Installation

General Installation Process

Step 1.   Key components are configured at our facility.
Step 2.   Software and control systems are configured.
Step 3.   Bulk materials, IBC totes, and large items (e.g. BioTreat plastic tanks) are drop shipped to your site.
Step 4.   We come onsite to manage assembly and startup of the systems.

Please review the specification sheets for individual products for specific needs. For example, BioTreat systems require only a flat are covered with packed crusher dust (fine aggregate). Yieldmax systems should be mounted on a small concrete footer. PhytovVap systems require some method of elevating the plant containers (we call them “buckets” or “Dutch Buckets”) so that drainage can flow back into the sump. In some cases you may need to bury the sump/reservoir into the ground to achieve gravity flow.

Expected Customer Site Prep

The following items are commons to many of our installations.  Each site may vary.

  • A forklift with operator to move pallets of equipment into position during installation
  • Single phase or three phase electrical connections provided to the site (Solar powered systems don’t need this)
  • A source of water to be treated. Each system may have slightly different requirements.
Electrical Installation
BioTreat System Installation
Water Testing
MBBR Loading with Tractor

Safety Considerations

We take job site and operating safety as the number 1 requirement. Operating safety can include:

  • Chemical safety and training for all customer staff that may be operating our systems.
  • Safety interlocks to enable routine cleaning and maintenance.
  • Strict adherence to applicable OSHA Safety guidelines.

Please contact us if you need any safety or operating documents translated into the dominant language at your site. In North America, we provide this document in English and Spanish.

Specialized Equipment Needs

The most common requirement involves BioTreat tanks. Because we modify the internals and external connections to these tanks, we often have to work at or near the top of the tank (can be 15-25’ in the air). We require our staff to wear the appropriate personal protection equipment and use climbing harnesses when working at higher elevations. This is always a 2 person job with a third person supervising.

Likewise, loading these tanks with biofilm carriers during installation requires a carefully controlled process. One of our team members will operate a high-lift forklift to raise the bulk bags above the tank. A second member will be at the top of the tank in full harness. A third member will guide the fork operator when position the bulk bags over the top of the tanks so that the biofilm carriers can flow into the tanks.

TWS Bioreactor System
TWS Staff Members Installing Pumps
Hazardous Materials Removal

Hazardous Materials

We make every effort to avoid the use of flammable, caustic, or acidic materials. When we do use these chemicals (e.g. ethanol for the FireWater units) we store the ethanol at low concentrations (around 15% ethanol), and only concentrate them at the point of use to minimize the volume. 

BioTreat systems, by contrast, are loaded with bacteria, Customers should always avoid physical contact with the water in these systems and wash their hands if they come into contact with “bioreactor water”, as it is sometimes known. A face-mask should also be work when doing maintenance to avoid any splashes that could cause your technician to ingest the bacteria.  

Please see the systems safety considerations data sheet for each product for specific requirements.