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.