Our country has a tropical climate all year round, which is very favorable for the cultivation of the sugarcane industry. The production of sugarcane is increasing and developing to meet consumer demand, providing many jobs for people. In recent years, machinery and equipment have been upgraded, resulting in rapid production capacity increases. However, this has led to significant concerns regarding air pollution, solid waste, and especially wastewater from the sugarcane industry.

1. Characteristics of Sugarcane Wastewater

Sugarcane wastewater contains a large amount of organic matter, such as cellulose, carbohydrates, glucose, sucrose, nitrogen, phosphorus, and a very high level of sediment. These substances are easily decomposed by microorganisms, causing strong odors and pollution of the receiving water's color quality. Additionally, the wastewater contains many suspended solids from the raw material washing process, and a significant amount of sugar and components from additives and detergents is lost in the sugarcane factory wastewater.

2. Sources of Sugarcane Wastewater

During production, wastewater is generated at many stages, and the pollution levels of these wastewaters vary:

+ Wastewater from the preliminary processing of sugarcane before pressing, and the cooling process of sugarcane pressing shafts, contains high levels of organic matter due to the sugar content in sugarcane juice and oil pollution from shaft cooling.

+ Wastewater from filtration, boiler cooling, condensation after heating, sugar concentration, and cooking, as well as from washing tools and equipment, and cleaning floors. This stage generates a large amount of wastewater.

+ Other wastewater includes domestic wastewater from dining and sanitary areas for factory staff.

3. Sugarcane Factory Wastewater Treatment Technology

- The wastewater from the production process, after collection, is led to sand settling, where a coarse screen removes large-sized sediments to ensure the subsequent stages. Then it passes through a fine screen to retain smaller sediments and goes to the receiving pit.

- In the receiving pit, the wastewater is pumped to the oil and grease separator. Oil and grease generated from cleaning machinery and equipment will float to the surface and are periodically removed.

- The equalization tank balances the flow. Here, an aeration system is installed to mix and balance the wastewater flow for the subsequent stages.

- Wastewater is pumped from the equalization tank to the UASB anaerobic biological tank. In anaerobic conditions and reverse flow, anaerobic microorganisms perform anaerobic biological processes, using organic matter as a food source, producing gases like methane and CO2, and breaking down into simpler organic substances. The treatment efficiency can reach 60-70% of BOD and COD levels.

- The biological filter tank has a submerged material layer where aerobic microorganisms adhere to the surface of the materials. The wastewater flows over the filter materials, facilitating contact for microorganisms. The tank is equipped with air diffuser discs.

- After aerobic biological treatment, the mixture of water and sludge is led to the settling tank for sedimentation. Water rises to the top, sludge settles at the bottom, and is led to the sludge holding tank to compress sludge and reduce water content.

- Wastewater is led to the coagulation and flocculation tank to treat the remaining sediment. Aluminum sulfate chemicals are added to perform coagulation reactions, and polymers are added during flocculation to help bind and form large sediment flocs, increasing sedimentation efficiency.

- In the physico-chemical settling tank, the sludge flocs will settle and separate from the water. The separated wastewater is pumped to the pressure filtration system to remove remaining sediment. After pressure filtration, the wastewater flows to the disinfection tank to eliminate bacteria and pathogens in the wastewater.

- The final wastewater meets environmental standards QCVN 40/2011BTNMT column A and is discharged into the receiving source.

4. Application of Microorganisms for Sugarcane Wastewater Treatment

BIOCLEAN ACF SC MARINE

Highlights:

• Operates in salinity conditions of <30‰ (3%). 
• Reduces BOD, COD, and TSS in wastewater.
• Quickly improves cases of shock load when wastewater shows signs of salinity.
• Enhances the effectiveness of wastewater treatment systems with high concentrations of fiber, sludge, and cellulose fibers.
• Treats wastewater turbidity and improves water color.

BIOCLEAN ACF AD ACTIVATOR

Highlights:

• Enhances anaerobic degradation efficiency for UASB tanks.
• Increases the removal efficiency of BOD and COD in wastewater.
• Improves effectiveness for biogas tanks, septic tanks, and anaerobic conditions.
• Reduces H2S, and sludge formation.
• Optimizes the effective microbial community in anaerobic conditions.
• Broadly degrades complex organic compounds, including facultative anaerobic bacteria.

BIOCLEAN ACF-NITRO ACTIVATOR

• Highlights:

Contains two specialized strains for nitrification:

• Nitrosomonas sp (convert Ammonia to Nitrite).
• Nitrobacter sp (convert Nitrite to Nitrate).

* Nitrosomonas bacteria: convert ammonia to nitrite. The nitritation stage forms NO2-

NH4+ + 3/2 O2 → NO2- + H2O + 2H+ + energy

* Nitrobacter bacteria: convert nitrite to nitrate. The nitratation stage forms NO3-

NO2- + ½ O2 →  NO3- + energy

- Reduces ammonia and total nitrogen output in the system, enhancing nitrification.

- Reduces ammonia odor in the system.

- Addresses microorganism death due to shock loads with high nitrogen content.

*** ACF AD, ACF SC MARINE, ACF NA are optimally and effectively combined for use in both anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic biological systems to enhance BOD, COD, and TSS treatment processes, handle high total nitrogen, improve water color, and control odors, treat cellulose in wastewater, and ensure discharge meets permitted wastewater standards.

5. Where to Buy Genuine Bioclean Microorganisms

- The Bioclean - Aquaclean microbial line is trusted by many treatment operations.

- Genuine products are 100% imported from the USA and exclusively distributed by Biotech Vietnam.

- In addition to the products mentioned, Biotech Vietnam Company also supplies specialized products for treating nitrogen, ammonia, sludge, odor, organic grease, septic tanks, and cesspits.

Besides the environmental segment, Biotech Vietnam also provides products for aquaculture and agriculture. For more information, please visit the website: https://www.biotechvietnam.org/

BIOTECH VIETNAM

11/11A Nguyen Van Mai Street, Ward 4, Tan Binh District, HCMC

Hotline: 0914.811.441