the first can/bnq certified technology applicable to

The First CAN/BNQ Certified Technology

Applicable to Residential Dwellings

Graham Tabaczuk

Regional Supervisor

Western Canada

Content The phenomenon of blue-green algae

What contributes to their proliferation

The impact of untreated wastewater

How to remedy the situation?

Existing technological limitations

The Electro-Coagulation (EC) approach

System description

Regulatory context

Systems tested and certified

Summary of the CAN/BNQ standard

Certification results

Typical installations

System maintenance

Q&A period

The Phenomenon of Blue-Green Algae

The presence of blue-green algae into fresh bodies of

water is a natural phenomenon and has occurred

throughout history.

These microscopic organisms have lived in our lakes

and water courses for over 2 billion years.

However, modern life habits have greatly influenced

the now alarming proliferation of blue-green algae, and

today, several municipalities in Canada, USA and

around the world are faced with this problem.

What Contributes to their Proliferation

Phosphorus release in a lake (and its watershed) is responsible for

the phenomenon linked to blue-green algae proliferation.

Human activity is largely responsible for increased levels of P found

in lakes and watercourses.

A single residence is not enough to induce cyanobacteria in a lake – it

is a cumulative effect.

What Contributes to their Proliferation

Densification of lakeshore residential developments

Lawn fertilizers used on shoreline properties

Erosion and destruction of banks and wetlands

Intensive use of fertilizers by the farming industry

Badly managed or located stock feeding operations

Water runoff

Overflow of municipal works

Climate changes and the depletion of the ozone layer – intensification of

UVA and UVB rays and increased temperatures of water bodies

The Impact of Untreated Wastewater An average family (2 to 3 people) generates 6 to 9 grams of P

per day, simply from human dejections.

Phosphorus present in wastewater, combined with other

elements (intensification of UV rays and increase of

temperatures of water bodies), contributes to algae

proliferation.

A septic tank does not retain phosphorus. Despite being

pumped on a regular basis, there is release of P.

Environmental, Social and Economic Impacts

of Blue-Green Algae

Affects the vitality and usage of our water bodies

Renders the water unsuitable for human consumption

Depreciates the value of shoreline properties leading

to a decrease in revenues for municipalities

Jeopardizes precious drinking water supplies

The Impact on Wild Life

Algae requires a great amount of oxygen to proliferate.

Oxygen available to other forms of life becomes

limited, leading lakes and watercourses to deteriorate

and the Ecosystem to become stressed.

How to Remedy to the Situation?

The only way to protect our water bodies from

cyanobacteria is to remove phosphorus at its

source.

Promote the installation of phosphorus removal technology for

onsite installations for both new constructions and upgrades

Better regulate the use of chemical fertilizers

Implement waterfront protection and erosion control measures

Existing Technological Limitations

None or few phosphorus removal technologies are

applicable to onsite wastewater treatment –

technologically, operationally or economically.

Most technologies available require the handling and

storage of chemicals – unrealistic for residential

applications.

Attaining phosphorus concentration of ≤ 0.8 mg/L while

respecting a pH level between 5.5 and 9.5 is difficult.

Existing technologies based on « slags » or any material

high in calcium generate effluents with pH levels between

9 and 12.

Targeted advantages

Must be easy to operate

No stocking of chemical products

None or few impacts on pH

Targeted discharge objectives

P total ≤ 0.8 mg/L and pH < 8

After reviewing different strategies to achieve phosphorus

removal, a solution using electro-coagulation (EC) was

tested.

The Search for an Onsite Solution

The Electro-Coagulation (EC) Principle

40 V DC Source

Principle of EC: low intensity alternative electric current

applied between 2 submerged electrodes

PO4-3 is removed from wastewater by allowing it to

react with Al+3 cation, which will precipitate under the

form of AlPO4.

Sludge

System Description

Phosphorus removal unit using electro-coagulation (EC) (Patent pending in Canada, United States and Europe)

Unit treating up to 2,200 L/d

Unit volume of 2,000 liters – half a typical septic tank

Class 4 Sewage Disposal

Systems or Treatment Units

TSS: 30-40 mg/L

BOD5: 50-60 mg/L

Ptot: < 0.8 mg/L

Aluminum Electrodes

New

Spent

Primary Reactor

Sludge

Flow

Regulator

Septic tank must be oversized

Three main functions

90L/hour

Electro-Coagulation (EC) Unit

Aluminum Electrodes

Electrodes

Electrodes

Geogrid cages containing self-cleaning media

Connection to the mixing pump

Size: 36 X 48 cm

Thickness: 36 mm

Electro-Coagulation (EC) Unit

Self-Cleaning Process

Patented self-cleaning process

Mixing pump

Aluminum Electrodes

New

Spent

Electro-Coagulation (EC) Unit

Lamellar Separator

Sludge

Lamellar

separator

Electrodes

Separating wall Sludge pump under the lamellar

(Self-cleaning)

Lamellar

separator

EC Unit – Residential Applications

Lamellar

separator

Electrodes

Alarm float

Outlet

Sludge

return pipe

Mixing pump pipes Separating

wall

Collecting pipe

Electric Current Generator

and Control Panel Constant intensity (10 Amp)

variable voltage (10 to 40 V)

Reverse current

Operates only when incoming

wastewater is detected (current to

electrodes and mixing pump)

Elapsed time meter

Alarm indicates the approaching

end of life of the electrodes

Activates daily sludge pump-outs

Easy to operate – does not require any specific

intervention

No stocking or handling of chemical products

None or limited impact on pH

Continuous self-cleaning of the electrodes (preventing

passivation/coating)

Separation of the flocs (solids) by lamellar decantation

Operates only when incoming wastewater is detected

System Characteristics

Currently Under Certification

CAN/BNQ Certified System

Treatment

classes

Basic level (B)*

TSS CBOD5

B-I 100 150

B-II 30 25

B-III 15 15

B-IV 10 10

* In mg/L

Treatment classes

Treatment

classes

Disinfection

(D)

UFC/100 mL

Phosphorous

(P)

mg/L

Nitrogen

(N)

FC or E. Coli* P total N total

D-I 50,000

D-II 200

D-III ND (median < 10)

P-I 1.0

P-II 0.3

N-I 50%

N-II 75%

Summary of the CAN/BNQ Standard

DpEC Self-Cleaning Phosphorus

Removal Unit

Summary of the CAN/BNQ Standard

12 months to validate the system performance

year-round (4 seasons)

Plant hardiness – zone 3 or 4

2 periods of 6 months

(Annex A and Annex B)

Raw sewage temperature

(3 options)

• Uncontrolled

• Minimum of 10 °C

• Minimum of 16 °C (homes)

BNQ testing platform in Lac St-Charles/Québec

Same testing conditions as NSF Standard 40

26 weeks with

• 18.5 weeks at Q design

• 7.5 weeks with stress conditions

Flow regime at Q design:

• 35% of Q from 6 AM to 9 AM

• 25% of Q from 11 AM to 2 PM

• 40% of Q from 5 PM to 8 PM

Annex A (first 6 months)

Summary of the CAN/BNQ Standard

Annex A (first 6 months)

Flow regime 7 days/week

Sampling days 5 days/week

4 stress periods

• Stress « laundry day »: 1 week (3 days)

• Stress « working parents »: 1 week

• Stress « power outage »: 2 days

• Stress « vacation »: 8 days

Each of the stress test period is separated by a week

under normal operating conditions.

Summary of the CAN/BNQ Standard

Annex A (first 6 months)

Performance evaluation criteria

30 days mean: 6 must meet compliance criteria for which the

technology is tested.

7 days mean: 26 must meet 1.5 times the compliance criteria

for which the technology is tested.

Annex B (second 6 months)

Minimum of 30 sampling days during this 6-month period.

1 sampling day/week except during the 13th and 26th week

during which sampling is performed on 3 consecutive days.

Summary of the CAN/BNQ Standard

Annex B (second 6 months)

Flow regime: Only working parents

DAY TIME PERIOD Daily flow capacity

Monday to

Friday

6 AM – 9 AM 40% daily flow

5 PM – 8 PM 60% daily flow

Saturday &

Sunday

6 AM – 9 AM 35% daily flow

11 AM – 2 PM 25% daily flow

5 PM – 8 PM 40% daily flow 0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

heure

% d

u v

olu

me

qu

oti

die

n/h

eu

re BNQ dosage régulier

BNQ "Parents au travail"

Summary of the CAN/BNQ Standard

% o

f th

e d

ail

y/h

ou

rly v

olu

me

Regular BNQ dosing

BNQ Working parents

hour

1 ECE: Electro-coagulation Unit Effluent

CAN/BNQ results: Primary Reactor + EC Unit

Certification Results

Parameters IPR ECE1 Removal

TSS (mg/L) 231 ± 65 33 ± 23 86%

CBOD5 (mg/L) 188 ± 63 53 ± 23 72%

P total (mg/L) 5.1 ± 1.7 0.4 ± 0.4 92%

FC (log) 6.4

(2,272,815)

4.8

(62,773) 1.6

pH 8.0 8.2 na

n 159 159 na

Parameters IPR BFE1 Removal

TSS (mg/L) 231 ± 65 2 ± 2 99.5%

CBOD5 (mg/L) 188 ± 63 2 ± 0.1 98.6%

P total (mg/L) 5.1 ± 1.7 0.1 ± 0.1 99%

FC (log) 6.4

(2,272,815)

2.3

(224) 4.1

pH 8.0 7.5 na

n 159 159 na

1 BFE : Ecoflo Biofilter Effluent

CAN/BNQ results: Primary + EC Unit + Ecoflo Biofilter

Certification Results

Parameters IPR BFE1 Removal

TSS (mg/L) 231 ± 65 2 ± 2 99.5%

CBOD5 (mg/L) 188 ± 63 2 ± 0.1 98.6%

P total (mg/L) 5.1 ± 1.7 0.1 ± 0.1 99%

FC (log) 6.4

(2,272,815)

<0.3

(<2) > 6

pH 8.0 7.5 na

n 159 159 na

1 BFE : Ecoflo Biofilter Effluent

CAN/BNQ results: Primary Reactor + EC Unit

+ Ecoflo Biofilter + DiUV Self-Cleaning

Certification Results

Parameters IPR SFE1 Removal

TSS (mg/L) 252 ± 64 1 ± 1 99.6%

CBOD5 (mg/L) 221 ± 59 2 ± 1 99.1%

P total (mg/L) 6.3 ± 1.7 0.04 ± 0.02 99.4%

FC (log) 6.4

(1,670,203)

1.7

(47) 4.7

pH 7.9 7.4 na

n 153 153 na

CAN/BNQ results: Primary Reactor + EC Unit + Sand Filter

with a HLR of 75 L/m2*d

Certification Results

1 SFE : Sand Filter Effluent

Achievements

Highly efficient

Protects and improves the water quality of lakes and watercourses

– no impact on the pH.

True Plug In Plug Out

Fully prefabricated unit allows for quick and high-quality

installations.

Positive and long-term environmental impact

Facilitates development on lakes at capacity, remediates failing

systems and upgrades septic installations.

DpEC Self-Cleaning

Typical Installations

DpEC Self-Cleaning + Ecoflo + UV

DpEC Self-Cleaning + Sand Filter

Commercial & Communal applications

Recently Scaled to a Commercial Application

8000 L/d

Four pairs of electrodes

Aluminum electrodes

Geogrid cages containing self-cleaning media

Mixing pump

Recently Scaled to a Commercial Application

Energy Consumption

Monthly energy consumption: $35/month (for

the DpEC unit) – similar to a small swimming

pool filter pump of 700W in function for 12h/day

Electrodes lifespan: 3,690 h

Replacement of the electrodes: $0.23/h – app.

$55-70/month depending on water usage

DpEC Self-Cleaning Phosphorus Removal Unit

1 visit per year

Inspection of all internal components and

tanks

Flow regulator (clean and adjust if required)

Efficiency of self-cleaning system and Aluminium

plates basket

Lamellar decanter - Collection pipe leveling

Alarms and operating time

Replacement of the electrodes (if required)

Sampling and analysis of treated effluent

(when applicable)

Recommended Inspection Schedule

Available documentation

Installation Guide

Owner’s Manual

Promotional brochure and more

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Q&A Period