by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“If you can build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door.”
The Ralph Waldo Emerson penned statement becomes even more true when the “better mousetrap” protects the environment, reduces one’s carbon footprint and reduces operating cost.
That’s what’s going on at Jacksonville-based BCR Environmental, a company helping municipal utilities and industries around the world advance their green initiative with some extra economic advantages.
Populations, both urban and rural, are growing daily and environmental regulations are constantly becoming more stringent, making the reuse of wastewater one of the key components of protecting the environment.
The engineers behind BCR’s “Neutralizer” system took what was just an idea seven years ago and transformed it into reality.
The system uses a compound called chlorine dioxide, known as one of the most effective disinfectants. It hasn’t been widely used for one reason, though: it explodes when it comes in contact with air, so storage and delivery were two insurmountable issues from an engineering standpoint.
The company has invented a patented process that was first tested in the field in 2006 at a facility in Clay County, with BCR investing $1.2 million to provide the equipment and installation.
“We basically built a municipal wastewater treatment plant on spec,” said Deno Hicks, president of BCR’s Florida Division.
One way the system saves operating cost is by reducing the amount of time required for wastewater processing from 40 days to as little as eight hours. Another way is the nature of the byproduct. Traditional treatment methods produce what is called “Class B” biosolids which are usually taken to a landfill.
If the material is spread out as fertilizer, the amended soil can’t be used for livestock grazing for at least a year, said Hicks. BCR’s process can produce “Class AA” biosolids, which are free of pathogens and metals and ready to use for agriculture or golf course maintenance, among others.
“We’re able to replace something that has to be handled like hazardous waste with a material that farmers will fight over,” said Hicks.
Last March, the Clay County Utility Authority released the results of an independent engineering study that concluded BCR’s system is, “the most economical alternative in treating biosolids residuals,” when evaluated in terms of “initial capital costs as well as ongoing operational and maintenance expenses.”
The Authority not only bought the original system from BCR, they also purchased two more and are considering a third.
Since the first installation, BCR has expanded its market first into
the entire State of Florida and then internationally with plants in Mexico and Brazil. The applications for the process have also expanded into poultry plants, food and beverage processing and the pulp and paper industries.
“We can improve the wastewater treatment process anywhere there is an organic byproduct,” said Hicks.
Developing a product and process that produces reusable water, a material rich in nutrients and has its own commercial value would be enough to make a water treatment company successful.
Hicks said adding the elements of environmental stewardship and sustainability is a welcome bonus.
“There’s no doubt that as time goes on there will be even more pressure on the wastewater treatment industry to become more environmentally conscious and develop sustainable technology,” he said. “I think it’s exciting that there is a company in Jacksonville that is truly green and is showing utility operators how they can be green and actually save money.”
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