, reduce ammonia and phosphorous which optimizes the system.
Results
With polymer usage, sludge had to be hauled away every two months. A typical decant took six to seven hours. With the implementation of the complete program from GLB, hauling frequency was reduced to every 3 months.
During the summer of 2006, the operator was able to extend this to four months. The decant became much less labor intensive and with the improved settling, this process took less than two hours.
With a hauling frequency of four times annually and with the elimination of the polymer, the utility saved an estimated 35%. This percentage does not include the additional savings achieved by improved labor efficiencies.
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