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Terraqua barranca report powerpoint
1. Terraqua Barranca Progress
Report
August 1, 2011
Note: Since the “visuals” in Barranca have been compelling these last several weeks,
this report is being done in a PowerPoint format.
2. Wastewater Treatment
The system is now successfully treating an average flow of 1.0 l/s of raw wastewater coming from
Barranca and neighboring Santa Catalina. During this initial phase all system components – solids
removal, influent calibration, duckweed bioreactors, sand filters, harvesters, collection tanks, crop
removal, transport and post-harvest processing and storage; sand filters, ozone disinfection, post-
ozone water storage, treated water distribution, crop spray maintenance and pest management –
are being evaluated for performance, calibrated and integrated into “the system.” Protocols are
being developed to allow efficient and safe operation of the integrated system under all conditions
that do . . .and can . . . present. Testing of raw, semi-treated and treated effluent is being
conducted by the best water quality laboratory in Lima. These data will continue to “inform”
development and finalization of appropriate protocols.
The system, as it now presents, is visually attractive, compelling to watch “in process,” completely
odor-free and completely mosquito-free. We would venture to say that it is already producing the
highest quality of treated wastewater effluent in Peru.
In the slides which follow we visually present all relevant elements of the system – with brief
annotations appended below and/or beside the pictures. Videos of most elements “in operation”
will also be distributed forthwith.
3. Wastewater Treatment
Influent Raw Wastewater – Source & Volume
Raw wastewater coming to the site is diverted from a main now delivering a mixed, Santa Catalina / Barranca effluent to two
“exhausted” parallel-flow facultative lagoons located on the lower strip (below the cliff) – an area which will eventually
accommodate the “treatment phase” of the new Terraqua Barranca wastewater treatment plant.
4. Wastewater Treatment
Influent Raw Wastewater – Solids Separation
The “diversion manhole” is being altered a minimal cost to enhance
passage of floating solids down to the facultative lagoons. A future
capacity upgrade of the Terraqua Eco Parque project will subsequently
capture 100% of this flow and deal with influent solids.
The adjacent Terraqua Eco Parque manhole now serves to
capture most inorganic solids. A future capacity upgrade of
the Terraqua Eco Parque project will subsequently capture
100% of this flow and deal with influent solids. Design work
for this subsequent phase is being done by new team
member Sara Norris, who has come to us from an
engineering position with a futuristic algae-based NASA
wastewater treatment project now being conducted in the
San Francisco Bay area.
7. Wastewater Treatment
Influent Raw Wastewater – Flow Measurement, Calibration and Adjustment
System flows are now
measured using a simple
“V notch.” The depicted
flow is approximately 1
liter per second.
Flow is now calibrated
from a valved “hook”
discharge nozzle built
into the Parshall flume
influent line.
These temporary yet
effective systems will be
replaced with robust
electronic flow
monitoring in a
subsequent system
upgrade.
13. Wastewater Treatment
Duckweed Bioreactors – Hydraulics
The subterranean structure of the site comprises tightly packed
“round” rocks and stones – a structure which obviates use of simple
earthen containment. LDPE liners have been successfully
deployed. This picture shows the pond harvester assembly as well
as pond influent and effluent lines – “T”eed, in the case of the
influent line, to prevent short circuiting.
All ponds communicate below the surface to ensure a common
“pond group” water depth. Removal of the harvester assembly
provides a method by which to drain ponds through the
harvester drain pipe. All ponds have been rigorously tested for
leaks before final filling.
14. Wastewater Treatment
Duckweed Bioreactors – Hydraulics
A closer view of a harvester assembly shows how all systems were
carefully “booted” to prevent leaks. The 12” “flare” at the top of
the harvester assembly increases the rate at which the harvester
can collect the floating duckweed mat. Since the harvester does
not become inundated, a 6” pipe provides more than adequate
drainage. Harvested material all flows to a common collection
tank, from which water is again pumped back to the head of the
plant. This photograph depicts a “complete fill” leakage testing
sequence.
This photograph depicts a “complete fill” leakage testing
sequence. Because the next pond in line is not yet ready for
testing, influent water is being siphoned out through the
harvester assembly.
15. Wastewater Treatment
Duckweed Bioreactors – Hydraulics
An adjustable weir attached to the outlet pipe of the final pond
“sets” the pond level for each “group” of duckweed ponds. The
exact depth of the ponds (relative to the height of the harvester
mouth) is set in such a manner as to optimize harvesting. In what
will ultimately be a carefully supervised and monitored public park,
the innovative bamboo covering delivers both beauty and safety.
Once all ponds “passed” the rigorous leakage testing sequence, the
ponds were filled with irrigation water and then charged with
duckweed brought in from “wild growth” found to occur in the
Callao region of Lima. Despite Lima being located in a desert, the
wild growth occurs in wetlands that are supported by “irrigation
theft” of raw Lima wastewater intended to be discharged directly
into the nearby ocean. Eating raw strawberries in Lima is not
recommended.
17. Wastewater Treatment
Duckweed Bioreactors – Crop Management
This “discretely framed” tongue-in-cheek photograph shows an
amused Kyle Lisabeth hosing down a disrobed Paul Skillicorn with
disinfected wastewater that has been treated at the site. Paul had
just been “doing the responsible thing” by entering the water to
connect the harvester-ball cords. The photograph shows the
abundant availability of treated water, the pressures attained by
the “pressure tank system,” and the ability to generate a “large
droplet heavy spray.” As one can infer from Paul’s benign response,
the water has neither color nor odor. Netafim will be pleased.
Here, Kyle Lisabeth shows how the existing hand spray
system can be used effectively to gently redistribute
attendant duckweed over the entire pond surface following
harvesting. Plans call for the existing hand spray system to
be replaced with a fully programmable spray system
featuring several fixed spray heads per pond. This spray,
the most important “management/maintenance” tool in the
plant managers arsenal, can also be used to mitigate high
temperature stress and minimize the prevalence of pests
such as aphids and harmful agents such algae and fungi.
18. Wastewater Treatment
Duckweed Bioreactors – Crop Management
This picture depicts a pond surface on which the attendant
duckweed is perfectly deployed. Coverage is 100% -- serving as an
effective barrier to mosquitoes and algae. Density from a growth
point of view is also ideal – tightly packed, but not layered. This
ensures that every frond has good access to both light and
nutrients. Once harvesting takes place – as much as 20% of the
crop – there will still be enough plants remaining to ensure the
essential 100% cover required to maintain a healthy system.
In this picture, Alicia Torres, is untying the harvester chord
preparatory to conducting a harvest of the attendant pond.
She has already tested the pond density and determined how
much duckweed needs to be harvested. In this instance,
approximately 10 minutes of unassisted harvesting (no spray)
proved to be sufficient. Once the harvest is completed, the
“Terraqua ball valve” is simply pulled back over the flared
harvester “mouth.”
19. Wastewater Treatment
Duckweed Bioreactors – Harvesters
The innovative Terraqua “ball-valve” harvesters are made from a child’s
tethered rubber ball filled with about 1 liter of water (and, of course, air).
They are fitted with a simple polyester cord that is tied off on opposing banks.
One person can manage a harvest providing the opposing cord is pulled tight.
The top of the harvester is threaded to allow “fine tuning” the installed
harvester height. Typically, the top of the harvester will be about 1 cm below
the pond surface. The resulting flow, once the ball-valve is “opened,”
provides efficient harvesting of the attendant duckweed mat.
20. Wastewater Treatment
Duckweed Bioreactors – Planning Harvests
Here, Alicia Torres Geary, measures the density of the
duckweed mat preparatory to harvesting. The duckweed
picked up on the 1/16th of a square meter “measuring
tool” is drained and then weighed (below) to determine
standing density. With Lemna Gibba, which has a pea-like
shape, ideal standing densities are somewhat higher than
with other species. As one moves down the nutrient
chain, and away from the raw influent wastewater, ideal
standing densities will gradually creep up to over 2 kg/s
per square meter.
22. Wastewater Treatment
Duckweed Bioreactors – Harvesting
Six minutes after the ball-valve has been removed, the standing
mat in the vicinity of the flared harvester mouth has thinned
noticeably. This is a good visual cue for the ball-valve again to
be replaced and the pond surface to be sprayed.
Harvested duckweed and attendant water from each
harvester flow to a common collection tank. This picture
shows the relatively heavy concentrations of duckweed
delivered by the harvester.
23. Wastewater Treatment
Duckweed Bioreactors – Harvest Containment & Movement
The buoyant duckweed floats to the top during a harvest, allowing the
carriage water to flow out the bottom and up into the adjacent tank, from
where it is continuously pumped back to the head of the plant. While we
now use simple hand tools to remove harvested duckweed from the
collection tank, and a wheel barrow to deliver it to a nearby compost pile,
we are planning on automating the entire process using belts and screw
pumps. Plans call for harvested duckweed to be disinfected with a
combination of ozone and ultraviolet light before it is conveyed elsewhere
for further processing into feed and feedstuff.
28. Wastewater Treatment
Duckweed Processing and Reuse
Absent a “phase-II” aquaculture complex, we intend using the harvested
duckweed to feed a flock of Terraqua Free Range Chickens. These will be grazed
in a series of simple “drag-cages” which will be placed on the grassy portions of
both sides of the Eco-Parque – shown here surrounding the dome (in the
aquaculture plot) that will be used to house the chickens. Duckweed will be
“strewn” on the grass, while corn and water will be made available ad libitum
from conventional feeders attached to both ends of the drag cages. We are
now constructing a simple convection solar dryer that will be used to dry the
duckweed preparatory to mixing it with some corn and a “vitamin mix” pending
pelleting (floating pellet) for use in aquaculture.
30. Wastewater Treatment
Sand Filters
In a Terraqua duckweed-based wastewater treatment system, the
effluent may contain a significant amount of the normal “fauna”
which inhabit the underside and the top of the mat. This can
include everything from aphids to snails. There is relatively little of
the “fines” (mostly bacteria) that typically escape an activated
sludge system clarifier. As such, the performance requirements of a
final “sand filter” differ greatly from systems used with activated
sludge treatment. We have, accordingly, chosen to use a “local”
twin chamber design incorporating fairly coarse sand. This
“simple” system
does not have a backwash capability, and we believe it will require
only occasional cleaning and maintenance. Early results have been
promising.
The sand filters also provide additional treated water buffer
capacity – a welcome circumstance while we remain without the
larger treated water tank – construction of which is planned for a
subsequent expansion phase.
31. Wastewater Treatment
Treated Flow Disinfection
Here, Kyle Lisabeth operates the small US-made ozone unit now
used to disinfect treated effluent. Treated, filtered water is passed
from the sand filters to the “ozone tank” where it is treated on a 2-
pass basis – bubbling up the down-flow tank influent line, and
subsequently by a diffuser placed in the center of the ozone tank
(see below). A series of exhaustive tests planned for the coming
weeks will conclusively determine both the safety and efficacy of
this system. Despite concerns related to local humidity, early
indications suggest performance will be excellent.
32. Wastewater Treatment
Treated Water Storage
Treated, ozonated water storage is currently limited to a single,
2000 liter buried plastic tank located immediately adjacent to the
identically sized ozone tank. Future, phase-II plans call for
construction of a large, bamboo dome-covered 400 cubic meter
tank in the existing gully immediately below “Kyle’s Chapel” (see to
the left). Water from this tank will then be used to supply the full
range of on-site water applications: duckweed maintenance,
aquaculture (processing and make-up water only) drip irrigation,
spray irrigation and reverse osmosis.
33. Wastewater Treatment
Treated Water Distribution
A conventional pressure tank system draws treated water from the
storage tank (see previous slide) and supplies it throughout the
complex through a 2” lateral traversing the full site from north to
south. Two inch feed lines also lead into the duckweed bioreactor
complex, where they supply crop maintenance spray systems (now
manual). An additional line passes to the adjacent main building,
where it will supply the reverse osmosis apparatus. A further tap
to the north of the property will supply the Netafim drip irrigation
complex, and a final tap will supply the treated water requirements
of both the vermiculture complex and the anaerobic digesters.
Below, Stan Harmon, Kyle Lisabeth and Alicia Torres Geary marvel
at the “geyser-like” power of the system.
34. Wastewater Treatment
Productive Use, Discharge, Overflow and Recycling
Absent back-up power systems, a critical operating rule mandates
fail-safe power-off operating modes. Overflow from the sand filter,
the duckweed harvester and the treated water storage tank are
passed to a whimsical, rock-lined discharge channel that carries
such water down below the cliff and out to sea. Extensive power-
off testing has shown this system to perform perfectly under a wide
range of “failure” conditions.
35. Wastewater Treatment
Reverse Osmosis Treatment
Having now ensured that the basic sand-filtered, ozone-disinfected duckweed-
treated wastewater meets our specifications as to quality, we are commencing
installation of the small reverse osmosis system now being held in storage. This will
then lead to the critical “glass of water” – the drinking of which will formally initiate
anyone given the opportunity, into the Terraqua Club. While we intend extensively
testing the safety of this “glass of water” in advance, the local mayor has asked that
he be allowed to drink that critical first (public) glass. We intend obliging him on
October 5 – the true inauguration day for the Terraqua Barranca Eco Parque.
Anyone reading this note can also consider himself/herself to have been invited.
38. Site Landscaping
It is our intention – and a realistic intention – that the Terraqua Barranca Eco Parque come to be regarded as the most beautiful
and most interesting park (open to the paying public) in Peru. We have taken pains to employ a unique “stone architecture”
system that echoes both Caral and the later Incas. We intend framing this architecture in filigree-like bamboo domes to give
some effortless height and then clothing it in local perennials that provide sustained flowering brilliance. Bougainvillea’s will
predominate, because they at once serve three purposes – growing quickly, blocking the wind (amazingly dense) and delighting
the optic nerve. A number of other flowering trees and vines will also be deployed – as will select giant grasses, palms and cacti.
We intend keeping grass to a minimum, and where it is used (on both sides of the main building), making it both brilliant and
“special.” We intend using both textured and colored gravel and pebbles to give accent to other open surface areas (see above).
This will be the most beautiful and interesting “parque” in all of Peru. We fully expect that every graduating high school
student in Lima, 5 years hence, will have visited the park with his class.
48. Treated Water Reuse
Drip Irrigation – NETAFIM Partnership
We have our fingers crossed on this one. Netafim is unchallenged as the world’s #1 drip irrigation company. We believe, nevertheless,
that we have much to offer them. We know, without doubt, that they have much to offer us. We intend that they “do” the extractive
plant irrigation demonstration at the Terraqua Barranca Eco Parque.
49. Water Reuse
Domed Aquaculture IQF Fillets
Tilapia
Barramundi
Fresh Fillets
Arapaima /
Paiche
Fish production is the financial “engine” of the Terraqua system – which we believe will quickly come to be know as the most efficient
aquaculture system in the world: free water and free nutrients combined with a “better and more efficient” system. Each 0.5 mgd
“modular” wastewater treatment system will have 3 “36’ aquaculture domes” housing a unique “concentric lane” recirculating water
system which, unlike other such systems, will deliver a “zero nitrate” LST (low surface tension) treated water back to the fish. Also, unlike
any other system, literally everything will be “captured” in that recycle – fecal matter and uneaten feed, along with the “waste” portion
of the filleted fish (heads, guts, skin and bones – everything). The small, integrated-team personnel structure, rising slope reinforcement
and strong internal competition across the system will drive efficiencies.
53. Water Reuse
Tissue Cultured Arundo Donax
Fertigation buried-drip (Netafim innovation) irrigated Arundo
Donax will produce more lignocellulosic biomass than any other
plant on earth. We intend, with Netafim’s help, grabbing the top
rung of this ladder and working diligently to stay there. In order to
do so, we will also need, gradually, to develop increasingly efficient
tissue culture approaches to producing Arundo Donax propagules.
While the eventual “home run” to be hit is biofuels, we will,
ourselves, concentrate on using AD to produce engineered lumbers
and boards (followed by pulp and paper). As the most efficient
biomass producer in the world, we can expect the “energy”
technology eventually to come to us.
54. Water Reuse
Harvested Arundo Donax Pressed Board & Engineered Lumber
Drying AD Stalks Initially we will “self-consume” in Terraqua dome AD Engineered Lumber
production all the AD engineered lumber we
produce on our “refurbished” single-opening
press. We will then begin selling “packaged
home domes” as the market develops. Finally,
we will sell the lumber directly. Lumber on the
Peruvian Pacific coast costs twice what it does in
the US.
Long-stalk veneer AD
Refurbished Single Opening Press Engineered Board
Forage-harvested AD
Engineered Board
55. Water Reuse
Tissue Cultured Extractives
There are, today, well over a hundred plants,
extracts of which command very high prices in
the global market place. By combining the very
highest fertigation drip technology and localized
modular processing with a broad-based, but
nimble and flexible approach to selecting
among these plants, we should be able to surf
this wave indefinitely.
We intend selecting a small number of “base” -
easy to grow and easy to process “high
demand” - extracts such as stevia to serve as
the backbone of the business. We will rely on
Ven Subbiah, our resident extractives expert to
guide us on the others.
Developing a highly flexible tissue culture
capability will be critical.
Our solar drying technology will also serve us
well in this business.
Drying and extracting fruit as well as duckweed
and, yes, even worms (for protein powder) will
be an adjunct to this business.
57. Water Reuse
Kenaf Seeds, Oil and (future) Fiber
We remain convinced that kenaf will
find its place as an important global
crop. Producing kenaf seeds will
become the most remunerative
niche in that business. At this time
there are no reliable seed producers
in the Southern Hemisphere (off
season, therefore higher priced
supply). Kenaf oil, with extremely
high Omega 3s, holds some promise
as a boutique oil and can become an
adjunct to the mainline seed
business. Producing kenaf fiber
products can follow if South
American demand warrants.
58. A maturing crop of
Kenaf: Construction
Fiber, Oil Adsorbent
and Filter Medium
59. Emerging Terraqua Industry
Domes
Terraqua Barranca now has three domes “under construction” at the Eco Parque site – two 24’ domes and one 36’ dome – the
one depicted above. The purpose of the domes is to provide highly affordable working space in a configuration that is both
effective and attractive – conceptually and visually. Domes will feature heavily in the aquaculture component of the
subsequent Terraqua Barranca wastewater treatment plants, but they will also be used throughout the system for workspace,
to house equipment and to provide storage. Interest in the domes from the local Peruvian public has been massive. In a region
that features some of the most unattractive housing structures on earth, a plan is now emerging that will capture this interest in
a spinoff commercial endeavor that will produce “dome kits” (structure, exterior and interiors) from arundo donax engineered
lumbers and boards. Indeed, the local woodworking industry sent a delegation to Terraqua administrators “demanding” that
we “include” such an industry in our business plan. This would initially happen as a simple adjunct to our internal consumption
of domes. Requiring very little investment, it would grow as market demand manifests. The singular Lassiter Dodecahedron
Geodesic Dome has truly arrived in South America.
60. Terraqua Business
Municipal Partnerships
Support for Terraqua within the province of Barranca has been unwavering. Providing we can swing the financing, all the
wastewater produced within the province is ours for the taking. Barranca is offering additional value in its new urban expansion
zone (10 hectares and possibly some co-financing). Supe is suggesting that a portion of its existing $15 million “water and
sanitation” budget can move in our direction providing we “take on the job.” The town is now also providing us with 24/7
security support (see above) and building new roads to the site.
61. Terraqua Business
Institutional / Bureaucratic Partnerships
It’s wonderful, in a developing country such as Peru to feel confident
that, when you see a police car drive up (above), that the officer is
just “checking in to make sure everything’s OK.” This response is now
universal in Barranca. In the top left picture we’re meeting with the
top management of Semapa, the water/wastewater parastatal, to
discuss the project. Below that, Pedro, the top official in Santa
Catalina poses for a treasured picture – treasured by both of us, I
might add.
62. Terraqua Business
Campesino Partnerships
“Los Japoneses,” father and son, are “possessionarios” of the last plot along the 50 hectares of bottom land . . . up against the
river. Ironically, they are already producing tilapia in ponds supplied with “agua filtrada” that comes down to them through the
cliff. They will number among our fist group of village partners.
63. Terraqua Business
Landowner Partnerships
This man (name escapes me) sought us out while visiting our Eco Parque site on Fiestas Patrias – Peruvian independence day –
and invited us to visit his “chacra.” After spending an hour with him – sampling his pisco and two wines – it became clear to me
that he would be amenable to “throwing in with us” if the circumstance presents. We’ll keep this connection alive. There are
many other such “gentleman-farmers” in the region.
64. Terraqua Business
Investor Partnerships
These are just a few of the
“interested” Peruvians having the
private wherewithal to make direct
investments into Terraqua Barranca
and subsequent Terraqua endeavors.
We continue to engage all four, and
are expanding the conversation to
include many others.
