This new innovative technology has been found and developed by the Dutch company LG Sound after 2 years of cooperation with several European universities in a 1,5 million European project. The LG Sonic technology controls algae, biofilm and some types of bacteria by sending ultrasonic sound waves of several specific frequencies into the water, which control the algae by resonance and sound pressure.
To establish optimal algae control, the LG Sonic systems use a ‘blend' of ultrasound frequencies of certain power which are emitted into the water by specific transducers. This will enhance the specificity and selectivity of the ultrasonic treatment. The algae are treated with ultrasonic sound waves set in precise frequencies that directly target the cellular structure of the algae. The amount of algae in the water is reduced and controlled in an efficient, cost-effective manner, and further growth is inhibited. Green layers disappear, biofilm formation is prevented, and the appearance and clarity of the water is visibly improved. The continuous use of such a device prevents the water from becoming polluted again.
These kind of ultrasound algae control systems can be used in all situations where water is stored, from large industrial water applications to small private pools or ornamental ponds. These systems range from large capacity units to small ones, enabling a ‘tailor-made' solution to all purposes.
The amount of time needed to see improvements depends on parameters, such as the type of the algae present in the algal population, water temperature, the amount of light, the amount of nutrients present (especially phosphate and nitrate), size and depth of the water body, TSS levels, total dissolved solids (TDS) levels, turbidity, retention time, etc.
Wastewater application
Often, wastewater is being treated for re-use as drinking water or for other purposes. As high levels of nutrition are available in these waters, algae may grow rapidly as well as other micro-organisms such as bacteria. Algae can compete for nutrients against the bacteria in charge of sludge reduction and can also clog complete systems.LG Sonic uses the newest ultrasound techniques to remove the threat of algae from wastewater treatment plants and reclaimed water reservoirs.
A research project executed by LG Sound (the producers of the LG Sonic systems) to study the effect of ultrasound in the treatment of wastewater was the Chem-Free project. This was a European project, which focused on the development of a chemical-free water treatment system for the treatment of (secondary treated) municipal wastewater. Chem-Free is a Co-operative Research Project (CRAFT) funded within the European Union (EU) 6th Framework Programme Horizontal Research Activities.
Briefly, some of the results achieved in wastewater applications using the LG Sonic systems are:
- Strong reduction in algae concentration (± 90% reduction of chlorophyll-a)
- Reduction of biofilm formation
- Reduction of TSS, turbidity, BOD, COD levels etc.
- Reduction of free bacterial counts (E. coli, Enteroccoci etc.)
- Ultrasound vibrations make it more efficient for bacteria present in the sludge to obtain nutrients, and speeds up the utilisation of nutrients, accelerating the degradation of organic waste and the consumption of nitrate and phosphates.
- Secondary effect, improvement of the UV/ozone performance in elimination of microorganisms
The LG Sonic systems can be applied, for example in DAF (dissolved air floatation) tanks, flocculation tanks, clarifiers, sedimentation ponds etc…
Lakes, rivers and other natural water reservoirs
Lakes vary physically in terms of light levels, temperature, and water currents.
Light intensity at the lake surface varies seasonally and with cloud cover and decreases with depth down the water column. The deeper into the water column that light can penetrate, the deeper photosynthesis can occur. Photosynthetic organisms include algae in the water which can cause severe problems in recreational lakes. Blooming of blue-green algae can cause illness in humans and animals and thus make recreational use of a lake nearly impossible.
The LG Sonic can be used to effectively control the growth of algae in lakes, harbours and rivers without adding chemicals. LG Sound has years of experience in the usage of the LG Sonic in lakes, rivers etc and have worked with the LG Sonic in many different countries. In the Netherlands, the LG Sonic has been used to control the blooming of blue-green algae in a harbour in Tholen. In Japan the units have been used to control the growth of algae in a large lake and many more application show the beneficial effects of the usage of the LG Sonic in natural water, some of these effects with the LG Sonic are:
- Reduces and control algae in the ponds and lakes in an efficient, cost-effective manner
- Reduction of TSS, turbidity, BOD, COD levels etc.
- Prevents further algae growth
- Reduces toxins by enhancing the degradation rate of toxins produced by the blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), but primarily by the control of blue-green algae itself.
- Does not harm water plants, fish, frogs, zooplankton, prawns and other types of life present in the water.
- Does not harm the ecosystem
- 100% environmentally friendly
- Low maintenance on the devices
- Low energy consumption
Aquaculture application
On the basis of the results obtained from two projects, Chem-Free (mentioned above) and a research project executed in collaboration with USDA-ARS (US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service) and Catfish Genetics Research Unit (USA) using the LG Sonic ultrasound systems, LG Sound developed and launched a new LG Sonic system, LG Sonic Aquaculture, especially designed for aquaculture purposes.
Some of the results achieved in the aquaculture using the LG Sonic Aquaculture models are:
- Strong reduction in algae concentration (about 90% reduction)
- Reduction of biofilm formation
- Reduction of fouling and other growth on fish cages (inland and open sea)
- Reduction ?-cyclocitrol, 2-methylisoborneol concentration
- Reduction in microcystines (cyanobacteria toxins)
- Reduction of free bacterial counts (E. coli, Enteroccoci, total coliforms etc.)
- Reduction of ammonium and nitrite
- Slightly heavier fish yield