This document discusses the challenges of water scarcity and waste water disposal in India. It then introduces bio-filtration technology as a decentralized and sustainable alternative to conventional sewage treatment plants (STPs). Some key advantages of bio-filtration STPs highlighted include being cost-effective to install and maintain, requiring less land and energy

1. Bio-Filter
Waste Water TreatmentTechnology

2. The Nation Faces Two Severe Problems
a) Water Scarcity
b) Sewage / Waste Water Disposal
A) Water Scarcity Challenge:
1. 70% of India would be water stressed by 2020.
2. The Water availability will be highly skewed.
3. The urban need of water is increasing , need to transfer from long distance, availability will also be limited /
costly.
Background

3. B) Sewage/Waste Water Disposal Challenge:
Government report on Urban and Industrial Water Supply and Sanitation for Five year plan (2012-17) highlights
the following points about waste water in India :
1. No Indian city is in position to boast of complete sewerage system which can keep up with sanitation and
pollution challenge.
2. If sewerage systems are not comprehensive-spread across the city to collect, convey and intercept waste of all-
than the pollution will not be under control.
3. Waste water treatment is important not only for controlling pollution but recycle & reuse will be important.
4. Waste water is not only limited to industries, urban centers, town but the problem is emerging in small towns
& villages.
Background

4. 1. Industrial Waste Water
Industrial Waste Water Treatment is:
1. Very specific to type of waste water
2. Highly cost intensive and
3. Not able to meet the standard norms.
2. Sewerage
The sewage treatment system are:
1. Capital intensive ( Rs. 1.0 Cr. to 3.0 Cr. /MLD & still costly for smaller capacities less than 25 MLD)
2. High on operating & maintenance cost
3. Not able to treat at desired efficiency & quality. (As per CSE report currently most of the cities do not
have STP’s and wherever installed, not working to the desired level)
Current Situation

5. Decentralized wastewater Treatment can be smart alternative for considering new
systems or modifying, replacing, or expanding existing waste water systems.
Advantages of Decentralized STP:
1. Can be stand alone arrangements for many parts/wards of the city or scattered settlements
2. Easy to handle, operate and maintain
3. Better public participation and acceptance
4. Cost saving in sewage collection piping and in transportation as well as treated water transportations.
(Treated water can be reused locally for landscapes / trees / washing and for flushing)
5. Better adoption to local contexts and needs
6. Cost- effective and efficient
7. Needing smaller areas for treatment
8. Chances of failure – almost nil
9. Can replace septic tanks
Decentralized Treatment Systems

6. Bio-filter is emerging as an environmentally sustainable, economically viable & socially acceptable
technology.
It uses the ability of the earthworms and beneficial microbes to break down organic waste present in the
waste water and transform it into worm-cast.
And a natural way of recycling nutrients and removal of toxins.
GREEN TECHNOLOGY
to sustain Environment

7. Biofilter is a bed of organic material which supports worms (microbes) that break down solid and convert to
carbon dioxide , water and nutrients.
Bio-filter Technology is a synthesis process, which harnesses the energy, carbon and other elements of the
waste and converts them to precious “Bio-nutritional" products like energy rich humus & bio-fertilizer and
nutrient rich water.
It involves removal of organic matter by adsorption & filtration followed by biological degradation and oxy-gen
supply by natural aeration to the treatment system.
And a natural way of recycling nutrients and removal of toxins.
Collection BFT
(Earthworms & beneficial microbes)
Collection of treated water
Distribution of water for reuse in Agriculture
/ Landscapes /Urban forestry
Concept

8. Bio filtration as a principle originates from the fact that consortium of bacteria is developed for feeding on the
substrate and thus for further microbial colonization.
During this process, the important plant nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and calcium present
in the feed material are converted through microbial action into forms that are much more soluble and bio-
available to the plants. The treated water is almost “Disinfected” during the process.
Earthworms act as media to hosts millions of microbes which helps in fast decomposition organic matters in
sewage water.
The solids fed in by Earthworms converts in useful compost which is rich in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)
Biofilter Process

9. In aqua culture environment nitrogen is of primary concern as a component of waste product generated by
rearing fish.
The source of nitrogen waste urea , uric acid, and amino acid excreted by the fish , organic debris from dead
and dying organisms , uneaten feed and feces and nitrogen gas from the atmosphere.
Fish expel various nitrogenous waste products through
1.Gill Diffusion, 2.Gill Cation Exchange ,3.Urine and Feces
Biofilter remove toxicity of ammonia by nitrification process
Biofilter Nitrifications
Ammonia
Oxidation
Nitrite
Oxidation
Nitrate

10. 1. It reduces the cost of collection / transportation / treatment / re-use of water & can be marketed.
2. No Odor / No Sludge Formation / Hygienic process – acceptability of local people for sight of the plant is very high.
3. Low operating and maintenance costs.
4. Very low energy input.
5. It can be tailored made for each situation / land availability.
6. Able to meet pollution norms for irrigation and additionally cost saving on artificial fertilizers.
7. Does not need qualified / highly skilled persons for monitoring.
Advantages

11. Conventional STP/ETP
(Activated Sludge Process) Bio-filtration Technology
Comparative

12. Assessment Of Technology Options For SewageTreatment Plant
Criteria
Transchem -
Biofilter ASP UASB+EA SBR MBBR MBR WSP
Performance in Terms of Quality of Treated Sewage
Potential of Meeting TSS,BOD and
COD Discharge Standards
++++ +++ +++ ++++ ++++ ++++ ++
Potential of Total / Fecal Coliform
Removal
++++ +++ +++ ++++ ++++ ++++ ++++
Potential of DO in Effluent
++++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++
Potential for Nitrogen Removal
(Nitrification)
++++ + + ++++ ++ ++ +
Potential for Phosphorous Removal ++++ + + ++++ ++ ++ +
Performance Reliability
++++ ++++ ++ ++ +++ ++++ ++
Impact of Effluent Discharge
Potential of No Adverse Impact on
Land, Surface Waters and Ground Water
++++ ++ ++ +++ +++ ++++ ++++
Low : + Medium : ++ High : +++ Very high : ++++

13. Assessment Of Technology Options For SewageTreatment Plant
Criteria
Transchem -
Biofilter ASP UASB+EA SBR MBBR MBR WSP
Potential for Economically Viable Resource Generation
Manure / Soil Conditioner
++++ ++ ++ ++ ++ + +
Fuel 0 ++ ++ + + + 0
Economically Viable Electricity
Generation/Energy Recovery
0 + +++ + + + 0
Impact of STP
Potential of No Adverse Impacts on
Health of STP Staff/Locals
++++ ++ + +++ +++ +++ ++
Potential of No Adverse Impacts on
Surrounding Building/Properties
++++ +++ ++ +++ +++ +++ ++++
Potential of Low Energy Requirement ++++ ++ ++ ++ ++ + ++++
Potential of Low Land Requirement +++ ++ ++ +++ +++ ++++ +
Potential of Low Capital Cost and
Recurring cost
++++ ++ ++ ++ ++ + ++++
Potential of Low Level of Skill in
Operation and Maintenance
++++ +++ +++ +++ ++ + ++++
Low : + Medium : ++ High : +++ Very high : ++++

14. Cost Comparison for variousTechnologies for SewageTreatment Plant
Sr
No
Assessment
Parameter/Technology
Transchem -
Bio Filter
ASP MBBR SBR
UASB+E
A
MBR WSP
1
(I) Capital Cost
Average Capital Cost
(Secondary Treatment)
+ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++++ +
2 (II) Area Requirements
Average Area, m2/MLD
Secondary Treatment +
Secondary sludge handling
550 900 450 450 1000 450 6000
Low : + Medium : ++ High : +++ Very high : ++++

15. (III) Operating Cost ( per MLD)
1
Power Cost
+ +++ +++ ++ ++ ++++ 0
2 Annual Repairs costs + +++ ++ ++ +++ ++++ +++
3 Chemical Cost 0 ++ ++ ++ +++ ++++ ++
4 Salary costs + ++++ ++++ ++ ++++ ++++ ++++
5 Annual O & M costs + +++ +++ +++ +++ ++++ ++
6 Approx . Treatment cost, Rs/KL 3.00-3.50 7-7.80 7.5-8.00 6.00-6.50 6.50-7.00 10.00-10.50 6.00-6.50
Sr No Assessment Parameter/Technology Transchem-
Bio Filter
ASP MBBR SBR UASB+EA MBR WSP
Cost Comparison for variousTechnologies for SewageTreatment Plant
Low : + Medium : ++ High : +++ Very high : ++++

16. Inside view of 800 KLD STP(Bhavnagar)

17. Comparison of Influent and Effluent from Bhavnagar SFT
BEFORE TREATMENT AFTER TREATMENT

18. Parameters Before
Treatment
After Biofilter
Treatment
After R.O. Treatment Standard Norms for
Land Irrigation
pH 7.0-7.8 7.5-8.0 7.0 – 7.5 5.5-9.0
TDS (ppm) 1500-2000 1200-1800 < 200 2100
Turbidity (NTU) 40-100 <2.0 Nil
COD (ppm) 200-400 50 - 80 < 20 100
BOD (ppm) 100-200 10 - 20 < 5 30
DO (ppm) Nil 3-4
Colour Dark Grey Pale Yellow Clear White
Odour Strong Odourless Odourless
Bio-Assay
--
100% survival of fish after
96 hours in 100% effluent
90% Survival of Fish
After 96 Hrs. in 100%
Effluent
Fecal Coliforms
(MPN/100ml)
> 10
6
< 10
3
< 100 < 10
3
Average Results Obtained (Bhavnagar)

19. Parameters Before
Treatment
After
Treatment
NH4 -N(ppm) 25-40 <1.0
NO3 (ppm) 10-20 >50
Total P (ppm) 4-8 1-2
Available P (ppm) 1-2 5-7
Potassium (ppm) 10-15 20-25
Nutrient Conversion In Treated Water (Bhavnagar)
Considering the nutrient content in treated water as:
• Available Nitrogen – 50 mg/l
• Available Phosphorous -- 7 mg/l &
•Available Potassium – 25 mg / I
And assuming 800 KLD treated water availability , the nutrient availability would be:
Nitrogen – 40 Kgs/day i.e. 14000 Kgs/annum eq. to 28 Tons of Urea
Phosphorous – 5.6 Kgs/day i.e. 2000 Kgs/annum eq. to 4.0 Tons of DAP
Potassium – 20 Kgs/day i.e. 7000 Kgs/annum eq. to 12.0 Tons of Potash

20. Modular Biofilter Plant
Capacity of Plant : 10 KLD

21. Sewage Treatment Plants Installed
Sr.
No
Name & Location Kind of waste
water
Cap. In
KLD
Before Treatment Water
Quality
Treated Water
Quality
% COD
Reduction
1 Excel Crop Care Ltd,
Bhavnagar
Sewage 800 BOD: 100-200 PPM
COD: 200-400 PPM
Turbidity: 40-100 NTU
BOD: 10-20 PPM
COD: 50-80 PPM
Turbidity: <2 NTU
80.00%
2 M/s Transpek Industry
Ltd, Vadodara
Sewage 50 BOD: 100-200 PPM
COD: 200-400 PPM
Turbidity: 40-100 NTU
BOD: 10-20 PPM
COD: 50-80 PPM
Turbidity: <2 NTU
80.00%
3 Agrocel, Kutch Sewage 25 BOD: 300-400 PPM
COD: 500-800 PPM
Turbidity: 200-250 NTU
BOD:20-30 PPM
COD: 80-100 PPM
Turbidity: 10-15 NTU
87.50%
4 Sam Fine O Chem,
Rajkot
Sewage 10 BOD: 100-200 PPM
COD: 800-1200 PPM
Turbidity: 200-250 NTU
BOD: 18-20 PPM
COD: 100-150 PPM
Turbidity: <5 NTU
95.80%
5 Gharda Institute of
Technology, Chiplun
Sewage 30 BOD: 300-400 PPM
COD: 500-800 PPM
Turbidity: 200-250 NTU
BOD: 18-20 PPM
COD: 80-100 PPM
Turbidity: < 10 NTU
87.50%

22. Industrial Treatment Plants
Sr.
No
Name & Location Kind of waste
water
Cap. In
KLD
Before Treatment
Water Quality
Treated Water
Quality
% COD
Reduction
1 M/s. Transpek,
Vadodara
Chemical
waste water
75 BOD: 1000 PPM
COD: 3500 PPM
Turbidity: 200-250 NTU
BOD: 50-100 PPM
COD: 150-200 PPM
Turbidity: < 5 NTU
94.2%
2 M/s. Avani Food
products , Mehasana
Casein
Manufacturing
6 BOD: 2000-3000 PPM
COD: 2500-4000 PPM
Turbidity:90-100 NTU
BOD: 30-50 PPM
COD: 60-125 PPM
Turbidity:5-15 NTU
96.8%
3 M/s. Ajrakhpur
Dyeing & Printing
Units, Kutch
Chemical &
Natural dye
50 BOD: 100-150 PPM
COD: 600-1500 PPM
Turbidity:200-400 NTU
BOD: <30 PPM
COD: 75-150 PPM
Turbidity:5-10 NTU
90%
4 M/s. Vivekanand
Rural Development
Institute, Mandvi-
Kutch
Dyes printing 2 BOD: 600-700 PPM
COD: 1500-2000 PPM
Turbidity:>1000 NTU
BOD: 15-30 PPM
COD: 150-200 PPM
Turbidity:5-10 NTU
90%

23. Industrial Treatment Pilot Trials
Sr.
No.
Name &
Location
Kind of waste
water
Before Treatment Water
Quality
Treated Water
Quality
% COD
Reduction
1 M/s Patanjali
Food Park,
Haridwar
Food
Processing
Waste water
BOD: 1000-1200 PPM
COD: 1500-2000 PPM
Turbidity: NTU
BOD: 50-100 PPM
COD: 150-200 PPM
Turbidity: NTU
90.00 %
2 M/s Vimal Dairy,
Mehsana &
M/s Baroda
Dairy, Vadodara
Dairy waste
water
BOD: 4500-9000 PPM
COD: 5500-12000 PPM
Turbidity: 15-30 NTU
BOD: 30-100 PPM
COD: 80-180 PPM
Turbidity: 15-30
NTU
98.50 %
3 M/s Dinesh Mills,
Ankaleshwar
Scouring
Liquor from
woolen Textile
BOD: 17500-18000 PPM
COD: 20000-20500 PPM
Turbidity: >1000 NTU
BOD: 250 PPM
COD: 400 PPM
Turbidity: <10 NTU
95.60 %
4 M/s Phthalo
colours, Vapi
Dye
Intermediate
waste water
BOD: 2000 PPM
COD: 6560 PPM
Turbidity: 200-250 NTU
BOD: 50-100 PPM
COD: 150-200 PPM
Turbidity: <5 NTU
96.95 %

24. Success on Industrial Waste Water
Our technology is successful in following industrial effluents :
Dairy Effluent
Alcohol Distillery
Food Processing waste water
Chemical processing waste water
Dye Intermediate waste water
Dye & printing units waste water
Capsule Manufacturing units

25. Contact Details
Contact Person:
Mr. Rajendra Shah (Business Head)
Mobile: +91 9558812967
Email: biofilterdivn@gmail.com
Mr. Mandar Prabhune (Technical Head)
Mobile: +91 9898508844
Email: mandarp@transpek.com
biofilterdivn@gmail.com

26. TechnicalAdvisors
Dr. Rajiv K Sinha (Technical Advisor)
Senior Associate Professor (Environmental Engineering),
Griffith University (Nathan Campus)
Brisbane, QLD-4111, Australia.
Shri. R.K.Sama ( Ex. Project Director, WASMO)
Mobile No. - 9825235749

27. Judiciously Use the 5 P's (Petrol, Power, Paper, Plastic & Potable Water)
Embrace the 5 R's Rule (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Be Responsible)
everyday in Life about WASTE.
THANK YOU
Transchem Agritech Ltd.
B/10,Sahjanad Kutir Udhyog,
Mujmahuda, Vadodara 390020,Gujarat,
India
Tel.: 91-265-6542247