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Aussie breakthrough in sewage treatment technology
EXTRA: TWO of Australia’s most innovative companies, Australian Innovative Systems (AIS) and Taylex have collaborated to create a world-first sewage treatment system that eliminates chemical use.
Instead, the AIS-Taylex system treats ‘black’ and ‘grey’ using submerged electrolytic chlorinators.
AIS, a Brisbane-based world leader in water disinfection technology, was approached by home sewage treatment and water tanks specialist Taylex to help create a simpler, safer and more affordable alternative for sewage treatment. The collaborative result delivered a breakthrough in sewage treatment technology.
AIS CEO Elena Gosse said sewage has traditionally been treated with a cocktail of chemicals such as chlorine dioxide, chlorine tablets or sodium hypochlorite combined with ozone-based technology. 
This had resulted in “an endless and expensive cycle” of regular chemical ordering, delivery and storage. Electrolysis was not considered a viable technology for treating low-salinity black water due to a desired mineral/salt total dissolved solids (TDS) level of 5,000ppm upwards for the technology to be effectively employed.
In collaboration with Taylex, AIS modified its existing AutoChlo system – which operates at TDS levels as low as 2,500 ppm – for a Taylex treatment plant.
Ms Gosse said the AutoChlor system is now processing 2,000-5,000 litres of sewage daily without the need for expensive and hazardous chemical dosing and the technology is now in operation in various other sewage treatment projects.
Taylex director Alistair Le Plastrier said he was delighted with the result of the companies’ teamwork.
“At first we didn’t know if chlorine generation using electrolysis was possible in low salinity waste water or if it was going to be commercially viable,” Mr Le Plastrier said.
“Producing chlorine via the electrolytic cells and within the treatment water itself, is proving simple, easy and economical. Ultimately we think this will be far better for installers, operators, and maintenance staff also.”
Ms Gosse said the customised AIS technology was “the last line of defence” against waterborne pathogens for Taylex’s black and grey water.
Effluent leaving the primary chambers is broken down by anaerobic and then aerobic bacteria. The water is then separated from biomass before going through a two-step disinfection regime.
In the first step, ultra-violet light (UV) is applied to water that is super-chlorinated by a submerged, purpose-built AIS chlorine generator. Water is then disinfected a second time in an adjacent chamber via a second AIS chlorine generator. AIS’s own designed and manufactured Genuine AIS Anodes feature in the technology.
“AIS conducts all research, development and manufacturing from our Brisbane based headquarters and three production facilities,” Ms Gosse said. “We pride ourselves on our reputation for continuous innovation and creative thinking.
“Our staff are employed in a range of roles including, micro-electronics, chemistry, power systems, electrical and mechanical engineering, water system design, assembly, metalworking and plumbing meaning we have the technical knowledge on site in order to create highly customised solutions for clients.
“The fact that we design and manufacture our own power systems and are the only Australian water disinfection company to manufacture our own high quality anodes also offers our clients tremendous flexibility in the case of custom designing systems.”
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POSTED JULY 23, 2014
