PAC-Solution R&D program in Oulu

Tero Luukkonen1, Teuvo Kekko1, Pasi Makkonen2, Ville Välimäki2, Petri Vänskä2, Simo Pehkonen3, Ulla Lassi4 and Jaakko Rämö5

1PAC-Solution Ltd, Pasilankatu 2, FI-00240, Helsinki, Finland / Elektroniikkatie 3, FI-90590, Oulu, Finland 2PacsData Ltd, Pasilankatu 2, FI-00240, Helsinki, Finland

3Masdar Institute of Science and technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates4University of Oulu, Department of Chemistry, FI-90014, University of Oulu, Finland

5Thule institute, Rakentajantie 3, FI-90014 University of Oulu, Finland

COMPANY

PAC–Solution Ltd. aims at developing technology, which enables intensifying the water circulation, destroying microbes that are dangerous to health, and creating more sustainable and energy-efficient water treatment solutions. The PACS8 system has been created to fulfill the need for cost-effective and fast water purification.

The company promotes sustainable development and develops individually tailored and responsible complete solutions for environmental problems and improves the level of water safety at a global level.

R & D PROGRAM IN OULU

WASTE WATER TREATMENT AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficiency of aerationAeration is the most significant electrical energy consumer in most waste water treatment plants (WWTP). The PACS8 system can improve the energy efficiency by addition of dissolved oxygen, decreasing bubble size and affecting mass transfer of oxygen.

Improvement of nitrificationWaste water often contains toxic and microbially inhibiting compounds. PACS8 system can be used to oxidize these compounds and improve operation of nitrifying bacteria.

Heavy metal removalHealth and environmental problems causing heavy metals can be removed with natural adsorbent. Heavy metal research is done with an Asian partner in co-operation.

Sludge treatmentDisinfected sludge can be re-used in agriculture, soil improvement product, in parks, gardening etc. Dried sludge is also an ecological fuel. Disinfection and drying can be accomplished with the PACS8 System.

Odour removal Many odour causing compounds (like hydrogen sulfide or methyl

mercaptan) of waste water can be oxidized with the PACS8 system. This removes also health concerns of WWTP staff and nearby residences.

Disinfection of waste waterThe PACS8 system can be used for post-disinfection of waste water safely as used chemical does not form harmful disinfection by-products and residual disinfectant can be monitored online.

PRETREATMENT OF RAW WATER FOR POTABLE WATER TREATMENT

Improvement of odour, taste and colour of drinking waterMany odour, taste or colour causing components (like geosmin, 2-methylisoborneol, iron and manganese) in surface or ground water can be oxidized with the PACS8 system.

Pretreatment of raw waterThe PACS8 system can be used for pretreatment (e.g. improvement of coagulation) of raw water because of accurate control of residual chemical and dosage.

Improvement of humic substances removalHumic substances are naturally occuring organic compounds that cause colour and taste problems and also form carsinogenic compounds with halogens. The PACS8 system can improve the humic substance removal in the coagulation phase.

b)

Fig. 1. a.) Taskila pilot plant. b.) Patented online residual disinfectant analyzer.

Fig 2. The PACS8 system.

PILOT PLANT AT TASKILA

Central part of the research program is a pilot scale WWTP (Fig. 1) located at Taskila water works in Oulu. The pilot WWTP consists of two water treatment processes: one for testing PACS8 system and PACS chemical and the other for reference.

a.) b.)

PACS8 SYSTEM

The PACS8 system consists of following components:• Dosing system of the PACS chemical• Online measurements (redox potential, residual disinfectant etc.)• Data collection and remote monitoring• Automated control of the system based on online data

The PACS8 system is shown schematically in Fig. 2.