Blog

As a global leader in corrosion control technologies, with a subsidiary that specializes in biological wastewater treatment, Cortec® Corporation is in a unique position to make life easier for wastewater treatment plant operators. Biological treatments from Cortec’s subsidiary Bionetix® International help plants get on track for more efficient waste processing after plant upsets or imbalances, while simple and effective corrosion and preventative maintenance solutions from Cortec® bid to help plant equipment and facilities last longer in a notoriously corrosive environment. Here is a closer look at how these strategies work and the problems they address.

Let Microbes Eat Away Your Wastewater Troubles

Wastewater treatment plants rely on naturally occurring microorganisms to break down waste substances. Practically speaking, the microorganisms feed on the waste and eliminate it from water and/or convert toxins into harmless substances that can be safely discharged back to the environment. However, this delicate balance is easily upset. Temperature fluctuations can slow down microbial activity in cool weather or encourage growth of unwanted substances in hot weather. A sudden influx of waste reflected by a high BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) can overload the system, choking it for oxygen and increasing bad odors as the natural biological mechanism switches from aerobic to anaerobic digestion. Startup and reseeding are also sensitive periods when it can be difficult to get a good microbial colony established in time to handle a heavy new load of waste materials.

Bionetix® International comes to the rescue with bioaugmentation, the addition of “good” bacteria to help with industrial waste and sewage cleanup. These biological “reinforcements” help tackle sewage overload in general and target specific contaminants in particular. BCP50™ is one treatment that provides a good microbial population for seeding a new municipal wastewater treatment system. It can also reduce sludge and odors in lagoons. BCP11™ is well-suited to digesting wastewater from chemical plants, while BCP22™ is targeted to digest FOG (fats, oils, and greases). Operators can remove high levels of ammonia with BCP655™, a bioconverter that in certain conditions acts better than nitrifiers. Rather than converting nitrogen to another form that requires further denitrification, BCP655™ removes nitrogen from wastewater by consuming compounds such as ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite—even in cool weather and at lower pH.

Do Not Let Corrosion Eat Away Your Structures and Equipment

The main activity of wastewater treatment does not negate the significance of maintenance at a wastewater treatment plant. A rich supply of moisture, H2S, and contaminants in the wastewater treatment environment creates a perfect recipe for corrosion, threatening to accelerate the deterioration of structures and equipment. An especially critical area is corrosion protection of electronics and electricals. In these days of ever-increasing reliance on technology, wastewater treatment operations are controlled by HMIs (human machine interfaces) and other automatic devices that regulate pumps and equipment throughout the plant and the municipality that it serves. Replacement of these electronics due to corrosion is extremely costly and can add up quickly if corrosion failures are frequent. Moreover, critical equipment failure can have serious effects on plant functions.

Electricals/Electronics Protection

Fortunately, Cortec® has extremely simple answers for electronics and electricals. VpCI®-105 or VpCI®-111 Emitters are self-adhesive devices easy to stick inside a control panel. These devices emit Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors, which adsorb on metal surfaces within the enclosure to form a protective molecular layer that disrupts the normal corrosion reaction. VpCI® Emitters can be supplemented by spraying ElectriCorr™ VpCI®-238 or ElectriCorr™ VpCI®-239 over exposed electrical contacts (when the panel is powered down). This leaves behind a clear protective film that is effective even on electrical or electronics panels that are vented or not fully enclosed. A third step is to apply Corrosorber® cups. Similar to VpCI® Emitters, Corrosorbers are self-adhesive. Unlike VpCI® Emitters, they do not emit active corrosion inhibitors. Instead, they absorb H2S, helping make the environment inside a control panel less corrosive. By following this general prescription, one municipal wastewater treatment operation was able to significantly reduce the failure of HMIs located at pumphouses throughout the city, saving significant replacement costs with a price tag ranging from $15,000 to $40,000 apiece every six months.

Structural Protection

Corrosion also takes its toll on structures within the plant. Metal railings, beams, tanks, walkways, and even equipment can benefit from an anticorrosive coating. Where rust has already set in, it should be removed, or else arrested with CorrVerter® Rust Converter Primer. Applied to corroded surfaces where loose rust has been brushed off, this fast-drying water-based primer converts remaining rust into a passive layer. VpCI®-373 is an anticorrosion primer that helps with good bonding to aluminum and galvanized substrates, while VpCI®-396 or VpCI®-384 serve as tough urethane topcoats for protection in harsh, unsheltered applications. For equipment that needs an unnoticeable layer of corrosion protection, VpCI®-386 clear can be applied directly over painted surfaces.

Concrete structures such as tanks, pillars, or floors should also be protected. MCI®-2026 Floor Coating is an excellent choice for protecting concrete floors from chemical ingress and physical wear and tear. Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors can be added to new concrete structures as admixtures (e.g., MCI®-2005) or to existing structures as surface applied corrosion inhibitors (SACIs) (e.g., MCI®-2020). Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors slow time to corrosion and reduce corrosion rates once started.

Plant Maintenance

General plant maintenance can also benefit from a little extra protection here and there. For instance, CorrLube™ VpCI® Lithium EP Grease is a lithium complex grease that can be used in applications where NLGI grade 2 grease with added corrosion protection is needed. For NLGI grade 3 applications in severely corrosive environments, Cortec® offers EcoLine® Biobased Grease powered by Nano VpCI®. This multipurpose grease has superior corrosion protection properties and contains 86% USDA certified biobased content as an environmental “sustainability” side benefit. EcoLine® Cleaner/Degreaser also includes biobased content plus flash corrosion protection for metal cleanup tasks.

Make Life Easier for Wastewater Treatment Operators

Wastewater treatment can be a messy business with constant maintenance and oversight activities to perform. Together, Cortec® and Bionetix® are here to help make life easier for wastewater treatment plant operators by taking simple steps of bioaugmentation and corrosion preventative maintenance. Contact Cortec®/Bionetix® today for further help or a tailored solution! Cortec® corrosion and preventative maintenance solutions:
https://www.cortecvci.com/contact-us/

Bionetix® wastewater treatment solutions: https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

Keywords: Cortec, Bionetix, wastewater treatment, bioaugmentation, corrosion control, preventative maintenance, corrosion protection, MRO, corrosion protection of electronics and electricals, Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors

For a PDF version please click here.

Bionetix^® International is excited to introduce its newest probiotic waste-digesting deodorizing concentrate: ABC 9000™! This new water-soluble probiotic powder concentrate is designed for manufacturers to use as an additive in formulating a wide range of products. With its multi-spore bacteria blend, ABC 9000™ is effective in numerous applications where it is necessary to remove wastes/stains or control and mask odors.

The non-pathogenic bacillus blend of ABC 9000™ attacks a variety of complex organic compounds and digests them, helping remove stains and odor-producing compounds. For further odor control, formulators can choose from ABC 9000™ in a pine, floral, or custom fragrance to mask unpleasant odors. ABC 9000™ also comes in a wide selection of colors—light green, blue, pink, off-white, or custom—for better aesthetic blending with the final product:

• Cat litter
• Carpet cleaners
• Powder and liquid laundry detergents
• Deodorizers (e.g., odor control powder or solids)
• And other water-soluble cleaners!

As a powder concentrate, ABC 9000™ also offers an economical approach to formulating probiotic products. Possible formulation scenarios include the following:

• A manufacturer wants to create a new self-deodorizing cat litter product that not only masks odors from the cat box but also keeps them under control by helping digest some of the waste materials. The manufacturer chooses a preferred fragrance and color of ABC 9000™ and adds the powder to the cat litter formula for improved cat box maintenance.
• A formulator wants to design a probiotic carpet cleaner that will tackle stains and remove odors from food spills or other soils. The formulator adds ABC 9000™ powder to the cleaner for deep-cleaning and deodorizing power along with a fresh pine or lavender smell.
• A laundry detergent company wants a probiotic detergent for washing clothes with heavy stains and odors. They select a custom fragrance of ABC 9000™, add the probiotic blend to the detergent, and market the final product for heavy-duty industrial laundering.

Many similar options exist for formulators who need to add a probiotic boost to their cleaning or deodorizing product. ABC 9000™ offers formulators flexibility while harnessing the technology of nature for enhanced product effectiveness. As a 1 billion CFU/g powder product, a little ABC 9000™ goes a long way to maximize storage space and cleaning/odor control power! Contact Bionetix^® to learn more about ABC 9000™:
https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

Keywords: probiotic additive, bacillus blend, odor control, self deodorizing cat litter, laundry detergent additive, probiotic detergent, carpet deodorizer, powder deodorizer, Bionetix, probiotic carpet cleaner

For a PDF version please click here.

Today’s cleaning and maintenance landscape encompasses a growing “green” culture that emphasizes sustainability and environmental protection. But some things remain the same. A bad smell is still a bad smell, and facilities of all kinds still need routine cleaning. The exciting news is that Bionetix® has made it possible to tackle two maintenance problems at once with its new five-in-one probiotic cleaner/odor neutralizer concentrate, HYGIEA2401™, for more efficient cleaning and deodorization.

Dual Cleaning and Odor Control
The primary advantage of HYGIEA2401™ concentrate is that it cleans surfaces and neutralizes odors simultaneously, making cleanup faster and easier. Furthermore, instead of simply masking over odors with a powerful fragrance, HYGIEA2401™ destroys the odor-causing compounds themselves for long-lasting impact. HYGIEA2401™ is a probiotic cleaning concentrate that works in five ways:

1. Physically, by encapsulating molecules that cause bad odors
2. Chemically, by binding substances that cause bad odors
3. Biologically, by degrading and digesting organic odor-causing molecules
4. Thoroughly, by tackling the source of the smell and cleaning it off with strong, biodegradable detergents
5. Pleasantly, by covering malodors immediately with specially-formulated long-lasting fragrances.

These mechanisms provide a powerful combination for tackling almost any multipurpose cleaning task where odors are strong. The following cleaning applications are perfect candidates.

Garbage and Recycling Facilities/Containers
Garbage pails, garbage cans, garbage trucks, and dumpsters are notoriously smelly. With today’s expanding “circular economy,” the odors once confined to these receptacles are now showing up in regular or organics recycling bins full of empty milk cartons or rotting banana peels. HYGIEA2401™ is great for cleaning and deodorizing these containers where bad smells often linger.

Bathrooms, Fitness Centers, and Pet Rooms
Restrooms are another environment that need regular cleaning and odor control, especially public restrooms where spilling is common under toilets and urinals. Fitness centers battle sweat and body odors in addition to standard cleanup. Pets, however lovable and well trained, are another source of filth and odor left behind on cat-boxes, kennels, and even around the house on carpet and furniture. HYGIEA2401™ is great for cleaning these high odor areas because it can simultaneously provide long-term deodorization on a variety of hard and fabric surfaces.

Choose Greater, ‘Greener’ Cleaning Efficiency
HYGIEA2401™ offers great flexibility as a concentrate that comes in 10X and 20X versions. For starters, shipping and storing a concentrate is more economical than transporting and storing a ready-to-use (RTU) product. Furthermore, cleaning supply companies can dilute HYGIEA2401™ and repackage it into their own custom formulation, or large account cleaning services can buy it in bulk for their own use. Whatever the case, the probiotic cleaning and deodorizing power of HYGIEA2401™ offers great efficiency to tackle smelly cleaning tasks with a “green” cleaner that is gentler on the environment. Contact Bionetix® to learn more about HYGIEA2401™ for cleaning and odor control needs: https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

Keywords: probiotic cleaner, Bionetix, cleaner deodorizer, cleaning recycling bins, restroom odor control, pet odor removal, circular economy, green cleaner, restroom cleaning, probiotic cleaning concentrate

Need a High-Resolution Photo?  Please Visit: www.cortecadvertising.com

For a PDF version please click here.

Factories that make chemicals or use chemicals in their manufacturing processes face special wastewater treatment challenges. In a high chemical environment, it is difficult for biological wastewater treatment microorganisms to flourish and survive. A low level of dissolved oxygen makes biological treatment even more difficult and leads to less efficient treatment and increased bad odors. The overall impact is reflected in high levels of BOD/COD that are not compliant with wastewater discharge requirements and may result in additional fees or surcharges. Bionetix^® International is here to help chemical plants overcome these challenges with biological treatment solutions such as BCP11^™.

Reducing BOD in Wastewater

BCP11^™ is specifically targeted for treating chemical industry wastewater streams. The main goal of BCP11^™ and any biological wastewater treatment is to reduce BOD/COD levels and bring them into compliance with local regulations. BCP11^™ does so by removing chemicals from the wastewater. Beneficial bacteria in the biological treatment digest all kinds of organic chemicals, including solvents, surfactants, antifreeze, pharmaceutical byproducts, petrochemicals, and much more. The microorganisms use elements found in these compounds as a food source, thus digesting the chemicals in order to support their own growth and reproduction into a larger colony that can digest even more contaminants. BCP11^™ also reduces ammonia, an inorganic chemical often found at high levels in many different sources of wastewater.

Tackling High Chemical Wastewater Challenges

Biologicals typically do not flourish in high chemical wastewaters due to a lack of nutrients and the presence of some chemicals that may be toxic to microorganisms. When microorganisms do not have the nourishment needed, they are unable to grow, reproduce, and digest chemicals on a large scale. This can lead to problems with filaments and foam control. Another challenge is the absence of oxygen, which forces bacteria to switch over to anaerobic digestion and its associated bad odors and lower efficiency. In contrast, BCP11^™ has built-in mechanisms to survive and flourish in low-nutrient environments and help with low dissolved oxygen levels. With these advantages, BCP11^™ can perform its intended purpose of improving effluent quality and increasing wastewater treatment efficiency. Because of these built-in defenses against low nutrient environments, BCP11^™ is also good for reducing plant upsets from shocks, helping new plant startups, controlling filaments, and lowering odor and foam.

BCP11™ Success Stories

How, then, has BCP11^™ been used in the field? In one instance, a solvent recovery plant added BCP11^™ and BCP35^™ to a container of wastewater collected from rainwater, equipment wash water, and process water. The pH was adjusted and the tank aerated. Starting with a COD of about 15,000, the tank was observed for seven days. The final COD was <700 ppm—an approximately 96% reduction in COD that would help the plant meet municipal discharge limits. In a more recent case, a glove manufacturer desired a biological treatment that would help bring high levels of BOD and COD closer into compliance with standards. They began treating the effluent with BCP11^™ in February 2021 and saw a tremendous improvement after just the first two weeks. More than a year later, the customer continues to use BCP11^™ and is satisfied with the results.

Making Biological Treatment of Chemical Wastewaters Possible

In the face of so many challenges, some may think that biological treatment is not viable in a chemical wastewater environment. However, BCP11^™ shows otherwise as a biological treatment equipped to tolerate a nutrient- and oxygen-deficient environment. With BCP11^™, plant owners can successfully treat their chemical wastewaters to lower BOD/COD, can stabilize plant upsets, and can help new chemical plants launch their wastewater treatment programs. Contact Bionetix^® to learn more about BCP11^™ and other biological treatments tailored to specific wastewater environments:
https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

Keywords: reducing BOD, biological treatment of chemical wastewaters, biological wastewater treatment, chemical plant wastewater treatment, wastewater treatment refinery, petrochemical wastewater treatment, remove chemicals from wastewater, control filaments, lower foam, low dissolved oxygen levels, Bionetix

Need a High-Resolution Photo?  Please Visit: www.cortecadvertising.com

For a PDF version please click here.