4 Phase Cleansing with the BIOCOS® System
Prof. Kurt Ingerle’s patented BIOCOS process (biological combined system) is an improvement upon the activated sludge process and the SBR technology. The system uses technology that minimizes post cleansing and recycling of sludge.
The hydraulic connection between a activated sludge tank (B-tank) with a sedimentation – circulation tank (SU tank) is the trademark of a BIOCOS system.
The process is identifiable from an activated sludge tank and two SU tanks.
The BIOCOS system works on the principle of hydrostatic paradox. Instead of energy inefficient pumps for sludge recycling, plus expensive post cleansing technology, the process involve the intelligent use of legally acceptable hydraulic technology combined with biological processes.
The Principle of Hydrostatic Paradox
The important elements of the cleansing process are covered in 4 phases:
Phase 1: Recycling of Slick into the Activated Sludge Tank
Waste water is passed through the regeneration tank into the sedimentation und circulation tanks.
In conjunction with a rigid time rhythm, sludge sediment is moved from the SU tanks into the activated sludge tank via a sludge siphon (aeration). The hydraulic connection between both tanks enables the water level to regulate itself. It flows in an equal amount to the sludge transfer via an opening in the retaining wall of the activated sludge tank into the SU tank. The sludge in the activated sludge tank can be processed with oxygen and re-nitrified. The amount of dry material in each tank is almost similar in amount.
Phase 2: Circulation in the SU Tank
Following the reintroduction of the sludge, there is a period of circulation and in approximately 5 minutes a homogeneous level is achieved.
Phase 3: Final Phase in the SU Tank & Phase 4: Removal of purified Water
Following circulation, the sludge automatically separates (Final Phase). The result is a floating horizontal mass of sludge, which subsequently settles at a constant rate. This carpet of sludge works like a filter; removes impurities out of the liquid mass and the residual clear water can be siphoned off.The sedimentation phase lasts one hour.
Thereafter the clean water is siphoned off. Thanks to the hydraulic system, a balancing of the liquid content is achieved, whereby an equal amount of waste water flows from the regeneration tank into the SU tank, which is eventually siphoned off as clean water.
During the process, the sludge settles to the bottom, thereby preventing any light waste matter rising to the surface.
Continual In and Out Flow
With the cycle of activated sludge, circulation, separation and removal, in addition to the sludge in the activated sludge tank, there is additionally biochemical sludge in the SU tank, which acts as a filter to remove debris and provide a problem free operation.In order to guarantee a continual in and out flow, the BIOCOS® process always necessary one activated sludge tank with two SU tanks and this ensures a unbroken flow of clean water. Two SU tanks for use in the phased operation: sedimentation + circulation + settlement = clean water.Large BIOCOS units are designed to use the four phase operation method. There is, therefore, no need for a pumping system or final clarification for the return-sludge. The SU tanks are used not only for sedimentation – by comparison to the final clarification of activated sludge process – but also for endogenous denitrification and biological elimination of phosphorus.