Spain’s First Combined UV-Chlorine Dioxide Disinfection Treatment System Installed

Severn Trent Services-Apliclor has installed Spain’s first-ever combined ultraviolet and chlorine dioxide disinfection treatment at a wastewater treatment plant in Reus, Spain – a site operated by the municipal water company Aigues de Reus Empresa Municipal. The disinfection system uses MicroDynamics® microwave ultraviolet (UV) technology combined with Aquadiox® chlorine dioxide generators to provide effective and cost-efficient treatment of wastewater for variety of reuse applications, reducing the plant’s effluent discharge volume. The plant, which serves the wastewater treatment needs of communities in the province of Tarragona, has a treatment capacity of 25,000 m3/day.

The MicroDynamics system uses microwave energy to energize UV lamps, generating consistent-strength disinfection. The system offers extended bulb life and reliability, operating cost savings and health and safety benefits for employees on site due to its unique design. The MicroDynamics system uses the MicroPace control system for real-time flow pacing, thereby reducing energy requirements and delivering cost efficiencies.

The Aquadiox chlorine dioxide generator will produce chlorine dioxide on site to provide residual disinfection, preventing bacteria from forming in the plant’s distribution network. This alternative disinfection method uses sodium chlorite and hydrochloric acid to generate the chlorine dioxide solution. One of the benefits of using chlorine dioxide disinfection is that it reacts less with organic matter present in the distribution network, thus eliminating odors and minimizing the formation of Trihalomethanes.

According to the general manager of Severn Trent Services-Apliclor, Rick Bacon, “The innovative microwave UV technology has been recognized for advancing the state of the art in wastewater treatment. The MicroDynamics system combined with the chlorine dioxide generators will provide assurance for users that all water in the Reus network – including the water in the pipes and at the point of use – is treated safely.”