BioCell - BioChip Media

The BioChip was developed based on considerable experience gained in ihe operation of numerous different types of conventional biofilm carrier media. Moreover, the developer and manufacturer of the BioChip possesses a considerable process data pool resulting from a vast number of pilot trials and from the operation of numerous implemented large-scale plants operated with the high-performance carrier. Based on this data. we are able to provide the purchasers of the carrier media with basic design calculations, information on additionally required equipment (e. g. aeration and carrier media retention system), competent technical support and after-sales service; no matter if it is about MBBR. IFAS or Anammox process.

• Circular up to 0 25-30 mm
• Thickness- 1.1 mm
• Virgin PE material
• Active surface area more than 4.000 m`/m*
• Biomass concentration specified ace. to the application purpose

High removal performance
The BioChip has a protected active surface area of more than 4.000 m*/ms. which has been scientifically certified, whereas the most competing products provide only between 500 and 800 m*/ms as per the statements of the respective suppliers. Taking into consideration only this particular point, the removal performance of the BioChip is correspondingly higher per mJ of carrier media.

Moreover, the BioChip has further specific characteristics which increase the removal performance: the biofilms which establish inside the pores are kept very thin due to self-cleaning by shear forces which work on the outer side of the carrier (resulting from the carrier`s movement in the wastewater) whereas, with regard to the diffusion depth of biofilms. thin biofilms are essential for an optimal substrate and oxygen transfer from the water to the microorganisms. In conjunction with the particular motion characteristics, measured biodegradation rates of the BioChip and its previous model in comparative trials with "conventional` media were up to 4-6 times higher than those of conventional carrier, considering the similar bulk volume of the different carrier types.

No clogging
The BioChip has a very fine and detailed pore system which provides the large surface area of 4,000 mVm*. In fact, the biofilms on the BioChip establish inside the pores. Inside the pore system, the biofilms are protected from any mechanical influence, for example resulting from shear forces. Clogging shall mean the unintended and uncontrolled growth of microorganisms as it can be observed with many conventional lube-shaped carriers, particularly in wastewater with high loads of readily biodegradable COD. The BioChip is prevented from clogging due to its specific shape and motion characteristics: The movement of the carrier elements in the wastewater creates shear forces at the outside of the BioChip carriers, which permanently abrade the biomass growing out of the pores. Consequently, the biofilms are permanently thin and the optimal transfer of substrate, nutrients and oxygen from the wastewater to all biofilm layers is ensured. Clogged earner elements are characterized by thick biofilms which do not allow for the deeper biofilm layers being supplied with substrate, nutrients and oxygen. Consequently, these deeper layers are not at all or only hardly biologically active, whereas the thick biofilms reduce the surface area purposed for the attachment of active microorganisms, resulting in a decrease in biodegradation capacity.

Since 2008 (market launch after several years of R&D), BioChip have been successfully operated in a vast number of WWTP`s in countries all over the world without any reports related to clogging effects.

High process stability
Due to the fact that the optimally thin biofilms on the BioChip are controlled in their thickness by the  aforementioned self-cleaning effect due  to shear forces,  the removal  performance is maintained at a highly constant level (no decrease in performance caused by thick biofilms as with "conventional" tubular carriers). Especially (or the end-customer, the stability of the biological treatment process is a highly important criterion in order to not exceed the required effluent parameters at any time.

Smaller footprint of the reaction tanks
The high biodegradation performance of the BioChip carrier allows for using less carrier volume Ihan with "conventional" carriers since there is less BioChip volume required for providing the similar protected active surface area. This fact is highly beneficial for customers as they can save money due to smaller tank volumes and it is a crucial feature when there is only limited space available when building a new WWTP. BioChip

• Reserve capacity = easy and quick upgrade at any time
• Energy savings potential
• Low transport costs due to less required carrier volume
• Favorable price - surface area ratio
• Abrasion and wear
• No plasticizers, no recycled plastics