Our solution

Electrochemical water purification

Biobros Ltd. is a service and supplier company specialising in water purification solutions.

Biobros‘ mission is to solve industrial water and wastewater problems comprehensively. We aim to find the best possible solution for water problems/challenges in technical and economical terms, using new, innovative water purification methods.

Table of Contents

Industrial wastewater treatment problems

Most common problems in industrial wastewater treatment are:

1. Weaknesses of traditional water treatment methods

  • Energy consumption
  • Staffing requirements
  • Footprint (use of chemicals)
 

2. Bacteria control

3. Scaling efficiency issues

4. Poor monitoring and data acquisition

5. Equipment design and specification

6. Maintenance problems

7. Training issues

Solution: Biobros EC-technology

The Biobros Electrocoagulation (EC) water purifying technology is based on combination of intelligent electrical control and efficient use of water dynamics.

Basic phenomena behind this technique is electrocoagulation and electrolysis.

EC water purification units include:

  1. Water pretreatment unit
  2. Replaceable EC units
  3. Automated floc and sludge control without separate tanks
  4. Automated anode and cathode cleaning process
  5. Process automation platform

Advantages of electrocoagulation

Environmental aspects

  • EC is considered as green technology, since the only “chemical“ used is the electron
  • No need for chemical additions
  • No additional sulfides
  • The amount of sludge generated is smaller when compared to conventional technologies, while sludge quality is better

Some types of EC-sludge may possibly be utilized in e.g. fertilizer products or as cement material

Note: In some cases, electrical conductivity of the treated water may need elevation, NaCl (industrial grade) is typically used to achieve this

Economic aspects

  • Investment, maintenance, energy/electricity and operation costs are relatively small
  • Good treatment efficiency for many types of water and wastewater

Simultaneous H2 bubbling raises treatment efficiency

Operational aspects

  • EC-systems are fully automated, compact in size and simple, modifiable/scalable, and easily hybridized with other methods
  • Decentralized treatment is possible even in remote locations
  • EC-systems can be designed to utilize solar, wind or other renewable power sources
  • The functional pH range of EC is wide, water and wastewater may even be neutralized using EC
  • No significant initial pH alteration is typically needed
  • Water temperature doesn’t affect EC-process efficiency
 

Additional features of electrocoagulation

Water conductivity needs to be adequate

  • NaCl-additions (not needed for industrial wastewaters), industrial grade is sufficient

Uneven anode dissolution and electrode passivation (due to slow oxide film development on electrode surfaces) may occur, hindering the effectiveness of EC

Note: Biobros EC-technology has a solution to this problem

Treatment costs are subject to change if the prices of electricity and metal change significantly

Note: Usually this applies to other water treatment methods as well

Excessive residual aluminum concentrations in the environment must be prevented

  • Iron may also be used as the dissolving anode, although particularly if overdosed, it may cause coloration of water

Biobros EC Pilot

  • Build in 40 ft container​
  • Capacity 1 – 10 m3/hour depending on incoming water quality and outgoing water quality demand​
  • Energy consumption: 0,1 – 5 kWh/m3,  represents > 85 % of variable costs​
  • Technology can be scaled  up to any capacity​
  • Set up time for different process and waste waters / expected time will be 1 – 5 days per process water

Biobros engineering solutions

  • Biobros Water modules can be engineered to existing water treatment facilities.​
  • Customer supplies process water / clean water / electricity and takes care of outgoing water and sludge from unit.​
  • Modules can be changed depending incoming wastewater and outcome water quality requirements.​
  • Fully automated process control.​
  • Biobros will train operating personnel for safety and efficient operation issues.​
  • Biobros units will be fully operational when delivered to site.

Application industries

Municipal wastewater

Purifying wastewater, separation of biomasses

Oil and gas

Recycling of purified water, improved yield

Meat industry

Purifying wastewater, separation of biomasses

Mining

Separation and enrichment of valuable minerals

Dairy

Purifying wastewater, separation of biomasses

Pulp and paper

Closed process, no water effluent

Energy

Toxic removal from process water

Ask for other application solutions

Feasibilty study service

The feasibility study consists electrocoagulation (EC) tests under laboratory conditions to a water/wastewater sample delivered to Biobros Ltd. The aim of the study is to test the suitability of EC- treatment of the water type. The cleaning results will be discovered by separate water analyses, the scope of which is agreed with the customer separately.

The study will also reveal the amount of current and treatment time required for EC treatment of each type of water/wastewater. In addition, the best option for the material of metal used as a soluble anode, typically either iron (Fe) or aluminium (Al), is examined.

Where appropriate, the impact of other parameters (e.g. improvement of electrical conductivity, adjustment of pH and enhancement of precipitation with additives) may also be tested.

Customer will receive results of the feasibility study in the form of a full study report and water analyses.

Continuity Testing service

The Biobros EC-equipment is in a 40 ft shipping container that is brought to the site and the wastewater is pumped with a 2″ hose through the EC-equipment. The volumetric flow rate of the water may be between 1,0 and 10 m3/h.

In the continuity testing service, the customer receives a series of test runs (typically 10-30 days) for their own water/wastewater using the patented Biobros EC- system. During the test run cycle, the power consumption of the system shall be optimised in relation to the desired volumetric flow rate and the cleaning result.

The information produced by the service and the water purification results can be used to assess the suitability, profitability and benefits of the EC system in wastewater treatment.

The customer is required to have a sufficiently flat space/area for a 40 ft. shipping container (outdoors or indoors), a 125 A electrical plug, domestic water for cleaning the equipment and a sewage drain.