Aerocycle Environmental Solutions Pty Limited (AES) manufactures Aerocycle Aquatherm disinfection systems used in waste water treatment systems similar to pastuerisation systems used in food and beverage production. Aerocycle Aquatherm disinfection systems recover 98% of all energy input.
AESÂ provides a wide range of solutions to treating all grades of wastewater using its proprietary technology, Aerocycle Aquatherm. AES couples Aerocycle Aquatherm disinfection systems with other components i.e. filtration to produce treatment train resulting in packaged waste water treatment systems for: laboratories, agriculture, mining and property development.
The Aerocycle Aquatherm Treatment System providing reclaimed water for reuse within the Department of Health and Aging Building (DOHA), Phillip ACT, achieves given objectives/outcomes in water quality, environmental and public safety.
Aerocycle Aquatherm Treatment System installed at The Sirius Building headquarters for the Department of Health and Aging Building (DOHA), Phillip ACT.
Aerocycle Aquatherm System operation meets the requirements HACCP Codex Alimentarius Alinorm 97/13A which exceeds all regulatory standards in Australia for the treatment of waste water and reuse. It is based upon the principle that food safety is best ensured through the identification and control of hazards in the production, manufacturing and handling of food as described in the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, adopted by the joint WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission.
The use of HACCP and best practice arrangements for reclaimed (recycled) water is clearly the best available method of safeguarding human and environmental health.
Design
The design and construction of the Aerocycle Aquatherm considers safety-in-design, operability and maintainability. To this end, all recycled projects incorporate a risk assessment during the design process. Design of the Aerocycle Aquatherm treatment system for the Sirius Building was undertaken with stakeholder input assisted by HACCAP, AS/NZS: 4360 Risk Management and the Australian Guidelines of Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 1)
AES documented the process and ensured changes arising were incorporated into the final design of the recycled project which resulted in submission of a Recycled Water Quality Management Plan (RWQMP) to the ACT Government for approval to build and operate incorporated risk assessment and design.
Intended Uses and Users of Reclaimed Water
The intended use of reclaimed water is to be used for toilet flushing only. The users will be building occupants and visitors.
The source water conditions data were obtained from existing sites and the Australian Guidelines of Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 1)
Operational Process of Aerocycle Aquatherm Treatment System
Start – Source grey water from showers and hand basins ONLY
Stage 1 – Primary filtration
Grey water pre-screened via inline screen diverting solids, primarily hair, to sewage.
Stage 2 – Collection
Grey water stored in collection tank. All connections and diversions to AS/NZS 3500:2003 – National Plumbing and Drainage Code.
Stage 3 – Filtration
Grey water pumped from collection tank under pressure through filters
Filters have been a combination of activated carbon and zeolite
Automated backwashing of filters controlled by Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
Stage 4 – Disinfection
1A: Grey water to be disinfected enters pre-heater exchanger side 1A and exits side 1A. No mixing between 2B and 4.
2B: Grey water to be disinfected enters primary heat exchanger side 2B.
Heat exchange from side 2A to 2B provided by isolated hot water circulating at predetermined functional flow rate. Hot water enters side 2A and exits side 2A to heat source. Hot water flow and temperature is dependant upon application of product post disinfection.
Disinfected product exits side 2B.
3: Disinfected product enters dwell tank 3 for a predetermined dwell time dependant upon fit for purpose use.
Heat works to denature proteins (which are present in bacteria, viruses, all living things etc) Denaturing changes the proteins shape therefore renders their function inactive. Since DNA, RNA, vitamins, hormones and major structural components are all made of proteins, denaturing is used to lethal affect.
4: Disinfected product exits dwell tank and returns to pre-heater exchanger side 4B. Heat transfer from side 4B to side 1A. No mixing of water sources
Disinfected product exits pre-heater exchanger at side 4B at predetermined Log Mean Temperature Differential (LMTD), which have been 2 degrees C. If wastewater enters the Aerocycle Aquatherm disinfection system at 20 degrees C it is heated to 95 degrees C ONLY (guaranteeing 100% kill of all bacteria, viruses etc) and exits the system at 22 degrees C ready for application/reuse. Therefore a LMTD of 2 degrees C exists.
Stage 5 – Chlorine residual
Chlorine residual administered to exiting treated water as per the rate 0.7 – 0.5 mg/Lt.
The residual free chlorine is the concentration of chlorine left in water after initial treatment. It has the power to react on subsequent contamination of the water. Residual disinfectant makes an important contribution to ensuring microbial safety of drinking water (e.g., WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality recommend a minimum residual concentration of free chlorine of ≥0.5 mg/litre after at least 30 minutes contact time)
Stage 6 – Discharge and storage in reclaimed water tank
Reclaimed water stored in tank. All connections and diversions to AS/NZS 3500:2003 – National Plumbing and Drainage Code
Stage 8 – Delivery
Multistage pumps delivering reclaimed water to toilets throughout building
Finish – Reclaimed water used for dual reticulation
Identification, Control and Monitoring of Critical Control Points In Operation
Critical control points (CCP) are uncovered by applying HACCP principles to identify specific points which control can be applied to prevent or eliminate a hazard or reduce it to an acceptable level:
An example of a CCP in waste water treatment is disinfection, which is essential to eliminate pathogens in reclaimed water. Other CCPs are: filtration and chlorine.
Operational monitoring of disinfection in Aerocycle Aqutherm
Aerocycle Aquatherm disinfects source water expressly through the use of heat. Heat works to denature proteins (which are present in bacteria, viruses, all living things etc) Denaturing changes the proteins shape therefore renders their function inactive. Since DNA, RNA, vitamins, hormones and major structural components are all made of proteins, denaturing is used to lethal affect.
Aerocycle Aquatherm achieves the above using a technique applied in microbiology, milk and food production called high-temperature, short holding time (HTST) pasteurisation. The source water is forced between metal plates heated on the outside by hot water to a temperature of 95 degC for a specified time dependant on fit for purpose applications.
Through the process of risk assessment and HACCP, the maintenance of temperature, has been identified as a Critical Control Point. Aerocycle Aquatherm monitors this Critical Control Point by setting a Critical Limit (86 degC) and an Operational Limit (95 degC) to thermally destruct all microbial organisms. These limits have been set in reference to established heat inactivation kinetics
The system achieves this by process controls continuously monitoring water temperature in the disinfection circuit. This information is communicated to the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). If the Operational Limit is breached corrections are made instantly by the PLC. The PLC controlling processes in Aerocycle Aquatherm is programmed to:
No.1- Instantly activate the system to circulate influent within the disinfection system internally until the Operational Limit is recovered, or
No. 2- Shutdown the system if the Operational Limit is not recovered within a specified time
Why engineers and developers selected Aerocycle Aquatherm for the project?
AES approach to continual improvement to meet customer needs and satisfaction is demonstrated through the achievement of International HACCP Certification for the design and operation of Aerocycle Aquatherm. AES maintains this international certification which provides assurance to customers Aerocycel Aquatherm treatment systems are 100% safe and meet the highest safety and environmental requirements afforded by its use in food and beverage production and wastewater treatment.
Aerocycle Aquatherm features
Please read the information sheet on Aerocycle Aquatherm
- Aerocycle Aquatherm disinfection systems recover 98% of all energy input
- The ongoing cost to operate and maintain is 80% cheaper than current alternatives
- Lowest capital cost
- No chemicals
- No ongoing consumable replacemet costs i.e UV (Ultra Violet) lamps and toxic chemicals
- Small carbon footprint
- Easily mobilised to and from sites
- Specified by accredited assessors of the Green Building Council of Australia for use in 5 Green Star rating property development
- Exceeds the World Health Organisation and the US Environmental Protection Authority guidelines for the destruction of pathogens in potable water, and sewage effluent for re-use
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