17875 Cherokee P.O. Box 96 Harpster, Ohio 43323
FAX # 614-496-4121
614-496-4571

Att: Mr. Ron Helms Kimberley Clark Company
Highway 235 North
Coosa Pines, AL 35044
March 8, 1989

Re: Bio-Augmentation Treatability Studies

Background

This samples received by us on February 1, 1989 were identified as Aeration Basin Effluent. These samples were analyzed initially to establish baseline data upon which a treatment comparison can be made. This analysis provided us with information concerning the concentrations of nutrients present and other background data needed for the study. Following are the results of the analysis.

Experimental

Following this initial analysis, the sample identified as Raw Mill Effluent was divided into three equal aliquots, two of which were inoculated with AquaClean at concentrations of 10 and 25 parts per million (PPM). These samples were then placed into a bio-oxidation system together with the untreated portion of the sample, which serves as a biological control. These aliquots were then monitored over a 7-day period. Table 1 is a summary of the results of that monitoring.

Table 1 Lab No. MO289-33 Raw Mill Effluent
(All data is reported in mg/l)

Conclusions

The initial analyses of the Raw Mill Effluent showed the TSS to be remarkably low. It was not expected to see the Raw Mill Effluent with this low a TSS, therefore, I suspect that this sample was something other than a true Raw Mill Effluent and possibly is an effluent from a settling basin or a clarifier. In our conversation you confirmed that this was no doubt true, so the Treatability study conducted on this material is better reflective of what would occur in the aeration pond that follows the primary clarification. Throughout this study the sample was aerated with minimal amounts of air. At no time were the three portions of the sample allowed to rise above 0.5 mg/l of dissolved oxygen. This is purposely maintained in order that air does not become the factor upon which treatability was demonstrated. The lowering of the available.DO also gives us good indication of the efficacy of the bacteria inoculated into the treated portions of the sample and its ability to utilize the available air, as well as, that the facultative bacteria will profoundly affect the parameters of interest without increasing the DO demand. By comparing the results of the treated portions of the sample with the results of the untreated portion of the sample, you can readily see the increased biodegradation of the parameters of interest that is directly attributable to the addition of AquaClean. Table 1 shows the reduction of COD on 2.13.89 in the sample inoculated at 25 PPM to be approximately 35% greater than the untreated portion. Similar oxidation of the TSS was also demonstrated The H2S was oxidized from its original 4.9 mg/l to less than detectable limits by 2.13.89.

The initial analysis of both samples submitted to us does not show any inhibiting substances to be present, and the inoculated portions of the sample demonstrated that the addition of AquaClean would result in greatly increased removal of the organic portion of this material. Due to the nature of the bacteria in AquaClean, you would not see an additional demand for oxygen placed upon your system by utilizing this material. The most effective method of treatment is to inoculate the aeration system with a one time seeding dosage of AquaClean, to establish the bacteria in predominance in your system. This initial dose should be accomplished by using a 25 PPM dose, based on the volume of the basin into which it is applied. Following this initial seeding, a daily maintenance dose would then be necessary to insure that the populations remain at optimum levels for the bio-degradation of the parameters of interest. This is accomplished by daily metering of AquaClean into your influent to the aeration system, and based on the volume of flow into the system. The daily maintenance rate would initially be 0.25 mg/l for the first 30 days and then reduced to 0.1 mg/l or lower for the continuance of the program.

In our conversation you mentioned the possibility of utilizing this material in the 1 billion gallon, polishing or holding lagoon, in order to assist the naturally occurring bacteria in reducing the BOB/COD and TSS. This too could be accomplished with the use of AquaClean, however, the greatest effect upon the treatment would still be, to apply it in the aeration system. The polishing pond, or the 1 billion gallon lagoon, would eventually become inoculated by the flow-through of the organisms into that system, and would greatly improve the final effluent almost immediately. The achievement of a 15 to 40% additional oxidation of the BOD/COD in the final effluent should be accomplished within the first 60 days of the treatment.

We thank you for the opportunity to have been of assistance to you in this study and we welcome any comments or questions that may arise as a result of this report. If we can be of any further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call.

Sincerely,

William Pfeiffer, PhD.
Director of Operations
Coleen M. Baer
Assist. Director

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