Proceedings

The Eco-Bio® Process is a technique in Biocatalysis for accelerating the rate of biological treatment of contaminated water and soil. It involves dosing small quantities of concentrated natural plant extracts, rich in bioavailable secondary and tertiary micronutrients (Dakarin®). The secondary micronutrients accelerate the metabolic rate of indigenous microorganisms in the wastewater. The tertiary micronutrients provide growth factors for increasing the population density of the desired microorganisms. The net effect is several-fold. Firstly, it enables a decrease in wastewater treatment times, resulting in greater plant throughput and improvement of effluent quality. Secondly, enhanced digestion of the biological floc matrix results in water release, which increases sludge density, improves sludge settleability and decreases sludge production. Thirdly, Dakarin® eliminates the root cause of septicity by stimulating sulphatase enzyme production which hydrolyses sulphides to sulphate and elemental sulphur. It also enhances the decomposition of odorous organic sulphur and nitrogenous compounds

This paper describes the Eco-Bio® process in detail through the use of successfully implemented full-scale case studies in the water and waste management industries in the UK and Europe.

KEY WORDS Biocatalysis, Dakarin®, Eco-Bio®, leachate treatment, micronutrients, odour treatment, septicity, sewage treatment, sludge digestion