Overview

Soldevco/Ultra-Oxygen conducted a 60-day trial at Spier Wine Estate’s wastewater treatment works (WWtW) in October–November 2024, combining Micro- and Ultra-Fine Bubble technology (MB/UFB) with Drylet proprietary bioremediation (UO2-Drylet Biocatalyst).

The campaign aimed to:

1. Elevate dissolved-oxygen (DO) transfer

2. Accelerate microbial breakdown of complex organics

3. Reduce sludge, solids and odorous emissions

4. Stabilize key effluent parameters for safe irrigation reuse. All tests ran at 20 °C and 24 hours hydraulic retention time (HRT), under real-world influent conditions drawn from     diverse winery, spa, accommodation, and agricultural sources.

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Baseline Challenges

‍Prior to intervention, Soldevco observed:

• Anoxic upstream pH: 4.0 in Wine Mixing Tank, far below microbial optima.
• Extremely high organic loads: COD 8,368 mg/L; BOD₅ 2,282 mg/L.
• Low initial DO: 0.1 mg/L in anoxic zone; only 2.6 mg/L entering Reedbed.
• Excessive solids: TSS 3,972 – 4,572 mg/L in Bioreactors; 10 mL/L settleable solids.
• Pathogen regrowth: E. coli > 2,419 CFU/100 mL in anoxic zone; 62 CFU/100 mL at reedbed inlet.
• Algal overgrowth and black, turbid Reedbed channel signifying anaerobic pockets and poor polishing.

These irregularities—exacerbated by breakpoint chlorination and pH shocks—threatened compliance and operational stability.

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Integrated UFB + Drylet Biocatalysis

Ultra-Fine Bubbling (UFB) Configuration     

• Viper Units: Two Viper 100 + two Viper 70 in Bioreactors1&2.
• Flow rates: 870 L/min water; 170 L/min air (0.3 vvm).
• Air mix: 1.8 m³/h at ~80 % O₂ + 3.3 m³/h ambient air.
• Outcome: DO rose from 0.64 mg/L → 6.1 mg/L (Chamber1&2), 5.3 mg/L (Chamber 3&4), and up to 10.6 mg/L before irrigation.

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Drylet Proprietary Biocatalyst

• Weekly dosing: 90 g BioReact into the anoxic tank; 570 g AquaAssist into Bioreactors 1 & 2.
• Total usage over one month: 360 g BioReact; 2.28 kg AquaAssist.
• Targets lignin, humic acids, proteins, and fibrous solids—boosting hydrolysis and acidogenesis.

Drylet’s patented porous media delivers protected, highly active microbes deep into the solids layers—dramatically accelerating hydrolysis and degradation.

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Performance Results

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• Rapid compliance: Effluent met irrigation standards for COD/BOD, nutrients and solids by day 28.
• Odor and H₂S: Headspace H₂S fell from 12 ppm → 5.4 ppm (−55%), correlating with clear visual improvements in Reedbed and Ying-Yang Dam.
• Pathogen reduction: E. coli/fecal coliforms dropped to ~520 CFU/100 mL, 80% below raw levels despite under-performing Reedbed.

Key Findings

1. Exceptional Nitrification: Ultra-oxygenation + biocatalysis achieved near-complete ammonia removal, a critical hurdle in high-strength winery effluent.
2. Outstanding Organic Degradation: Combined technologies reduced COD/BOD to single-digit mg/L, far exceeding individual interventions.
3. Superior Solids Management: TSS and settleable solids were virtually eliminated, enabling direct irrigation reuse and avoiding clogging.
4. pH Restoration: System self-balanced from acidic to neutral–alkaline range, reinstating optimal microbial activity.
5. Enhanced DO Profile: Sustained high DO through bioreactors and polishing stages, reversing anoxic channel conditions.

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Conclusion

This trial unequivocally demonstrates that Soldevco Pty Ltd's patented Micro- and Ultra-Fine Bubble technology, when coupled with Drylet’s proprietary bioremediation, produces a powerful synergistic effect, achieving rapid, robust removal of nitrogen, organics, solids, and odors under highly variable load conditions. This integrated approach delivers a scalable, cost-effective blueprint for sustainable wastewater management, transforming challenging effluents into irrigation-quality water with minimal capital outlay and operational disruption.

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Prepared by SOLDEVCO with analytical support from CSIR laboratory.

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