FERMAWAY - PROCESS

FERMAWAY® AERATOR enables efficient and fast aeration of water, which results in the oxidation of metals present in water such as iron and manganese, with simultaneous degazation, ie removal of unwanted gases such as hydrogen sulphide, methane, carbon dioxide. Efficient aeration creates the necessary preconditions for successful biological removal of ammonia.

The most important part of the AERATOR is OXYMIXER mixers, which enable an unusually efficient mixing of water and air. In the aerator tank there are tubes in which water and air are mixed. During this process, a large amount of filtered air is sucked directly into the water without the use of additional equipment except the well pump. The water, under a heavy turbulent flow is simultaneously dispersed into very small water drops, mainly to a mist, and is effectively mixed with the fresh air achieving an immediate and very intense aeration and oxidizing reaction.

When dispersed water and air are intensively mixed, gases such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S), radioactive radon (Rn), methane (CH4) traverse from the water into the air, which is vented out  of the system in the open air. Hydrogen sulfide is a very toxic gas of an unpleasant odor (the smell of rotten eggs), and most importantly is to remove it from the water completely to avoid intoxication of the friendly microorganisms who oxidize ammonia (NH3) into nitrite (NO2-) and nitrite in nitrate (NO3-).

If this transition to nitrate is not fully carried through, the effectiveness of the oxidation of manganese (Mn) to manganese dioxide (MnO2) is slowed down or alternatively completely stopped.

Aggressive (free) carbon dioxide (CO2) is reduced and the pH value increases as the acidification is neutralized.

Oxygen in the air, which is about 20%, chemically oxidizes dissolved iron (Fe2+), which precipitates to insoluble iron (Fe3+). Most of the iron precipitates immediately and stay on the top of the sand filter. Eventual remaining residue oxidizes on the sand filter.

Manganese is oxidized to MnO2, which forms a layer on the surface of the sand filter, the resulting MnO2 further participates in the process of absorption of manganese, iron and other metals.

The sand filter has two important functions:

  • To mechanically filter water to remove oxides of metal and suspended solid particles
  • To carry friendly microorganisms who oxidize ammonia and filter out the impurities from the water

The combination of mechanical and biological purification of water in a sand filter allows the filtration process to be very efficient and stable. In order to remove precipitated metal oxides and suspended solid particles, it is necessary to periodically backwash the sand filter.

Summary of the FERMAWAY® natural purification process step by step

 

Aerator

  1. Neutralizes CO2 and raises pH.
  2. Removes H2S, VOC, Rn and CH4.
  3. Oxidizes iron Fe2 to insoluble Fe3+.
  4. Create a good and healthy environment in the subsequent filter.

 

Sand filter

  1. Mechanical filtration of Fe3+ and other precipitated metals.
  2. Oxidizes biologically NH3 to NO2-.
  3. Oxidizes biologically NO2- to NO3-.
  4. Oxidizes Mn to MnO2.
  5. MnO2 absorbs Mn, Fe and other metals.