Actizyme Eco Enzyme Pellets - Biodegredation of Sewerage Waste

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The majority of breakdown or recycling of waste materials occurs both in nature and in waste water treatment by action of microorganisms. The transformations effected are carried out via the metabolic processes, involving a variety of enzyme systems, of various microbial species. These processes can be depicted schematically, see below.

All biological transformations of waste occur due to the action of enzymes produced by microorganisms, principally bacteria and fungi. Enzymes are biological catalysts which catalyse the breakdown of complex molecules into their basic constituents.

These simple substances are then used by microorganisms to fuel their own metabolism and create new microbial cells. The gases products formed e.g. CO2, H2S, CH4 are the by-products of microbial metabolism.

Efficient Bioaugmentation

In common with most biological processes, the performance of Actizyme is affected by a number of environmental conditions. The optimum conditions and inhibiting factors for Actizyme have been determined (in laboratory evaluations) as being very similar to those factors applying to the microorganisms and enzyme systems involved naturally in the breakdown of any organic waste, particularly in the sewage treatment process.

To achieve efficient biodegradation of wastes, it is also important that:

Adequate mixing occurs: - it is a basic principle of wastewater treatment that the microorganisms must be brought into direct contact with the food source (waste material). Biodegradation is most efficient where flow or turbulence occurs, thus allowing constant mixing of microorganisms with the waste materials, rather than in static conditions.
Sufficient concentrations of the correct microorganisms and enzymes are present. If concentrations are insufficient, it will be necessary to augment the system with additional bacteria/enzymes (e.g. Actizyme).
Extremes of temperatures. It has been found in the field that Actizyme performs best at certain temperatures. The optimum activity would be expected at a temperature of about 40 deg C, with little activity below 0 deg C and above 60 deg C, therefore, for best performance, it is best to maintain a temperature range of 12 deg C to 40 deg C.
Effect of pH variations. The pH range for growth of Actizyme culture is between pH 5.0 and 8.5. The optimum pH is approximately pH 7.0.
Presence of antimicrobial chemicals in cidal concentrations (e.g. chlorine, phenols, quaternary ammonium compounds and other biocides, heavy metals).

Pollution due to the overloading of wastewater treatment plants or natural ecosystems, with organic wastes, is becoming increasingly more common. This is due to increases in human populations and industry production. The bioaugmentation of wastewater treatment plants with specialised microbial cultures such as Actizyme is becoming increasingly popular and cost-effective.

Quantitative Measurements

Visual - Physical signs can be useful indicators such as liquid colour change, presence of greases or fats, change in odour levels and vegetation and biological activity in the form of CO2 gas release and foaming.

Measurements – Various parameters can be measured such as Suspended solids (SS), Dissolved oxygen (DO), Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and measurements indicating presence of heavy metals etc.

BOD is the most commonly used test to indicate organic loading of a system and therefore is a useful pollution indicator. Organic substances which can be biologically oxidized by dissolved oxygen via microbial processes are said to exert a Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Therefore, BOD measurements can be used to predict how waste material will be assimilated into the environment – high figures indicate a possible overload. The BOD test is normally performed over 5 days therefore is expressed as BOD5.

BOD5 reduction:

The rate of microbial growth at any time is a function of food concentration. A convenient measure of organic loading rate in a biological process can be expressed as a ratio, known as the food to microorganism ratio – F/M for an activated sludge system.

Mixed Liquor Suspended Volatile Suspended Solids (MLVSS)

Mixed liquor is a combination of sludge and water removed from the clarifier in wastewater treatment process and reintroduced into an earlier phase of the treatment process. The mixed liquor contains microorganisms which digest the wastes in the raw water. We can supplement or replace the mixed liquor with Actizyme to increase the F/M ratio.

The waste treatment process can therefore be controlled using this ratio. Since the growth of microorganisms leads to a reduction in BOD5, adjustments of this ratio by the addition of extra or more diverse microbial types in the form of Actizyme, will lead to increased rates of BOD5 reduction.

It is also significant that odour reduction tends to be linked to BOD5 reduction. Most odour are caused by incompletely oxidised end products of microbial metabolism, therefore, increased complete oxidation will reduce odour.

Dose Rates

The optimum dosage rate of Actizyme for a particular waste depends very much on individual circumstances and the desired results. If faster results are desired, then a higher dosing level should be used than if a longer time lag is acceptable. In general, field experiences have indicated that optimum results are achieved by having an initial “slug” dose in the order of 5-500 ppm reducing to a regular maintenance dose in the order of 0.5 ppm upwards. Dosage rates and frequency of addition is of course dependent upon the nature of waste, the volume throughput and the holding capacity of the treatment system. The frequency may vary from addition on a monthly basis to small half-hourly increments.

Life Span

When in aqueous solution, laboratory testing has indicated that the bacteria population initially increases to a maximum after about four days and then steadily declines in activity. Therefore, once the bacteria population begins to decline, it is good practice to supplement the dying micro culture with new microbial product, such as dosing Actizyme each week.

How Does Actizyme Work?

Actizyme is inactive in the dry state, but when mixed with water, the microbial culture germinates producing viable bacteria. The facultative Actizyme culture operates in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The mechanism of Actizyme action is broadly as follows:

The provision of short-term initial enzyme action which promotes fast breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
Providing large numbers of viable multiplying bacteria and their associated enzyme systems to continuously “boost” the recycling process.
Providing additional nutrients for Actizyme and existing bacteria.
Aiding existing bacteria to stabilize and multiply i.e. having a catalytic effect.

Specification

Appearance: Brown stable pellet having a mild bran-type odour.
pH (1% solution): 6–8 @ 25°C
Major enzymes present: Protease, Amylase, Cellulase & Lipase

Why Add Enzymes?

Enzymes are also included in Actizyme. Enzymes are biological ‘catalysts’, they are produced by bacteria to breakdown large complex substances (e.g. fats, proteins, carbohydrates and plant fibre), to simpler substances (e.g. sugars, small fatty acids, amino acids) that can pass through the cell wall of the bacteria to be used as food for energy and reproduction.

Different enzymes breakdown different types of substances e.g.

Lipase – fat enzyme
Protease – protein enzyme
Amylase – starch/carbohydrate enzyme
Cellulase – cellulose (fibre) enzyme

Because Actizyme is supplied in a dry form, we are able to provide a product with very high plate count (the number of bacteria per gram) or CFU (colony forming units). This escalates the bioaugmentation activity.

Sytems Treated

Wastewater Treatment Ponds (Lagoons)

Ponds are biological wastewater treatment systems. Microorganisms in ponds degrade wastes to form gases such as methane and carbon dioxide and water-soluble nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates. Wastewater ponds are well suited to treatment with microbial cultures. Increasing the bacteria population and diversity increases the pond’s capacity to reduce the organic loading (BOD), eliminate odour, reduce sludge levels and help to ensure the system operates at maximum efficiency.

The addition of Actizyme bacteria and enzymes can also be a cost-effective method of prolonging the pond’s life and/or handling waste loads beyond the pond’s capacity.