How the chemical process works
During the aeration phase inside the activated sludge tank, ammonia in the effluent is converted to nitrite and further to nitrate in the presence of oxygen (nitrification), while phosphate is biologically stored.
The ELECTRO-PRECIPITATOR triggers a migration of ions (pH shift), which causes calcium or magnesium to be bound up with NO3 to form calcium nitrate oder magnesium nitrate in the form of a ion grid.
The more nitrate accumulates in the activated sludge tank during the aeration phase, the more calcium nitrate or magnesium nitrate ist formed into a ion grid.
The bound-up calcium nitrate or magnesium nitrate is reduces to calcium ammonia or magnesium ammonia through the return sludge in the denitrification basin, anox zone or selector as well as during long residece times in the activated sludge tank (without oxygen supply = reduction).
The biologically bound phosphate is simultaneously redissolved.
Since calcium ammonia or magnesium ammonia is positively charged, it reacts with the free negative phosphate ions to form calcium ammonium phosphate or magnesium ammonium phosphate. The latter precipitates into a salt and is adsorbed to the flocculent sludge. This results in sludge thickening and thus in an improved sludge volume index, which in turn leads to a reduction in sludge volume from 20 %!
The salt is continuously removed together with the excess sludge.
The remaining phosphate that has not been bound up to calcium or magnesium ammonium phosphate is taken up again in the activated sludge tank during the subsequent aeration phase.
This technique is patented - Licences granted upon previous agreement!
