WarraniumSAF - Submerged Aerated Filter

The WarraniumSAF Submerged Aerated Filter or SAF is a very compact, robust and trouble-free process ideally suited to package type plants for communities and labour camps. The process employs a structured, support media and this forms an ideal place for the biomass to attach itself. The wastewater then passes through the matrix where the biomass consumes the organic matter.

The connections underneath will take you to more information on each of the designs.

The WarraniumSAF media is a non-clogging structure, fixed set up and with a very high surface area for the volume, it occupies. It fits fully submerged in the biozone. The water goes through the cross fluted media in an exact way, flowing through every part ensuring excellent contact with the biomass. Air is introduced underneath and the media ensures very high oxygen transfer rates, allowing for small air blowers and reduced running costs. After the biozone, a standard settlement tank is used to elucidate the water of any biomass that has segregated itself from the support grid. The is no requirement for a sludge recirculation system.

WarraniumSAF Biozone Flow Pattern - Cross-section schematic showing the water flow pattern within the biozone. The careful placement of the air sparge pipes supply the diffused air with a very high oxygen transfer efficiency, close to fine bubble air diffusion system. Above the air sparge pipes, the water flow is ‘air-lifted’ and then allowed to gravitate down, causing a circular, fully mixed flow within the biozone. The water flow pattern provides excellent contact between the water and its nutrients and the biomass attached to the media. A further benefit is a very long sludge age, partial de- nitrification, low sludge production and low energy consumption.

The plant does not need constant operator attention and is happy to run in automatic mode for extended periods. WarraniumSAF plants deliver a very high quality of effluent to meet the highest standards specified, including a fully nitrified Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE). The WarraniumSAF attached growth technology can be added to existing plants to upgrade the final effluent, in particular for plants suffering high ammonia levels in their effluent. Often the WarraniumSAF Biozone, dedicated to ammonia removal is sufficient but in other cases, a further settlement tank will be needed.

For complete de-nitrification the Warranium submerged, attached growth technology used in the WarraniumSAF is modified to an anaerobic process call the WarraniumSNAF (Submerged Non-Aerobic Filter). With hydraulic circulation, nutrient and alkalinity dosing, the effluent can be fully de- nitrified in cases where nitrates would be unacceptable in the receiving waters.

Warranium Energy has standardised WarraniumSAF plants which are ISO Container sized for easy, worldwide shipping. The capacities of these standardised plants are: 50 m3 per day up to 1000 m3 per day all with tertiary treatment giving an effluent quality of 10 mg/l BOD and 10 mg/l suspended solids. These can serve 250 persons - 5,000 persons. Larger sizes are individually sized and manufactured up to municipal sized plants with either steel fabricated tanks or locally constructed concrete tanks.

The WarraniumSAF process is ideal for upgrading and increasing the capacity of existing treatment works by utilising the tank work in place. Below is a photo of an old activated sludge plant having its aeration tank upgraded with Modular WarraniumSAF technology. All prefabricated and factory tested for rapid installation and minimal disruption. WarraniumSAF plants are often in stock for immediate despatch worldwide.