Water Treatment System Q&A

Even when the wastewater appears to be clear, the wastewater cannot be discharged unless it satisfies applicable water quality standards. In other words, as long as it satisfies the standards, the wastewater can be discharged even when it is not clear.
　(Water containing COD of 20,000mg/L [20,000ppm/L] exists although the water appears to be clear.)

If water intake is 20t/day and the same amount is discharged, the total cost, including the fees for industrial water and treatment of sewage, will accumulate to huge amounts over a period of five years as shown in the chart below. For example, if wastewater from the factory is purified and 85% of it is refused, conservation of water leads to a substantial savings in costs.

Investing in a wastewater purification system and conserving water can reduce much more cost than diluting and discharging wastewater from the factory.

(ｐH)Acidity, Alkalinity:
The pH of 7 is considered to be neutral. As the number decreases (pH6, 5, 4), the acidity increases. Similarly, the alkalinity increases as the number increases (pH8, 9, 10).
Increment pH by 1 implies 10 times more change in the concentration. For instance, pH10 is 1,000 times of pH7, and pH12 is 100,000 times more.

(SS)Turbidity:
　Total of solids (e.g. organic substances), depth of color, and cloudiness is quantified.

(BOD)Biochemical Oxygen Demand:
　The smaller the value is, the less oxygen is consumed, and biodegradation is more easily done.
　The amount of oxygen used to decompose contaminants by bacteria is measured and quantified.

(COD) Chemical Oxygen Demand:
　The mixture level of chemical components
　Instead of bacteria, contaminants are decomposed using chemicals (oxidant) and the contaminant level is indirectly measured and quantified.

(T-N)Total nitrogen:
　Sum of nitrate, nitrite, ammonium nitrogen, and etc is quantified.

(T-P)Total phosphorus:
　Sum of phosphorus components is quantified.
※１ Neutral pH is the standard for these standard values. The smaller SS, BOD, COD, T-N, and T-P values are, more environmental contamination is prevented. The larger values indicate that it would be more likely to trigger eutrophication of lakes and ponds, and contamination of ground water, affecting our living environment.

※２ Effluent standards become stricter year by year. In addition to the Water Pollution Control Act, some local governments set own regulations (e.g. pH 5.8 to 8.6，SS 70，BOD 70ppm，COD 40ppm，Nitrogen 60mg/L，Phosphorus 8mg/L). (Effluent standards vary, depending on local regulations.)

※３ Effluent standards for sewage effluent is the strictest, then river, and ocean. However, there are no clear regulation values for spraying livestock/dairy liquid fertilizer.

Necessity of the purification lab test:
　Purification lab test is conducted for the samples from each site. Water purification is verified by the certification of the concentration measurement.
　Wastewater samples do not show the same condition as they vary depending on components including chemicals, concentrations, meteorological environment, bacterial responses, and electric conductivity. Therefore, the purification lab test (with charge) is required even when the wastewater is produced in the same industry and has the same name.
　The test is also essential to determine the guarantee values for the water quality when a new system is installed.

Purification lab test procedure:
　Provide us four liters of actual wastewater for the test. We will review the sample and determine an appropriate purification method.
　Before and after the purification, the water quality is analyzed and compared through beaker tests in order to verify the effect of the purification.
　We will provide optimal quotations to meet your needs.

Rust-colored water electrolysis wastewater treatment (View Video)

When the results of the purification lab tests satisfy the standards of the local water effluent regulations, the wastewater can be discharged by installing new purification systems.
　If the results do not satisfy the standards, the hybrid system employing activated sludge process and chemical treatment will be required.
　If purification is difficult, it is processed as industrial waste disposal.
　(Only diary and livestock wastewater can be recycled as liquid fertilizer.)
　If the quality of processing water is slightly over the standards, it can be discharged after diluted with ground water, rain water, or tap water as long as it is within the 5th total volume control range.

1. We will provide appropriate quotations considering factors including actual sites, lab tests, characteristics of wastewater, and your needs.
2. Systems are available at low prices for light-level contamination and small-amount wastewater treatment.
3. Processing of highly concentrated wastewater containing persistent materials (livestock, especially digestive fluid,) or chemical plant wastewater (polymeric agent, chemicals) requires cost for COD, ammonia decomposition and etc.
4. If you have any request for the removal method of organic materials (sedimentation, filter, carbonization), please let us know. If pH, electric conductivity and/or water quality fluctuate largely, additional facilities and systems (e.g. adjustment tanks) to maintain the condition may be required.
5. Additional facilities (system storage room, deodorizing equipment, etc) will be required for sites with strong odor, or snowy or freezing area.
6. Construction fee for installation (electric, water, and drainage facilities, civil work) varies depending on actual site.
7. Frequent meetings and making detailed drawings make the management cost higher. (e.g. public projects)
8. In some cases, hybrid systems (combined with biological treatment, chemical feed) may be required, considering initial and running costs.
9. Contact us with your requests. (e.g. auto error alarm [wireless/module phone type], semi-auto operation to reduce operation and equipment cost)

1)Differences between treatments of circulation water and industrial wastewater

• “General wastewater treatment” is defined herein as follows: Wastewater including contaminants from factories and dairy & livestock farmers is purified through a single-path processing from an intake port to output port
• While wastewater containing contaminants is purified on the same day it is generated, circulation water treatment improves the water quality over time in the closed circulation systems, and the facility cost can be reduced.

2)Circulation water treatment

• Gross water capacity of circulation water means the total volume of water used in the facility including water in facilities pipes, chillers, and cooling tower.
• Silica scales are separated and removed by changing the characteristics of circulation water through electro- and physicochemical processing without using chemicals. It prevents generation of slime, breeding of legionella and algae, and rust on pipes.
• Prevention of clogging caused by scale on pipes and heat exchanger improves the heat exchange rate, reducing operating load and saving energy.
• It takes 7 to 15 days to produce effects after the circulation water treatment system is installed.
• Periodical cleaning is required to remove contaminants separated from the facilities and pipes during the initial stage after the installation.
• As a single cycle of contaminant removal process will be completed after 1 to 2 months after the installation, the system operation becomes stable. Silica and scale in supply water for overblow are removed.
• Neglecting periodical maintenance, including the regular cleaning of the circulation systems, insufficient design of heat load, and leaving clogged heat exchangers for hot springs and bathes will result in the forced chemical cleaning and sterilization. Regular cleaning and maintenance must be performed as mass generation of filamentous fungi and legionella could happen in worst case.

3)Water purification of lakes, ponds, dam lakes

• Since the closed water areas less than 100 tons (ponds, lakes, etc) take a short purification time, the systems taking 1 to 15 day(s) to purify water are used. Then, periodical purification is performed (semi-annual, etc), depending on the condition of eutrophication.
• For purification of large closed water areas of 500 to 1000 tons (pond, lakes, etc), it will take approximately 1 to 3 months. After one purification cycle completes, it can be switched to smaller systems suitable to the contamination level to prevent eutrophication. In this case, whole area of the closed water system must be regularly circulated by water flow for r purification.
• For purification of the closed water areas of 100,000 to 10,000,000 tons (lake, dam lakes), it will take 1 to 3 years. Purification of a focused area where contaminants are accumulated is effective. Considering resource supply and natural environment (snow, freeze), detailed designs will be required.
• ※As a common factor, load to purification becomes larger in the following cases and in those cases, machine design and purification method should be reconsidered: aquaculture in small closed water area with especially small amount of water, a large number of fish in natural environment, heavy accumulation of sludge, large amount of inflow water (naturally flown water, hot spring, etc)

4)Industrial wastewater treatment (industrial/livestock wastewater)

• Determined amount of wastewater is treated in a single path process.
• We offer optimal procedures for various types of wastewater, including hybrid facilities combining multiple technologies.
• Time and energy for separation and decomposition of contaminants in wastewater treatment are measured, but they vary widely (from easy to process to time/energy consuming ).

The two thirds of Earth’s surface are covered by water, but only 0.01% of that is fresh water available for our daily life and for industrial activities. As the pollution of the global environment continues, there are growing concerns about the accumulation of water environmental pollutants, and the polluted water continues to contaminate soils.

　Immediate purification of the environment in the global scale is urgent to prevent further contamination of the environment. Environmental purification technology aiming for recycle-based society not causing secondary environmental contamination is required.

　For example, Kasumigaura is a typical closed water area and widely used for farming and household water and so on. However, the quality of water has not been improved since water quality standards had been set. Furthermore, more strict regulation “the 5th volume control” has been issued for nitrogen and phosphorus output standards, and “Act on Livestock Waste” has been issued for dairy and livestock industry. With those backgrounds, achieving the required water standards becomes a basic factor for local life and advancement of industry.

①Bioremediation (activated sludge process)

Characteristics: There are two methods. One method is to digest organic materials by aerobic bacteria activated by aeration for nitrification. Another method is to release nitrogen into air by denitrifying bacteria.

Pros:Generally and extensively used and effective to removal of BOD, nitrogen, and SS. It is especially effective to small-amount purification.

Cons:Large installation area and long-term processing are required as well as a large amount of energy for aeration. It is difficult to be adjusted to the changes in COD, pigment degradation, and low-temperature (seasons).


②Dissolved air flotation (chemical injection)

Characteristics: Sludge is forcibly separated (precipitated/floated) with use of coagulants or polymeric agents. This method is generally used in industrial wastewater treatment as the advanced processing when the bioremediation process is not sufficient. It is also used by itself.

Pros:Small installation area and short treatment time. Water purification effects are expected in overall criteria.

Cons:More sludge is produced, and secondary environmental contamination by the industrial waste disposal and chemicals are concerned.


③Heat treatment (incineration, evaporation, carbonization)

Characteristics: Heat treatment using fossil fuels or self-generated methane gas

Pros:Sludge and water are definitely separated. Solids after carbonization are porous and can be used for the assistant in the biological treatment.

Cons:There is a problem with the CO2 reduction measures in Kyoto Protocol, and COD in evaporated moisture is not degraded.


④Oxidation treatment (A. Electrolysis/ B. Ozone gas/ C. Titanium dioxide)

A,Electrolysis

Characteristics: Although there had been few actual cases of electrolysis wastewater treatment, more advanced purification technology has been developed and gradually introduced to the market in these years.

Pros:Small installation area, energy-saving, and high level of purification is available for wide range of environmental contaminants. Treatments which have not been available previously, including decomposition of VOC, chlorine compound, COD, and ammonia, separation of phosphorus, N-hexane, and SS as well as decoloration in automatic operation.

Cons:In the case of industrial water, the facility cost could be a disadvantage for a short-term large-volume treatment (500t/day or more).


B,Ozone gas

Characteristics: It has been gradually introduced to the market recently.

Pros:Small installation area, energy-saving, and high level of purification is available for various environmental contaminants. Treatments which have not been available previously, including mild decomposition of chlorine compound, COD, and ammonia, as well as decoloration are available. Especially it is effective in gas-phase purification and automatic operation is available.

Cons:Since ozone gas does not remain in water for a long time, it is not suitable for in-water purification. In the case of industrial water, the facility cost could be a disadvantage for a short-term large-volume treatment (1t/day or more).


C,Titanium dioxide

Characteristics: Environmental contaminants, contacted to titanium dioxide coating surface in gas-phase, react with the UV light and they are detoxified. This method can be used as tile surface treatment (mixed with paint and coated on walls).

Pros:High level of purification is available with little energy provided by UV irradiation from the sunlight or UV lamps. Treatment which has not been available previously, including decomposition of nitrogen compounds, chlorine compound, COD, and ammonium is available.

Cons: Ultraviolet is required. Processing time is long even in the gas phase, not suitable to the treatment in the liquid phase.


⑤Encapsulation, Storage in segregated facilities

Characteristics: Hard-to-degrade materials are encapsulated in containers (such as glass) which do not elute the contents and controlled under segregated facilities. PCB is a typical example of accumulation storage.

Pros:None

Cons:No solutions for purification of environmental pollutants

Atom	A basic minimum unit of matter for an element, and varies, depending on the types of the element.
Molecule	Aggregation of atoms
Water	Aggregation of a single oxygen atom and twp hydrogen atoms (H2O)
Water cluster	In a general theory, it is an aggregation of about seven water molecules (as shown below).

In the case of direct current electrolysis, when the power is supplied to the positive and negative electrode metals in a water solution, the oxygen (O) is generated from the positive side and hydrogen (H) from the negative side. The generated hydrogen forms air bubbles and goes into air (gas-phase).
The positively charged ion components are drawn to the negative side, and negatively charged ion components to the positive side. In a plating process, a metal layer is grown by using this principle. This is the general theory for the conventional electrolysis.

Pros:Complete separation of +/- ion components

Cons:Electrolysis in large water generates layers on the surface of the electrodes, and the electrode contamination blocks electrical current. As such, the sustainability of the process is low in long-term. Therefore, it is mainly used in a plating process, and not other processes. (Physical and periodical cleaning is required.)

The phenomenon illustrated in the following photos and drawings are induced.

1． In the newly developed patented electrolysis technology, active electrodes are used as the positive electrodes (anode). Once electrical energy is supplied, the electrodes are dissolved and flocs are formed through reaction bonding as the positive and negative ion components are pulled in each other. The generated oxygen has a characteristic to be dissolved into water as DO (dissolved oxygen). On the other hand, non-active electrodes are used as the negative electrodes (cathode). As hydrogen is removed from the solution, hydrogen bonding is released in water clusters, and water cluster is separated into micro clusters. Sludge including scale, silica, iron, arsenic, heavy metals is separated and removed. (Currently no technology is available to directly observe the water clusters. It is an interdisciplinary theory.)

2． In the electrolysis reaction near the positive electrodes, electro‐oxidation reaction occurs, inducing the strong oxidation. Micro Water System induces the oxidative effects several tens of times more than ozone gas (widely known for oxidation reaction and induces a similar phenomenon) with less power consumption and at high efficiency when it is compared under the same consumption energy.In this phenomenon, water contaminants including COD, nitrogen, dioxin, PCB, VOC are efficiently decomposed. Furthermore, the OH radical reaction is also induced, and the effect of oxidation is maintained more than 1 hour in the solution.

　(No flocs by ozone gas. Short effective time as ozone gas goes directly to the gas-phase. etc.)
Sludge flocculated by micro bubbles of hydrogen gas generated from the negative side (cathode) rapidly goes up. They are aggregated and completely separated into the layers of purified water and sludge.
　This phenomenon occurs as hydrogen gas is generated by mixture of sludge and the hydrogen gas completely goes to the gas-phase by agitation, causing the sludge to lose the capability to float. Then substances with heavy specific gravities go down as they are pulled by gravity and settled down. The settled down and separated environmental contaminants and purified water maintain a complete saturated condition, and it does not return to the water quality before the purification. Instead, it immediately recreates the separation and decomposition state when it is mixed. In the case of our sample, it maintains the separation and deposition state semi-permanently.

Coliforms, legionella, O-157, salmonella, and algae (chlorophyll-a) are killed by the oxidation described above. Furthermore, the system has unique electrolysis charges, and the sterilizing effect is expected as they penetrate the fungal cell membranes. Additionally, the mechanism is designed to function in multiple ways and induce rapid pH fluctuations among liquid layers.

Power 0.8Kw/h　24-hour operation
Example 1: Purification of pond/amenity water facilities (7 tons) : 200 yen/day
Example 2: Purification of circulation water (e.g. cooling tower, total vol. 20t): 4,500 yen/month The consumption power is 1/10 of conventional electrolysis systems.
(Running cost varies depending on purification conditions. Request us for a quotation.)

Even when the electrodes are contaminated, electrolysis is performed to forcibly remove the contamination by using special electronic signal based on the patented technology.
For high-viscosity materials such as dairy wastewater and clay, the solid materials such as soil need to be dissolved into water to dilute it to lower the viscosity.
There are two cases (out of 100) in which electrode contaminations occurred. In these cases, the surfaces of the electrodes are cleaned once a day to handle the situation. Although water quality analysis and chromatography analysis were conducted, the cause of electrode contaminations has not been identified.

IGADEN has developed high-power oxidation systems using electro-chemical reactions for various types of persistent wastewaters to meet customer needs (e.g. sterilization of large amount of water, decomposition of COD or ammonia).
It is a new technology allowing highly efficient decomposition including decoloration of dark-colored wastewater, COD decomposition with several tens of thousands of PPm as well as livestock wastewater.

No.
There are no same livestock/industrial wastewaters even if they are produced at the same area and same process, influenced by the factors such as feedstuff and groundwater, existing bacteria, or environmental temperature.
As water purification process contains intertwining factors and there are phenomena and matters which have not been academically explained, the purification lab test must be performed using actual wastewater for evaluation and verification to meet customer needs.

You can view examples on our website: http://www.igaden.com

Please contact us in advance, and visit us with the wastewater.
We will demonstrate the purification lab test (5 to 10 minutes) and present our technology.

Experiences of collaborative researches with national, regional, local, and public research organizations support the fine technology of the newly developed electrolysis reaction.

1.Collaborative research with University of Tsukuba
Analysis of decomposition techniques for high-concentration COD and decomposition of dioxin, collaborative project among industry, academia and government

2.Kasumigaura water purification project with Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Developing the efficient techniques for separating & collecting algae, Research & development of effective purification method for lakes and ponds

3.National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Empirical research project of dam lake purification in Japan (4 places, 5 dam lakes)

4.Collaborative research with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Verification and research for sterilization of O-157, salmonella, staphylococcus aureus, and legionella
Development of techniques for decomposition of VOC, and purification of heavy metal contaminated soil, and others

5.Local regeneration consortium project commissioned by Hokkaido Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry
Know-how transfer project of seeds for technology to develop treatment systems for highly persistent wastewater (e.g. livestock wastewater)

Participants: NARO Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Optoelectronics, Division, and others

6.Industrial Technology Institute of Ibaraki Prefecture
Verification of the sterilization effect (legionella, coliforms)

7.IBRAKI Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Public Corporation
Providing the technology for shifting to the chemical-free wastewater treatment to the stone industry association

8.Sumitomo Metal Technology Inc.
Verification of the degradation efficiency for dioxin, PCB, and VOC
Verification of hard-biodegradable wastewater treatment

9.HITACHI MAXELL LTD.
Chromatography analysis of extracted silica and scales

There are supports from research organizations mentioned above and the following organizations.

• The Science and Technology Promotion Foundation of Ibaraki
• Northern Advancement Center for Science and Technology (NOASTEC)
• Foundation for Advancement of International Science
• National Agriculture and Food Research Organization
• Industrial Technology Institute Of Ibaraki Prefecture
• Tsukuba forum aiming the recycling society
• Ibaraki Prefecture
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
• For more information, refer to Joint Study/Forum sites.

1. Bring in approximately 2 liters of wastewater for the test.
2. Specify what kinds of substances are mixed in. Also specify the present and target values for regulated items. (e.g. in ppm)Check the regulations and limits, including your company’s regulations, local water contamination limits, local government regulations and regulations and laws for effluent to sewage, river, and oceans in advance.
3. For plant wastewater: How much wastewater is produced? (daily, hourly) How many hours of operations? Total volume of the wastewater from the plants, types, systems, etc.
4. What is the gross water capacity? How much water is stored in pipes and pits in total?
5. Inform us of pre-measured pH (especially strong acid, alkali water) as they are dangerous to transfer.
6. Do not bring in any wastewater containing dioxin, hexavalent chromium, cyan, arsenic, and undiluted chemicals which are legally prohibited to move or with bad odor.
7. Some wastewater characteristics may require prior examination.

Since the electrode plates will melt in extremely strong acid, the purification treatment is reviewed after pH is adjusted.

Other than the above:

1. Current processing procedures
2. Specific purification level (e.g. values of SS, BOD, COD, PH, Ni, P, N-hexane, VOC, heavy metal, color, odor, and other materials)
3. Budget
4. For official quotations, detailed purification lab test (comparison before and after processing water) and water quality check (measurement certification) will be required at cost.
5. Review conditioned installation sites.

Refer to the data before and after purification on our website.

We provide the standard systems for cooling tower circulation water treatment as well as livestock/dairy wastewater treatment.
　Standard baths could be offered at reasonable prices; however, systems for factory wastewater treatment are all customized for each case to meet actual conditions and needs.
　Visit our website for application examples.

Movable samples such as for the lab test can be tested, but on-site test similar to an actual operation including transportation by a truck will require a quotation and test will be performed with charge.

We will provide the optimum purification system flow suitable for each site.

Basically, we offer chemical-free electrolysis systems. However, we also propose purification system using chemicals (e.g. non-organic water adjusters) if it is judged appropriate after the condition of wastewater and electrolysis efficiency are tested and the reduction in the initial cost and running cost are reviewed. For the chemicals to be used, the safety sheet is provided considering the environment aiming for a recycling society.

When the use with conventional active sludge processing, chemical treatment, or film processing saves the implementation cost, the electrolysis system is designed as an additional system.