• 

  Process Engineering and Field Support

• 

  Research and Development

• 

  Process Design
  

• 

  Pilot Plant
  

• 

  Treatability Studies

Treatability Studies

In many cases when working with industrial and municipal wastewaters, key process design information may not be available because there is no existing treatment plant, or the wastewater characteristics are not 'standard'.  Wastewater Futures has the ability to perform all types of laboratory treatability studies to aid the design of advanced water and wastewater treatment systems.

Effluent Characterisation

Where to begin? It is common for facilities without wastewater treatment plants to have limited information regarding their effluent.  Before considering a new or upgraded treatment plant, it is critical to understand and fully characterise the effluent. This includes organics, solids, nutrients, pH/ORP, TDS, colour and flow rate. Wastewater Futures can assist with planning and undertaking detailed effluent characterisation.

Biological Reactor Studies

We have extensive experience performing biological treatability studies on a wide range of wastewaters.  We have performed studies using SBR, MBR, MBBR and anaerobic reactors. Our laboratory includes all types of biological reactor setups, which can be operated using PLC control.  Biological reactor studies can be used to determine biodegradability, rates of biodegradation, design parameters, optimum operating parameters, and for evaluating various treatment options. 

Through our Membrane Futures division, we have the capability to assess the appropriateness of various micro-filtration, ultra-filtration, nano-filtration and reverse osmosis membrane treatment methods for water and wastewater applications.  Nano and RO flat sheet testing is useful for simply investigating the technologies for unusual water sources (e.g. industrial waters). It is also useful to use flat sheet testing after pre-treatment changes have occurred to verify treatability, the limits of recovery and types of fouling that may occur.

Ion Exchange Studies

Many types of water treatment systems require ion exchange for water softening. These are often considered in membrane pre-treatment processes. We have the ability to perform batch isotherm testing as well as continuous laboratory scale column testing to determine limits of removal, ion exchange breakthrough and regeneration ability.

Jar Testing

Jar testing is mandatory when designing coagulating pre-treatment systems, particularly for organic and phosphorous removal. Wastewater Futures is set up to perform these Jar tests. We can also work with clients to design other Jar test protocols. 

Wastewater Futures have the capability to analyse most critical water and wastewater parameters. Common techniques include COD, TOC, BOD, nutrients, solids, cation and anion analysis, alkalinity, hardness, SDI, turbidity and colour.