The Omiflo Phytofix system utilises 3 key components to achieve exceptional treatment results
Powerful plants
Specially bred macrophytes plants inject oxygen into the wastewater thereby increasing the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the water. This happens naturally through the plant’s permeable and internal structures. The macrophyte plant’s Aerenchyma (air channels) transport oxygen from the atmosphere down to the roots where they passively aerate the water. The roots passive aeration provides oxygen to fixed biofilm aerobic bacteria that break down nutrients and contaminants. The green floating filters has a very high capacity to filter and retain most of the total solids found in wastewater.
Floating green filters can grow about 3 meters high and 0.0011 kg/m2 of aerial plant mass. That allows for concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the water of between 1.2 ppm O2 over the entire surface area of the water where the filters are located, and to a depth of 0.99 meters, so that the volume of water in the lagoon with highly aerobic conditions is very high.
2. Floatation Lattice
Phytofix uses a unique process and patented device that enables the macrophytes plants to float on water. The water body can be an artificially constructed lagoon/pond or natural water body, as opposed to having them embedded in soil, gravel, sand etc.
This approach dramatically increases the active root area in contact with the water which results in increased efficiency, in a smaller footprint, without the usual problems of diminished activity found in other systems.
The roots of the macrophytes behave like a large sponge designed for the retention of particles and flow distribution because all of the water is compelled to pass through the system. The water is channelled from the deepest roots to those nearest the surface boosting the reduction of total solids or SP (suspended particles). It significantly enhances the processes of removal of BOD5, COD, and TSS.
3. Ponds/Lagoons
We design lagoons or ponds based on the wastewater characteristics, the clients requirements, and the layout of the property.
The water body is critical as it becomes a host for a smart eco-system and helps creates a symbiotic relationship between the plants and the contaminated water. We try to use gravity as much as possible for simple and energy free operations where applicable.
It is therefore critical that lagoons are carefully designed for optimum function, and simplicity of use.
OmiFLo’s Phytofix can be installed in new lagoons, or in existing stabilisation ponds. The installation of this system in an existing lagoon or treatment plant dramatically increases the treatment capacity resulting in a low-cost upgrade of the treatment facility.
Phytofix can be used to reduce sludge production, for odour elimination and for energy reduction. Floating Green Filters have been installed into conventional treatment plants (installing the filter into the aeration tanks, clarifiers and decanters).
Plants have been used in water treatment (phytoremediation) for centuries around the world, including in modern systems like constructed wetlands. OmiFlo takes plant based water treatment to the next level with the introduction of our proprietary floatation system. This is a hardware unit that plants macrophyte hydroponically onto the surface of the wastewater lagoons to form a “Floating Green Filter”. This plant based treatment filter, uses similar plants to a constructed wetland, but rather than planting in gravel, the matrix allows plants to be installed directly on the water surface which allows us to accomplish a few outstanding feats outlined below.
The OmiFlo Phytofix uses a much smaller footprint compared to constructed wetlands and stabilisation ponds, it results in lowers installation and maintenance costs, yet it provides a higher effectiveness. This design uses no power or chemicals, and has the added benefit of eliminating bad smells entirely and clogging permanently.
Phytoremediation filter + Hydroponics = Phytofix
