Applying Ultrasound Technology to Controls Algae & Biofilm • Presented by Devon Assael, VP Sales & Marketing • SonicSolutions Algae Control, LLC [email protected] • Cell: 413.887.4544 • Prepared with George Hutchinson, CTO SonicSolutions Algae Control LLC COMPANY STARTED IN 2003, MERGED WITH ALGAECONTROL.US IN APRIL 2019 HQD IN MASSACHUSETTS, CTO/SALES OFFICE IN SC, MANUFACTURED IN TN ONLY 1 PRODUCT LINE SOLD BY THE COMPANY FOR PAST 15 YEARS THOUSANDS OF UNITS IN WATER WORLD-WIDE www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Toxic Blooms Loss of Recreation Dissolved O2 Crash, Fish kills Problems caused Clogging of Filters, drains, pumps, etc. by Algae Increased pH, TOC, TSS Odorous and unsightly Costly to treat on a consistent basis www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Most Common Treatment Options Chemical Aeration Bacteria Barley Ultrasound WTP – Launder Covers www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com How Ultrasound Works on Algae (the mini explanation) Unit produces 2000+ varying Frequencies sent out into the water column Different frequencies affect different algae types (genus) Blue-Green algae - Rupture Gas vacuoles / vesicles Green Algae - Break cell wall bond Interferes with Reproductive Cycle Expedited algae cell death Spirogyra – Before and after. 3 Weeks of ultrasound treatment www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Blue-Green Algae – Microcystis Gas Vacuoles Won’t break cell wall Ref: “Gas Vesicles”, Anthony E. Walsby, Microbiological Reviews, March, 1994 www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Scanning Electron Microscopy of Ultrasonic Damage to Blue-Green Algae Dr. Paul Zimba, Texas A&M Corpus Christi Gas Vesicles Release Gas to Outer Cell Wall Outer Wall is Permeable to Gas Untreated Cells Treated Cells for 24 Hours www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Toxin Release Concerns – Eliminated Ultrasound does not allow for lysing of the cell Ultrasound stops the cell growth & Does not break outside wall Cells disabled – can no longer generate nor release toxins www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Effects Of Ultrasound On Green Algae Centre for Aquatic Plant Management, UK Work Commissioned by Sonic Solutions, LLC The picture on the left shows healthy Spirogyra, with cells full of cytoplasm, and the characteristic spiraling chloroplasts. The algae was sourced from a tank at the CAPM in Sonning and had been healthy for at least 5 years. This picture was taken after only 7 days exposure to ultrasound. Already the plasmalemma is coming away from the cell wall, and the cells have shrunk. There is increased granulation of the cytoplasm, indicating loss of chloroplast structure, and loss of connectivity with other cells and the external environment. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Effects Of Ultrasound On Algae • Causes green algae to die in 3-4 weeks by internal cell fluid disruption. Range 150 meters radially or 17.5 acres. • Causes blue-green algae with gas vesicles to settle to the bottom in 3-4 days due to loss of buoyancy. Must die out of light. Range 400 meters radially or 120 acres. • Causes anaerobic bacteria to sense false water turbulence disrupting their growth and colonization. Range 60 meters radially or 2.8 acres. (Biofilm prevention) www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Hydro BioScience Product Line – Launched 2018 Patented August 2019 www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Green & Diatom Algae Control Range: 150 Meters Radially from device 17+ acres (7 hectare) Blue-Green Algae Control Range: 400 Meters Radially from device 124+ Acres (50 hectare) Peak Instantaneous Power: 50 watts www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Quattro-DB ® - Output Expected Range Blue-Green (cyanobacteria) Control Range Green Algae and Diatom Control Range Biofilm Control Zone www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Quattro-DB ® Land Based Solar Land Based 180 and 60 watt solar power systems. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com SolaRaft™ A complete system which includes the following 180 Watt Solar Panel system Quattro-DB transducer head & 1M cable Bird Deterrent System Navigation Lights Backup Rechargeable Batteries **Does NOT include Anchor www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Safe for everything…But Algae Will not Affect or Harm: Animals, fish, birds Aquatic plants or weeds Dogs, cats or children Will Affect: Blue-Green Algae Green Algae Non Conclusive to date: Red Algae / RED TIDE Golden Algae www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Some algae not controlled with ultrasound Pithophora Chara Nitella Hydrodictyon If it looks like a plant, it is unlikely that ultrasound will harm it. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com More types of Algae Not Controlled With Ultrasound Euglena Pediastrum Types Scendesmus Cylindrospermopsis Raciborskii Oscillatoria www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Who can use ultrasound technology? Large Lakes & Reservoirs Private and recreation ponds Golf courses Wineries Municipalities – WWTP, Water Facilities, Lagoons HOA Storm Retention Ponds Koi ponds and other aquaculture Sterling Vineyards, CA www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Why use Ultrasound Technology? Eco-friendly No permitting required No generation of By-products No genetic mutation of survivors. Simple to install and little maintenance Inexpensive to run (less than 50 watts of power) Reduces chemical usage Targets only algae Large bodies of water are not a problem Hegins, PA Wall biofilm where significant quantities of bacteria are produced can be significantly reduced or eliminated. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Disdvantages of Ultrasonic Algae and Biofilm Control Macrophytic or plantlike algae are more difficult to eliminate or are unaffected. Thick plants or these plantlike macrophytic algae structures can prevent ultrasound vibration to reach other parts of the water to be treated A “line of sight” to the algae must be available for the transducer output to be effective. A few algae types will not be affected by ultrasound (some euglenoids, oscillatoria, some scendesmus, macrophytic, and some colonical types like pediastrum are resistant). Patience is required as weeks are sometimes needed for full effectiveness on algae. Precleaning surfaces is necessary for the greatest biofilm prevention benefit. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Things to keep in mind Takes time to work!! Patience is key Blue-Green algae – can see results in a few days Green algae – 3 weeks – 3 months depending on the algae Bloom-Kill Cycle Ultrasound cannot control outside factors Nutrient Loading Weather / natural and environmental influences “Tool in the Toolbox” www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Time Lapse Results Using Quattro-DB ® Unit Private pond in Iowa Start Day 14 Day 21 Day 28 Filamentous algae take about 3-4 weeks to fully die from ultrasonic damage. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Drone Photo of Quattro-DB ® Unit – Ohio www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Solar Powered Quattro-DB ® Application: DowDupont River Works, Orange TX www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Quattro-DB ® Applications: Floating Solar unit in Drinking Water Reservoir, Putnam Lake, CT Aquarion Water Company of CT www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Case Study Algae Control without Chemicals For UTILITIES Presented by Devon Assael, VP Sales & Marketing SonicSolutions, LLC [email protected] Cell: 413.887.4544 Prepared with Jared Berry, Mississippi Chemistry Specialist, Entergy Background – Entergy, Attala Plant • At the Attala Plant, seasonal issues occur with Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) growth in our source water. • Big Black River > 60 Day Pond > 7 Day Pond > Clarifier > Raw Water Storage/RO feed > CT/Demin Tank • Previously we have not been able to apply traditional treatment methods to control the algae growth and it is getting worse ever year. • This begins to grow in the 60 day pond where the nutrients from the agricultural run-off are consumed. • The algae rapidly grows in the shallow water of the 7 day pond where the optimal conditions exist for proliferation. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Blue-Green Algae Identified • A sample was sent to Mississippi State University to perform a toxicity study and it was determined that our bacteria was non- toxic • The species of Cyanobacteria contained in the Entergy water source was identified as Microcystis • Several species of Microcystis release a Neurotoxin 29 www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com 1 Issues caused by Blue-Green Algae at Attala plant • Small, weak, light flocculation • Clogged sand filters • Biological fouling of RO membranes and heat exchangers • Excessive chemical consumption in the cooling tower to treat the increase biologicals • Excessive cost to treat incoming raw water for plant use. 30 www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Installation On 2/13/2017, an Ultra-Sonic sound wave device was installed and put in service. The SS-600 ultrasound unit (now discontinued) was installed on the north bank of the pond directed south for optimal coverage. Pond Size: approx. 11 acres www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com 1 Initial Trial A 90 day trial had begun and the results became apparent after the first month. A small algae bloom had developed and the dead algae was noted floating on the surface. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Conclusion of 90-Day Trial / Case Study Results: • Decreased TOC in water treatment plant inlet water • Decreased labor in Clarifier operations • Decreased chemical consumption • Decreased Maintenance in Raw Water Supporting Systems • Substantial financial savings www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Proven to be effective This device is proven to be effective for a low cost treatment of Blue-Green Algae and Green Algae in surface water. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Case Study Ultrasound for Algae Control Drinking Water Reservoir Wilmington, OH www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com Background – Reservoirs 1 & 2 – Wilmington, OH • Historically had Green