Our BIG BLUE One-Pager
Click below for a PDF of a one-page information sheet which describes the basics of our BIG BLUE aerobic onsite wastewater treatment system.
How our design for BIG BLUE came about
We looked at other companies’ offerings and noticed a trend: Basic looking square box tanks that used pumps, motors and complicated equipment. If you have a problem with these systems, you have to go into the tank and buy the parts from the manufacturer at a premium price. We also heard from various installers, engineers and state reviewers who were unhappy about the complexity and failure rate of equipment in the most popular aerobic treatment systems available.
We looked at other companies’ offerings and noticed a trend: Basic looking square box tanks that used pumps, motors and complicated equipment. If you have a problem with these systems, you have to go into the tank and buy the parts from the manufacturer at a premium price. We also heard from various individuals who were unhappy about the complexity and failure rate of equipment in the most popular aerobic treatment systems available.
The problem was that a simple, reliable and effective aerobic treatment system did not exist on the market.
Our solution: Create a simple system that does not rely on media or mechanical components inside of the tank.
Our design started with the tank
We wanted the BIG BLUE tank to use gravity and natural physics to do as much of the work as possible. The design of our tank uses gravity to move the wastewater through the system and settle solids. Mixing in the aeration chamber is accomplished by the rising current created by the columns of air bubbles from the diffusers. The sides of the tank are contoured so that solids are directed back to the columns of air.
Use simple equipment
Many systems we evaluated use motors and propellers to mix the water in the aeration chamber. Other systems use a pump. These mechanical means of mixing the water being treated require additional periodic maintenance inside the tank. The environment inside of a wastewater tank is highly corrosive and damaging to mechanical equipment. This can increase failure rates and create more maintenance issues and down time.
BIG BLUE utilizes components that are low maintenance and can be repaired at a low cost. Much of the internal tank parts can be purchased at the local big box home improvement store or online.
The mechanical components are located outside of the tank above the ground surface. Tank entry is not required to service these components! Much like the internal components, the mechanical equipment can be repaired at a low cost especially since you don’t have to pay someone to access the inside of the treatment tank.
Create an ideal aerobic environment
We made sure the bottom of the aeration chamber has no corners where solids can settle and go septic. The sides of the tank are sloped toward the diffusers located on the bottom of the chamber. The rising columns of air bubbles created by the diffusers run down the entire middle of the aeration chamber. This design creates a continual Laminar Flow pattern that keeps solids in suspension and mixes air and microbes evenly at all depths.
Use gravity to separate solids
We designed two settling compartments into the tank: one before the aeration chamber and one after. Each settling compartment is designed to provide ample detention time ensure thorough separation of solids.
The Benefits
The benefits that BIG BLUE offers are numerous. Here is a quick rundown of what our treatment system can offer you.
- No internal moving parts for the treatment process
- Gravity is used for process flow and therefore is not disrupted by power outages
- Pre-treatment tank included in system
- Suspended growth / no media to change out
- Tank design provides maximum mixing, biological contact and eliminates dead zones
- Tank manufactured to NSF 61 Standards
- Tank constructed out of corrosion proof fiberglass
- Mechanical components are located above grade for easy maintenance
- No proprietary “gizmos” to treat water
- System requires minimal maintenance
- System can be combined with lift stations and additional treatment equipment