How do you prevent the growth of algae and bacteria in a sludge field?

Imagine that the rinsing water from the pre-purification is collected in several sludge fields. The sun shines all day, allowing algae and other bacteria to grow, makes it impossible to reuse the rinsing water. These algae and bacteria cause contamination of the membranes, which leads to higher energy costs and a shorter lifespan.

If you want to reuse the rinsing water, it is paramount not allowing the algae to grow. To achieve this our Birdballs™ (the original shade balls) were used. The first lab tests look good, and now you may reuse the water from the sludge fields. True story!

"This way, we make the production process more sustainable and reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. More importantly, we also contribute to a more sustainable living environment."[sic - Evides]

It’s not a secret that the rising population, water consumption, and increased production - wastewater also increases. The efforts to purify water are escalating, public pressure to save water is rising, and the list goes on.

Could the leading technology out of all modern eco-friendly treatment technologies available today be biological purification?

The microorganisms that digest organic substances in wastewater have the most significant role in biological purification. Yet their reproduction and the effectiveness of purification aren’t constant. The temperature of the wastewater has a major impact on the performance.

Therefore, it may be worth covering the surface of the purifying basins to prevent inadequate environments that affect the processes.

The need for a cover layer is justified. Not only to reach the ideal climate (temperature) in the sewage water but also to retain it at the same level. Once achieved and maintained, the microorganisms will have an optimal environment to work their magic which may result in significant cost savings.

Seasonal choices: Winter Vs Summer

The use of balls during winter can significantly reduce the risk of freezing and provide an ideal temperature for microorganisms, as the thermal insulation effect of the balls slows down the cooling process. Data shows that the air temperature must drop to -10°C for the surface to start freezing. Also, the surface heat fluctuations reduce to +/-2°C (measured on clear water Oct/Nov - with and without balls).

For some treatment technologies, heating wastewater during colder periods is unavoidable. In these cases, our Birdballs™ proved up to 75% saving on energy cost, as the layer of balls provides insulation resulting in reduced energy loss and liquid evaporation by 85-90%.

During the summer period, thanks to the insulation layer, the water temperature would hardly rise above 25°C (all the above numbers apply). HDPE material mixed with UV additives makes the balls resistant to sunlight so they last much longer (25-30 years) before they are recycled.

Other experiences & ROI, briefly!

In recent years we have had several projects where our clients have aimed to reduce their expenses.

One of them is a company from the food industry manufacturing isosugar. They bought our water-filled Bird Balls™ in two installments, to test the effectiveness of the solution. The main goal was to cover four pools in total, two of which were covered with balls in the first round, while the other two were left uncovered. After 2 months of testing and comparing, the effectiveness of the cover was proven.

Another project with heated pools where the aim was to reduce the heating cycle reached the same conclusion.

With both mentioned projects the ROI was well within a year!

I offer a great short-term return / long-term strategy as the balls are offered with a 10-year quality guarantee!

Nevertheless, Bird Balls™ lifecycle is 25-30 years (recyclable HDPE). So you do the math!

For any additional information or inquiries, please contact us directly.