Biofuture Ltd products

The main problem with the effluent from the processing of vegetable oils such as palm oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil, etc. is the large amounts of oils present. These create major problems by coating drains, pumps, pumping stations, inlet screens and primary clarifiers. In many activated sludge plants excessive quantities of oils can give rise to Nocardia foaming which causes major operational problems. While the bulk of the oils are removed in Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) units or grease interceptors the remainder must be treated in the wastewater treatment system. Other components of the effluent such as plant organic material contribute to an effluent with a high BOD.

Grease and fats in pump sumps and lift stations cause a number of major problems. The problems arising from grease in these systems include: -

Biological degradation of fats and greases, proteins, lactose and other organic materials in dairy effluents. The main problem with the effluent from dairies is the large amounts of animal fats present. These cause major problems by coating drains, pumps, pumping stations, inlet screens and primary clarifiers. In many activated sludge plants excessive quantities of fat can give rise to Nocardia foaming which causes major operational problems. While the bulk of the fats/grease is removed in Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) units or grease interceptors the remainder must be treated in the wastewater treatment system. Other components of the effluent such as proteins and lactose contribute to an effluent with a high BOD. The seasonal nature of the dairy industry results in high loads and flows, particularly in spring/early summer.

Biological removal of partially degraded and soluble organic materials in landfill leachate. The waste in domestic landfill sites is largely composed of degradable organic material. Of the total some 40% is paper while another 30% is composed of vegetable waste. The environment within the landfill is anaerobic as any air trapped in the waste is quickly used up by microbial activity. The anaerobic activity within the landfill results in the production of methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia and water.

Facultative biological degradation of a wide range of organic materials to simple organic acids. The anaerobic digestion process consists of two separate phases - Phase I and Phase II. In Phase I organic molecules in the influent are converted into simple organic acids such as acetic and propionic acids. This process is known as acetogenesis. In Phase II these simple organic acids are converted to methane. This part of the process is known as methanogenesis. Since the end product of Phase I provides the food for Phase II it is essential that it functions efficiently. Phase I can function under facultative conditions while Phase II is strictly anaerobic. In many cases it is the poor functioning of Phase I that gives rise to problems in anaerobic digestion.

Septic tanks are widely used in rural areas where there is no sewage collection system and it is necessary to treat domestic wastewater. Untreated wastewater from the house or group of houses flows into the septic tank where the solids separate from the liquids. The majority of the solids settle to the bottom where they are liquefied slowly. Lighter solids such as grease, fats and soaps float to the surface and form the scum layer. The septic tank is designed to retain the solids in the tank. The liquid passes out of the septic tank and into a percolation system or soakaway.

Oil spills on concrete, paved areas, garage forecourts and driveways create an unsightly stain on the surface. Since the oil doesn`t mix with water it can`t be simply washed away. The traditional solution to this problem is to use a blend of solvents and surfactants that are hazardous to use and which create problems in interceptors and drains because they are very difficult to degrade. BFL Oil Clean provides an alternative to traditional approaches to the removal of these stains. It combines the benefits of biodegradable surfactants with the advantages of microbial technology at a neutral pH.

BFL OilCept is a product specifically formulated to accelerate the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in oil interceptors. BFL OilCept reduces the maintenance time and costs associated with the management of such systems. As the oil accumulates on the surface of the water in the interceptor, it forms an insulating layer which prevents oxygen from getting to the lower layers. The result is generation of anaerobic conditions. Associated with anaerobic conditions are foul odours and sulphides which as well as scavenging available oxygen, also form corrosive compounds.

Biological break down of the many compounds found in hydrocarbon contaminated soils. In many sites contaminated by hydrocarbons the natural microbial population is unable to degrade the oil compounds. The result is that oil spills in soils remain for years and prevent growth of grass or other plants. The hydrocarbons are also toxic to many soil organisms which are an integral part of the soil ecology such as worms, beetles, etc. The traditional solution has been to excavate the soil and dispose of it. The soil removed is replaced by clean topsoil. Since the excavated soil is contaminated with hydrocarbons it is treated as special waste and can only be accepted by special landfill sites under licence.