Products

BioMAX provides a wide range of products such as the Model C10 that caters for a small warehouse through to the Model C500K which can provide wastewater treatment and recycling solutions for large communities.

There are numerous reasons to choose a BioMAX system over other more traditional wastewater disposal methods. The recycled water that is produced is clear and odourless so it can be used on landscaped areas and significantly reduce your water bill.

Unlike septic tanks and associated below ground soakage systems, the BioMAX is not subject to the constraints of gravity in the reuse of the treated water. This allows you to direct water to where you want it. The BioMAX also eliminates the health problems associated with winter flooding of septic tanks.

Over 2,500 BioMAX systems have been installed worldwide in countries like South Africa, Indonesia, Ghana and Papua New Guinea. Our clientele includes major mining companies, oil companies and government authorities.

Schematics of BioMAX Wastewater Treatment Plant

The range of wastewater treatment systems offered by BioMAX is outlined below:

Performance Characteristics

The BioMAX systems are designed to conform with the most stringent standards in Australia (Health Department of Western Australia), as set down in the Specification for Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs).

Compliance testing is based on the system's performance under MAXIMUM design load, ie., gross daily load = No. of persons x 180 L/day. The tests were conducted over four consecutive days and included a prolonged period of shock loading.

The treated effluent quality was to be

Under Health Department controlled testing, a BioMAX® system produced an average effluent quality of

Independent testing of the BioMAX®, a C10 model (a system for 10 persons or 1 800 L/day) has been conducted by the Institute for Environmental Science, Murdoch University. The following tables summarises the results on loadings at 900 L/day (5 persons equivalent) and at 2 400 L/day (13 persons equivalent).

BOD5 Values:

Suspended Solids Values:

Nutrient Removal Characteristics of the BioMAX® Systems

The desirability of nutrient removal in a wastewater treatment system will vary depending on the characteristics of the receiving environment. In most applications the residual nutrient content in the effluent from a BioMAX system will "feed" the flora in the irrigation disposal field or be "taken up" in the soil, substituting the application of chemical fertilizers to the garden or lawn.

The nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the effluent are as follows:

Total Nitrogen (TN): Almost complete nitrification takes place within the system.  TN reduction achieved varies between 80% and 100%.  With TN loads of 50 mg/L discharge levels could be between 0 – 10 mg/L.

Total Phosphorus (TP): Without Alum Dosing, experience has shown that the effluent phosphorus levels are typically about 75% of the influent indicating that some phosphorus is being bound up in the biomass in the anaerobic and aerobic chambers.  Consequently if the influent concentration is 6 mg/L, then the effluent would have 4.5 mg/L of phosphorus. With Alum Dosing, complete phosphorus removal is then achieved.

Disposal Field Options

The effluent from a BioMAX system is approved for dripper irrigation. To suit areas where direct public access could lead to vandalism of the equipment or in areas subject to winter frost or in sub-alpine conditions the company has developed a range of dripper emitter irrigation systems: sub-strata dripper systems (under a layer of mulch) are suitable for gardens or landscaped areas and sub-surface dripper systems are ideal for lawns. The size of the disposal field will vary depending on soil type and size of the system.

After-sales support and maintenance

The BioMAX treated wastewater exceeds the standards required by the Health Department of Western Australia (the most stringent standards in Australia), however all aerobic treatment systems must, by legislation, be monitored periodically.

The BioMAX team of trained technicians ensures that the system is fine tuned to perform to the highest possible standard.  A written report keeps the owner in touch with the performance of the system with copies sent to local government and the Health Department; a copy is kept on our files giving us an ongoing record of the system’s performance.

BioMAX PROCESS DESCRIPTION

The following process description and schematic flow diagram will assist in the understanding of the treatment processes used for the BioMAX Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant is divided into five principal chambers;

1. Anaerobic chamber - anaerobic treatment
2. Aerobic chamber - aerobic treatment
3. Clarification chamber - sludge settlement and removal
4. Disinfection chamber - contact time with chlorine
5. Pumpout chamber - discharge to disposal system

1. Anaerobic Chamber

Raw wastewater is initially received into the anaerobic chamber. Approximately 30 ‑ 50% of the suspended solids settle out in this chamber where they undergo anaerobic digestion. The anaerobic digestion process is carried out by microorganisms which have the ability to feed, grow and multiply in the absence of free oxygen.  In addition, settled sludge and skimmed material returned from the clarification chamber are further digested in this chamber.  The plant is sized to enable these microorganisms to maintain a sufficient population naturally without the need for the addition of proprietary biological products.

2. Aerobic Chamber

The partially treated wastewater, still containing the colloidal and dissolved solids which represent approximately 65% of the pollution loading, flows from the anaerobic chamber to the aerobic chamber.  Air is introduced to the liquid in this chamber by means of a compressor and diffusers, maintaining aerobic (free dissolved oxygen) conditions.  The oxygen enriched effluent flows about packs of submerged media having a large surface area on which bacteria and other microorganisms thrive, forming a biological film.  These microorganisms have a different growth process to those in the anaerobic chamber in that they utilise the dissolved oxygen in the effluent, while consuming the dissolved and colloidal organic matter as food to create new cell growth and stable oxidised products.  The air pattern causes the liquid in the chamber to pass through the media in a discreet flow pattern and to have intimate contact with the microorganisms.     

The process differs from ordinary suspended growth systems in that it is more stable and also allows the growth of sub-surface anaerobic microorganisms beneath the surface film of aerobic microorganisms. This allows anaerobic bacterial action to check the media growth, thereby reducing the biological sludge accumulation. Nevertheless, as the thickening of material on the media occurs, some sloughing off will take place.

The multiple compartment design of the aerobic chamber ensures that no short-circuiting can occur, preventing the possibility of partially treated wastewater passing to the clarification chamber.  The diffused aeration system allows the air to be introduced below the media packs.

Basically the reaction in the aerobic chamber converts the dissolved and non‑settleable (colloidal) solids into carbon dioxide and a biological floc, which, under quiescent conditions, will settle.

3. Clarification Chamber

Following aeration, effluent flows into a circular hopper bottomed clarification chamber, where the biological floc (or sludge) settles under quiescent conditions.  Settled sludge from the bottom of the chamber and floating material are returned to the anaerobic chamber. From the clarification chamber, the effluent is drawn off below surface level and flows through the chlorinator to the disinfection chamber.

This continuous return of sludge to the anaerobic chamber ensures continuous fluid movement in the plant even with zero inflow and keeps the system "live" during periods of extended vacancy.

4. Disinfection Chamber

The discharge from the clarification chamber passes through an automatic gravity chlorinator.  The chlorinator is calibrated for above normal water usage.  Chlorine stocks are provided to cover maximum usage with built in safety factors to cover all foreseeable circumstances between the service periods.

The disinfection chamber is designed to provide a minimum of 30 minutes contact time between the effluent and chlorine to ensure achievement of bacterial die-off.

5.  Pumpout Chamber

After disinfection, the treated effluent enters the pumpout chamber.  The discharge pump is automatically controlled by a level switch to operate and shut down as the level of the effluent rises and falls.

6. Alarms

The BioMAX has two mechanical components; an air compressor and a discharge pump.  An alarm is provided to warn of failure of these units.  The plant has an in-built emergency storage of approximately two days to ensure that any problem can be rectified before overflow occurs.