Alpha Tech Pet, Inc. - Product Detail Binder (January 2013)

Novozymes Biologicals, Inc. has been developing the technology of bioaugmentation for the degradation of sanitary and agricultural wastes since 1969. In the 1970’s, Novozymes’ expanded their research and development to include microorganisms designed to degrade common chemical components of industrial wastes. In the 1980’s, Novozymes developed application technology engineered for bioremediation of contaminated soils and groundwater. Today Novozymes is the leader in the industry. With the development of new industrial processes, new waste components are continuously identified as targets for microbial degradation. However, throughout the evolution of this technology, one of the major waste components causing widespread waste treatment problems continues to be grease. A major focus of Novozymes’ R&D program has been the continuous development of technology for high rates of grease degradation. In 1979, Novozymes patented a specific organism developed for grease, degradation and a process using this organism in a synergistic relationship with several other strains to rapidly breakdown oil and grease in municipal and industrial wastewater. In 1995 Novozymes again improved this technology by developing a microbial consortia that targets the harder to degrade long chain fatly acids that accumulate in wastes. The major area of grease accumulation, which causes waste treatment problems, is in the municipal collection system. With population increase, popularity of fast food restaurants, and design limitations of aging systems, the maintenance programs for the municipal collection systems become increasingly complicated and costly. Major cities own thousands of miles of sewer lines and municipalities spend a significant percentage of their budgets on the maintenance of these systems. Typically, municipal budgets are very limited. The established procedures for maintenance of these systems are largely reactive, responding to problems as they occur. Historically, grease build-up in collection system lines causes many emergency maintenance service calls: 4.) Health hazards are associated with the spread of pathogen-laden sewage. With the advent of blood borne pathogen regulations the public is more aware of potential health hazards and the required procedures for handling sewage contaminated materials are considerably more rigorous and costly. Problems must often be resolved on an emergency basis and often involve labor intensive and costly repairs. Problem lines may be difficult to reach and can cause costly excavations. Due to design flaws or excessively heavy loading, many lines cause repeated problems. Novozymes’ collection system treatment allows the collection system maintenance department to become proactive instead of reactive. THEORY OF BIOAUGMENTATION IN COLLECTION SYSTEMS “The naturally-occurring organisms present in collection systems are predominantly fecal coliforms. Because of their low genetic diversity, these organisms contribute little to effective wastewater treatment.” l Organisms that have demonstrated high rates and wide ranges of biodegradation capabilities are generally the saprophytic soil bacteria, such as species of Pseudomonas and Bacillus. Soil organisms may enter the collection system by infiltration or soil run-off; however, this “seeding” are a very small percentage of the organisms that are naturally introduced into the collection system. With the technology Novozymes developed, addition of selectively adapted saprophytic soil organisms can fortify the indigenous population to effectively remove the deposits of grease that typically collect in sewers. 1.) Streets are flooded disrupting traffic, causing public relations problems from irate citizens and business owners. 2.) Homes are damaged with sewage back up leading to expensive repairs of homes. Often re-landscaping of lawns and fencing destroyed during line repair is required. 3.) Odor problems add to public relations problems especially as they occur in business or tourist areas.