Problem of bulking and grease trap, sludge and odor control

Question

Hi, I'm Inaam. Recently I have started to market magical bio-products - bacteria and enzyme based for wastewater treatment. These products are supposed to consume the FOGS in drains and grease pipes and also to reduce sludge in the tanks. We are talking here of small wastewater treatment plants of 400m3 / day average capacity which are in resorts
These products work to a certain extent but create some other problems mainly increased bulking . And with bulking comes the problem of odor. Unfortunately, I realised that manufacturer / supplier does not know or does not have the technical background to help solve the problem. And on top, on the island that I'm currently in, there is no specialist on wastewater treatment as such as almost all plant except one are inefficient. 
My question is: is there anyone who has the experience to solve problem of bulking and grease trap? If yes, what are the parameters that we need to control to have a wastewater treatment plant working efficiently  less sludge and no odor.
Thanks

Roberto Jesus Flores Jiménez · Answer

Hi think first  try to reduce the entrance of grease into the system and also considere increment the maintenance of the trap, make sure plenty space for sludge disposal, measure the amount of bulk grease to be removed from the trap, mesure the amount of the grease entrance into the trap, analyze the components of the grease in a away to identify the sources if possible, the data collection should follow.a protocol and quality control standard, at least; then you need to talk to an expert on the field you trust, hope this might help you in the meantime

Don Sharpe · Answer

It is difficult for you. and it does depend on the treatment plant, which follows.  I have used the mixture of surfactant, bacteria and enzymes under certain circumstances.  Where there is a significant level of FOG it takes a long time to clear pipework.  It is hoped that the enzyme and bacteria will digest the fat, but it does depend on the temperature of the water and how far it is from the treatment plant.  Almost certainly some fat will flow down undigested and some will be partly digested.  If the system is aerated then there is a group of bacteria called Nocardia (Nocardioform) which use fats and component of fats to form a detergent which helps them become dominant.  They are highly branched and when aerated with air blowers, they are forced to the surface where they can grow advantageously.  The problem is that even if a DAF is used before the aeration system, by using the mixture means that fat components may carry through the DAF.  Nocardia also trap floc in the matrix so the material looks brown or grey.
It is also possible that the COD loading has increased caused by additional fat or fat components reaching the plant and there is insufficient oxygen in the plant.
Other filamentous bacteria can also grow under these conditions adding to bulking issues.
Because I don't work with sewage plants but industrial, food and dairy effluent treatment plants, I am careful what is added.  Enzymes can alter the food so that  the floc-forming bacteria can't recognise the food, other normally slower growing filamentous bacteria so they tend to out grow them.  So I am very wary about adding enzymes on a continuous basis. 
On the other hand, I have successfully used a mixture similar to what you have used without a problem taking place.  In each case it was only for a short time to remove a specific problem of fat forming a thick layer on the surface of a tank.  In that case it was carefully dosed including spraying the surface with a liquid mixture and mixing from underneath.  The filamentous bacteria did not have time to become dominant.
As far as smell is concerned, you don't describe the smells involved.  There are two which could be caused by it.  If certain filamentous bacteria grow they can produce a smell, which is best described as drain smell.  If the oxygen level of the plant drops or there is insufficient oxygen transfer anaerobic bacteria grow and these produce smells ranging from rotten cabbage to bad egg smells.  This is because they use sulphur as the electron acceptor in place of oxygen.  Whereas the end point of oxygen is carbon dioxide, the end point using sulphur may vary from hydrogen sulphide to mercaptan to carbon disulphide. They are a sign that there is insufficient oxygen being transferred into the water.  By increasing air it will reduce the anaerobic growth, but may cause sludge to rise because of the high filamentous growth.
To assist further, you would need to tell us what the treatment plant is and how it is controlled.
Please note I am not saying that bacteria or enzymes shouldn't be added because under certain circumstances they can be very useful.  They should done under careful control and with understanding.

Nicholas Addison · Answer

Pro Clean Water can be used to remove hydrocarbons, chemicals and some heavy metals from wastewater. Completely natural, can be used as a secondary chamber after a FAT trap that uses a cold water baffle or independently if FOGs are emulsified.

Steven Safferman · Answer

Attached is an article that may be of interest that explains the use of a secondary treatment system after the trap.

Guy McGowen · Answer

I am afraid you are using the wrong biological tool for the job. As you have discovered bacteria trying to do the job of another microbial group comes with its own set of problems. The sludge and grease traps use a 3rd group of microbes. They are called Archaea. Their  5 billion year natural function is to breakdown ALL organic matter to its elemental state. (the original recycler). When finished nothing left to dispose.  It was available in South Africa. If not now you can always start your own business selling and cleaning grease traps across the Continent.  Details upon request.

Mark Milne · Answer

Roberto is right "try to reduce the entrance of grease into the system". Make sure grease traps are separate from sanitary sewer as combined traps stink very bad.
When you say bulking, could you describe, do you have access to a microscope. Norcardia (sp) is a common problem for plants seeing grease and can be controlled some what with an anoxic zone and/or chlorine in the recycle line.

Agustinus Adi Anto · Answer

From your statement above, there are some point that I need to have the same vision with you:
Magical Bio Products: Is it possible that this magical bioproducts is basically solvent base organic compound instead of Bacteria and Enzyme?  In my understanding, Enzyme, Bacteria  and waste must have the same phase (Liquid phase), and unlikely it can consume FOG in in pipe and Grease Trap without any stirring (fluidizing).  
 
Odor: Odor is always a clue that Dissolved oxygen content in your waste water is very low.  This condition is creating anoxid or anaerobic condition whic will release unpleasant odor that come from H2S formation.  
 
Bulking : Is the condition when your F/M ratio is very high, or it is also caused by unbalance Nutrient condition in Waste Water
 
In your case:
1. If the Magical bio products is a solvent, then consider to minimize its usage
2. For the grase trap, the odor that come out from Grease trap can be minimizze by daily acativity to manually remove this grease and consider to install exhaust van to suck out the H2S formation in Grrase Trap
3. Sludge Bulking and Odor: Please check your aeration system (Blower and Diffuser) and check your RAS/WAS system
 
Hope it will help...

E. Hugh Pettman · Answer

Inaan.....use natures way.....biology.......we have several waste water treatment plants using a 100% natural organic product that is biodegradable.
see  --  www.biophysics-research.net
Email me directly for assistance:  pettman@soleco-technology.com
 
Regards, Dr. EHP.

Dave Gaybba · Answer

Hi Inaam, I can propose a plant extract based product that will physically reduce and break down FOG as well as reduce/prevent odour in the system. It will also drastically improve the outflow quality in respect to Phosphate, Phosphorus, Nitrate, Ammonia, Heavy Metals etc...
dave@makroorganics.com

Don Sharpe · Answer

It is difficult for you. and it does depend on the treatment plant, which follows.  I have used the mixture of surfactant, bacteria and enzymes under certain circumstances.  Where there is a significant level of FOG it takes a long time to clear pipework.  It is hoped that the enzyme and bacteria will digest the fat, but it does depend on the temperature of the water and how far it is from the treatment plant.  Almost certainly some fat will flow down undigested and some will be partly digested.  If the system is aerated then there is a group of bacteria called Nocardia (Nocardioform) which use fats and component of fats to form a detergent which helps them become dominant.  They are highly branched and when aerated with air blowers, they are forced to the surface where they can grow advantageously.  The problem is that even if a DAF is used before the aeration system, by using the mixture means that fat components may carry through the DAF.  Nocardia also trap floc in the matrix so the material looks brown or grey.
It is also possible that the COD loading has increased caused by additional fat or fat components reaching the plant and there is insufficient oxygen in the plant.
Other filamentous bacteria can also grow under these conditions adding to bulking issues.
Because I don't work with sewage plants but industrial, food and dairy effluent treatment plants, I am careful what is added.  Enzymes can alter the food so that  the floc-forming bacteria can't recognise the food, other normally slower growing filamentous bacteria so they tend to out grow them.  So I am very wary about adding enzymes on a continuous basis. 
On the other hand, I have successfully used a mixture similar to what you have used without a problem taking place.  In each case it was only for a short time to remove a specific problem of fat forming a thick layer on the surface of a tank.  In that case it was carefully dosed including spraying the surface with a liquid mixture and mixing from underneath.  The filamentous bacteria did not have time to become dominant.
As far as smell is concerned, you don't describe the smells involved.  There are two which could be caused by it.  If certain filamentous bacteria grow they can produce a smell, which is best described as drain smell.  If the oxygen level of the plant drops or there is insufficient oxygen transfer anaerobic bacteria grow and these produce smells ranging from rotten cabbage to bad egg smells.  This is because they use sulphur as the electron acceptor in place of oxygen.  Whereas the end point of oxygen is carbon dioxide, the end point using sulphur may vary from hydrogen sulphide to mercaptan to carbon disulphide. They are a sign that there is insufficient oxygen being transferred into the water.  By increasing air it will reduce the anaerobic growth, but may cause sludge to rise because of the high filamentous growth.
To assist further, you would need to tell us what the treatment plant is and how it is controlled.
Please note I am not saying that bacteria or enzymes shouldn't be added because under certain circumstances they can be very useful.  They should done under careful control and with understanding.

Problem of bulking and grease trap, sludge and odor control

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