Soneco TM ...

Soneco TM (Sono-Electrochemistry) or the combined process of Electrolysis & Power Ultrasound for chemical-free coagulation and flocculation, disinfection when required, with traditional downstream clarification i.e. lamella plate settler or dissolved air flotation tank.

As stated by others below, it is heavily dependent on the exact waste stream and the contaminant loading of that waste stream as this can vary massively and does make a difference to the required technology because some may be more efficient on that particular waste stream. For example, when compared with traditional treatment and chemical dosing- We save roughly 40% for phosphate removal on a particular site. If this site also required Iron removal and was required to dose Sodium Hydroxide for pH adjustment this could be increased. 

Electro-coagulation is a "clean" technology, utilising the electron as the reagent therefore, no harsh chemicals are required to be transported, handled, stored with no potential for chemical spills or leaks. The process is energy efficient and can be powered by renewable energy sources such as solar PV, Fuel Cells- MFC/HFC's, Wind, Hydro and ideally suited to remote locations where regular operation would be impossible. The process is fully autonomous allowing feedback and control from locations all over the world.

Electro-coagulation alone can be quite tricky and to be frank, inefficient. With the addition of a high power factor power device and ultrasound this process can now be deemed efficient in energy and cost. Cavitation that takes place due to the ultrasound continuously "exfoliating" the electrode surface to maintain an even, reactive treatment surface and to massively extend the electrode life. There is no requirement for filters or membranes and no moving parts- the only maintenance requirements being the electrodes potentially every 3-6 months. 

Our units range from small, communal based WTP (i.e. 2000 litres/day for 200 people) powered by one solar panel up to around 150 MLD industrial and municipal WTP.. With Sono-electrochemistry the possibilities of contaminant(s) loading it can treat is immense and to optimise the process, the only variable you will need to change (on site) is the amperage and this would be done automatically based on feed-water quality. So not only is it simple to maintain but also to operate and control. 

There is no silver bullet and of course, clever integration is key at present. Although, I would say if *particular* SONO-electrochemistry processes are the closest you can get to that silver bullet with minimal infrastructure, additional equipment/ technologies required.  

And when I say particular- I just want to note that this is infact a "World-first patented process" so very novel and as you all know- the proof is in the pudding and unfortunately, this is the only real negative in the EC/Chemical free market - specifically Sono-electrochemistry is the lack of data, hard evidence. 

So, trials are being undertaken at present with one of the top UK utility company on a WWTW with a phosphate problem and consent for further trials. EC has been trialled and tested and as far as I am aware the main problems (coherently) found at each site was the inefficieny of the electrodes, high energy consumption and the addition of sodium chloride in an attempt to clean the electrodes- raising the OPEX and creating problems down stream. I can see that we have overcome these issues and can now move forward with solid data of this and how it was achieved. 

I have attached a very brief PDF on Soneco below. If anyone would like further information, please let me know and I can send over some tech sheets/we can discuss. 

www.powerandwater.com 

Besides promoting this process, I do hope that this area of advanced water treatment is of interest to the market as a route that companies will start taking more seriously now that the process is optimised and proven.

I would be interested to learn others thoughts on using this technology.