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The diagram above shows the
main parts of the BioKube Mars system. (The Venus systems work
on the same principle)
Inlet to BioKube
from Settlement tank (1).
For
the AWTS (Aerated Wastewater Treatment System)
to work correctly it is important to prevent
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) from reaching the tank, as this will
damage or at best hamper the bacteria needed for the cleaning process in
the first cleaning chamber. H2S is produced by bacteria
living in sewage water deficient in oxygen, which is the case in a
septic tank, it is the H2S that gives a
septic tank
its unpleasant, easily recognisable, smell. A unique process in the
BioKube AWTS makes it possible for it to break down the
Hydrogen Sulphide in the Settlement tank, thus preventing it from
reaching the AWTS. The elimination of H2S in the
Settlement tank means that the complete system is virtually odour
free.
Break down of organic
material (2).
The wastewater is pumped from
the collection chamber into the first AWTS cleaning
chamber at precisely timed intervals. One of the keys to the unique and
stable cleaning process is based on the precise control of the inflow of
the sewage water to be cleaned. The wastewater flows through aerated
biomedia blocks, where heterotrophic bacteria break down the organic
material in the wastewater. From here the wastewater is led through a
clarification chamber, where the wastewater moves slowly, and the sludge
settles through gravitation. From this chamber the water flows into the
second section, where this process repeats itself. (3)
Break down of
ammonium/ammonia nitrogen (nitrification) (4).
From the clarification chamber
of the second section, the water gravitates into the third aerated
section. Here we find autotrophic micro-organisms, which break down
the ammonium/ammonia nitrogen. This process is called nitrification.
From the clarification chamber of the third section, the treated water
is discharged back into nature as cleaned. The water is now so clean,
that it can be led directly into a lake or stream. You can also use it
for irrigation or similar purposes.
Removal of sludge (5).
The sludge, which settles in
each section, is pumped back to the Settlement tank (septic tank)
several times a day. From the Settlement tank the sludge should be
removed once or twice a year in order to prevent any clogging.
Removal of Phosphorus
(Optional extra) (6).
The BioKube AWTS can be equipped
with a phosphorus precipitation kit. Phosphorus is removed by adding Aluminum chloride
to the sludge, as it is returned to the Settlement tank thereby
creating non-dissolvable salt, which stays in the Settlement tank
until it is emptied once or twice a year.
Re-use of the purified water.
Normally the cleaned water is
led to a stream or lake. However, with the Elite models the water is so clean and free from
bacteria, that it can be used for irrigation or water for livestock. If
the cleaned water is used in a sprinkler system, or in areas where
boreholes / aquifers exist, we recommend total
removal of pathogenic bacteria through ultra-violet sterilization. As the
pathogenic bacteria are very low in number, you do not need to add
chlorine or other chemicals.
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