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What is ACCELOBAC®
ACCELOBAC® is a proprietary culture blend of
selected, naturally-occurring microbial strains which have been trained to produce high
concentrations of digestive enzymes when introduced into a suitable waste environment.
Using the latest advances in fermentation technology, a total product has been produced
from several individual components. No amount is sold before it passes through a rigid
quality assurance program to ensure that each biological activity meets the minimum
guarantee. Specifications and assay methods are available on request.
Summary
- Sludge handling is the number one problem in waste treatment.
- The purpose of a waste treatment plant is to provide a favorable environment for
digestion.
- The physical parts of a plant help enable digestion, but actual digestion is
accomplished by enzymes produced mainly by bacteria.
- An upset plant means an upset biota. Likewise, a healthy biota means a healthy
plant.
- The name of the game is reduction in the volume of solids and bioaugmentation
with ACCELOBAC® offers the best solution.
Introduction
Sludge handling is the number one problem in most waste
treatment plants. What comes in must go out some time and to some place. The more sludge
removed, the greater the expense in hauling and disposal. These costs vary from less than
$100,000 in small plants to several million in large facilities. Such expenditures are not
likely to decrease because of five reasons: 1. Expanding populations; 2.Fewer approved
disposal sites; 3. Inflation; 4. Increased use of chemicals which add to sludge volume,
and 5. Tighter regulations. With this dim scenario, what can be done?
The usual approach has been to add plant capacity with larger
tanks, more air, etc., and this is sometimes necessary. But, such is costly and involves
large capital expenditures with a resulting increase in sludge handling and taxes.
However, it should be emphasized that the physical aspects of a plant do not digest the
waste. It is the enzymes produced by microorganisms. THE PURPOSE OF THE PLANT IS TO
PROVIDE A FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR BIOLOGICAL REDUCTION OF THE WASTE. THE PLANT MUST HAVE
SUFFICIENT DISSOLVED OXYGEN, DETENTION TIME, RELATIVE FREEDOM FROM WASH OUT AND SHOCK
LOADS, ETC. IF THE PLANT IS UPSET, SO ARE THE MICROORGANISMS. The best point of attack is
to reduce the volume of solids thereby effecting an immediate saving in hauling costs.
This is done by bioaugmentation of the existing microorganisms through addition of
biologically active seed cultures on a regular preventive maintenance schedule.
Bioaugmentation means helping mother nature do a better job microbiologically rather than
from continued use of chemical additives. Just like an aspirin that relieves some cold
symptoms, but does not cure the cold, chemical additives temporarily relieve the symptoms
of poor digestion, but do not cure the problem. What are biologically active seed
cultures?
Biologically Active Seed Cultures
Nature abounds with biologically active microbial cultures in
the air, soil, and water. These microflora exist because they have adapted and continue to
adapt to changes in the environment. Some species barely make it under harsh or
antagonistic conditions and might have difficulty surviving in a friendly environment,
while others flourish in a friendly environment and might not be able to adjust to harsh
conditions. Regardless, whether at the harsh end, the easy life, or in between, microbial
cultures have adapted to live because they can metabolize certain surrounding substances
to obtain energy and nutrients. Why is this simple ecological phenomenon of historical
significance?
The answer is both good news and bad news: On the good side,
this adaptation has provided starter cultures to produce foods, beverages, antibiotics and
commercial enzymes; But on the bad side, microbes also cause rot and decay. However, this
is not all bad. Although we lose valuable property to rot and decay, we also get rot and
decay of our wastes, which, if left untouched, would soon bring an end to civilization as
we know it.
Loss of valuable property to rot and decay can be controlled, to
a certain extent, by bactericides and fungicides. However, populations are forever
expanding and unnatural substances are being introduced into the environment. Therefore,
it is desirable to promote rot and decay of wastes. Accordingly, a great need exists to
increase biological digestion without the usually expensive mechanical and structural
additions that may last for a time and then have to be repeated at even higher costs.
The answer is bioaugmentation by regular addition of
biologically active seed cultures. These are microbial strains of naturally occurring
microorganisms that have been isolated and trained to produce large amounts of digestive
enzymes when introduced into a waste system. This on-job-training has been done to the
extent that THESE BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SEED CULTURES ARE STRAINS WHICH ARE 1000 TIMES MORE
ACTIVE THAN THOSE FOUND IN NATURE. This is the reason why proper microbial strains in a
product are so important. They must be the right numbers of the proper kinds.
Why is this so? The reason is to produce the various enzymes
which digest the organic waste. Microbes cannot chew up food. They must absorb it through
their cell walls and the openings are very small. Accordingly, they secrete enzymes to
hydrolyze the food into very small particles which can then be absorbed into the cell.
This extracellular digestion is what breaks down the volume of organic waste, not
bacterial chewing.
If this extracellular digestion is accomplished by enzymes, why
not just add enzymes? Enzymes don’t multiply and are eventually digested themselves
and washed out of the system. The addition of cultures to seed the waste will provide a
continuous source of digestive enzymes. Each bacterium will attach to surfaces and waste
particles and produce digestive enzymes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each bacterium
is an enzyme factory. This 24 hour production of enzymes is called residual activity and
is the main thrust of biologically active seed cultures. BY ADDING ON A REGULAR BASIS,
THESE MORE EFFICIENT CULTURES ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN DOMINANCE OVER THE NATURALLY
OCCURRING AND OFTEN LESS ACTIVE BACTERIA.
Something About Enzymes
Enzymes are large complex proteins produced by every living
plant and animal cell. Without enzymes, life could not exist. Every biological process is
started and forced to completion by enzymes, whether it be synthesis of biochemicals like
other enzymes, vitamins, hormones, proteins, starches, fats, fiber, etc., or the breakdown
of these in digestion of food or, in a waste treatment plant. There are enzymes that build
and those that break. In the former instance, small parts are assembled into a large
molecule and, in the latter, the reverse occurs. Both assembly and digestion go on in all
living things from just after conception until just after death.
Of what significance is this in a waste treatment plant? The
plant is a physical facility with just one purpose - to provide a favorable environment
for digestion of the waste. The mechanical parts do not digest the waste. It is enzymes
produced by microorganisms which range in size from viruses and bacteria to protozoa, but
mainly from bacteria. This conglomerate is known as the biota. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT
BACTERIA, BUT THE ENZYMES PRODUCED, WHICH DIGEST THE WASTE. In order to get the enzymes
requires the presence of enough of the proper bacteria. If you have A HEALTHY BIOTA, YOU
HAVE A HEALTHY WASTE TREATMENT PLANT.
Every action should be evaluated as to its effect on the biota,
both short and long term. But, few take time to examine the sludge for protozoa, which are
an essential part of the biota. There should be a microbiological food chain in a waste
treatment plant. The larger feed on the smaller microbes and protozoa are at the top of
this chain. Few or no protozoa usually indicates a low bacterial population which means
poor waste digestion.
Results that can be expected with ACCELOBAC® Addition
- With direct addition to aerobic digester: faster supernate and reduction in
solids.
- With addition to sludge going to the anaerobic digester, increased gas production
and reduction in solids.
- With addition after primary settling, Nos. 1 & 2 above plus better digestion
as evidence by reduced odors, grease, B.O.D. and solids.
- With addition to the collection system, all the above.
If you would like to try this method with your waste treatment plant, please
get in touch with us for a free sample.
DOUBTERS
DEMONSTRATION METHOD |
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Sequential batch bench scale sludge reduction method with ACCELOBAC®
OBJECTIVE:
To demonstrate and compare solids reduction obtained through ACCELOBAC®
bioaugumentation with that obtained naturally on an identical sample over the same time
period.
A bench scale treatability method has been developed by which the following can
be determined without the time and expense of actual plant treatment:
1. Treatability of the particular waste.
2. The best product for the particular waste.
3. Maximum sludge reduction.
4. The least expensive application schedule.
METHOD:
1. Obtain a 7-8 gal. sample of mixed liquor from the aeration basin (2000-4000
ppm total solids). Run 60 minute settlometer test and record results.
2. Thoroughly mix the remaining sample and split evenly between the two chambers
of the test tank. The test can be done in two side-by-side 5 gal. plastic pails, two 5
gal. fish tanks or in a 10 gal. fish tank with a partition in the middle. Each chamber
should have a working volume of 3.0-3.5 gals. Aerate each container or chamber with a
airstone or something similar fed by an air compressor or by the lab air supply to
maintain a minimum 2.0-2.5 mg./L dissolved oxygen (D.O.). Both chambers must have the same
D.O. However, because of increased digestion in the treated chamber, more air may be
required to maintain the same D.O. as in the untreated chamber. Keep both chambers at
ambient temperature (70-800F for the duration of the treatability study.
3. Put 1.0-1.5 grams (approx. 1 teaspoon) of ACCELOBAC® directly into one
chamber or container and label this treated and record as time zero. Cover both chambers
to retard evaporation.
4. At 24, 48 and 72 hours, remove one liter from each container and run 60
minute settlometer test.
5. After each settlometer determination, discard the liter, replace with one
liter of fresh material and add another 1 teaspoon of ACCELOBAC® to the treated
container.
Settling will be faster after 72 hours and the 60 minute volume of solids will
be at least 25% less in the ACCELOBAC® treatment.
If so desired, other standard waste water parameters can be determined for the
samples and the time of the testing can be extended to include longer periods.
PRECAUTIONS:
Care must be taken not to contaminate the untreated container or sample with
material from the treated batch or sample. Use separate settlometers if possible. Make
sure each container is thoroughly mixed before removing samples.
TABULATION:
Chart settleability at 12,24,48 and 72 hours to determine solids reduction
attributable to ACCELOBAC® vs. the control.
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