Breakthrough in treating high BOD wastewaters

As environmental laws around the world enforce stricter compliance and higher fees for wastewater discharge, many food and beverage producers need effective, low-cost ways to treat and reduce BOD loads on-site.

For any food processing company, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) can represent a costly challenge when managing its liquid trade waste. Water health is typically measured by BOD concentrations. High BOD can be expensive to discharge and cause rapid erosion of infrastructure such as sewers and pipes.

Maximising the power of microbiology

Microorganisms are Nature’s best recyclers and decomposers and used in most wastewater treatment systems.

“Our concept is to create the perfect, oxygen rich environment so the microorganisms can perform at their best, consuming pollutants from the wastewater,” explained John West, Executive Chairman of BioGill.

The breakthrough BioGill Towers are above ground biological bioreactors which are proving particularly effective in reducing soluble nutrients such as BOD, COD and nitrogen, as well as fat, oil and grease.

The technology is also an ideal performance boost for existing wastewater treatment plants, with excellent results recorded in the Philippines and the Middle East.

“By combining science, smart technology and natural biological processes, we have delivered an extremely effective and compelling green-tech solution for wastewater treatment,” added John.

No aeration — save on energy use

Conventional submerged wastewater systems aerate the wastewater to provide oxygen for the microorganisms. This aeration process is inefficient, energy hungry and expensive.

BioGill technology takes a more innovative approach. Heat generated by the biofilm creates natural convective air flow inside the unit, so no powered aeration or energy hungry blowers are required.

“From wineries and breweries, to candy producers, meat processors and dairies, across Australia, Asia and North America, our bioreactors are reducing the nutrient load in wastewater and helping producers meet environmental targets,” said John.

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Winery tackles BOD on-site and wins

Canadian winery Cave Spring Cellars is committed to environmentally friendly and sustainable winemaking.

In October 2015, a system using four BioGill bioreactors was installed and proved highly effective, lowering the BOD in the winery wastewater by up to 99%. Prior to treatment, the BOD from the non-vintage loads can be up to 9,645 mg/L. Following a 22-hour treatment cycle, the BOD has been reduced to 101 mg/L.

Cave Spring Cellars has since been awarded Ontario’s first certified sustainable winery for its wastewater treatment, waste management and energy savings initiatives.

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Demand is increasing globally for natural, low energy biological water treatment solutions. With projects operating in more than 18 countries, BioGill is now seeking additional Distributors for the Asia-Pacific region. For details contact P: +61 2 8543 2200.