USA Global Market proposed a MIOX mixed oxidant system to meet both of these needs. While Tunja was very interested to try MIOX on-site generation, they had two reasons for hesitation. First, their standard procurement process requires that they try the full-scale equipment before they buy it. Secondly, they don’t have the budget for a large one-time capital investment. Instead of walking away from the project, USA Global devised a creative way to win the business and to meet the customer’s needs. They leveraged a long standing relationship with a Colombian financial institution called Banco de Occidente. USA Global set up a leasing program with Banco de Occidente that enabled USA Global to purchase the equipment from MIOX based on customized payment terms from MIOX, and offer their customer Proactiva Tunja with a Try and Buy program. USA Global will pay for the leasing program through the first 60-days of operation at the site. When the Try and Buy is successfully completed, Proactiva Tunja will take over the lease with Banco de Occidente.

During the trial period, the Tunja WTP will be evaluating the MIOX system for biofilm control, safety, TTHM reduction and disinfection efficacy, and potential for use in pretreatment. At the end of the 5-year lease Tunja will own their MIOX system and will have already achieved the full return on their investment. MIOX congratulates USA Global for their creative and flexible approach to winning this important customer’s business.

Over the past few years PCUC started to develop a limited number of disinfection by-product problems. During the warmer months of the year these problems had become a source of monitoring violations. This also led to an expensive task of public notifications in response to these violations. After several meetings to discuss the available options that remained, PCUC chose the MIOX system. We utilize two (2) 500-N units and a 45 ton salt silo. We also utilize two (2) bulk storage tanks for the daily storage of the finished product. Unfortunately we’ve replaced both storage tanks due to tank failure. The MIOX representatives were very helpful during this changeover. PCUC used all in-house staff to do a self install of the complete disinfectant process units.

MIOX representatives were very helpful and supportive during the installation process. The Prestonsburg City’s Utilities Commission feel very confident in the decision made to use the MIOX system. We have created a much safer environment for not only the employees but the surrounding community. This system was also instrumental in improving water quality issues for our system. We look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate the MIOX system and discuss any/all aspects of the entire installation or the performance of the MIOX system.

We began feeding generated sodium hypochlorite in March, 2009. On start-up we experienced a couple of issues, the brine tank heater thermostat failed to maintain proper temperature, overheating the brine which caused salt crystallization and clogging. The problem was solved quickly by the tank manufacturer replacing the thermostat with a different type. The external brine supply pump was oversized, upon testing it was found the pump was not necessary as the brine tank provided adequate head to supply the internal brine feed pump. The pump was then re-plumbed to be used for the softened supply water; this resulted in the ability to maintain a very constant supply water pressure to the generator which enhanced the performance significantly. The system was designed to utilize the generators cooling fans to ventilate the bulk storage tanks, this design arrangement was flawed, during periods of shutdown, in the absence of positive pressure from the generator, humid and corrosive gases traveled from the tank into the generator housing , this condition caused noticeable corrosion on the interior metal parts. In hindsight separate external tank ventilation would have been preferred, with generator cooling and tank ventilation being physically separate processes.  MIOX did return on-site and replaced all of the corroded parts and installed a better method of tank isolation, using a drip leg and enhanced valve arrangement. To date no noticeable corrosion has been detected.

The problems we experienced with our equipment were resolved promptly by the very helpful MIOX staff and have since performed commendably.  We are extremely pleased with our on-site generation system; it produces a stable, effective and safe product. Maintenance costs and labor have been drastically reduced when compared to the gas chlorine feed system. The peace of mind from not having dangerous chlorine gas on-site was reason enough to switch to on-site hypochlorite generation.

We have found in the first month of operation that the mixed oxidants are on average 25-30% more effective on controlling the filamentous foaming/bulking organisms in our activated sludge process compared to chlorine gas. This is something we had hoped but did not account for in our cost savings projection thus making our savings greater than anticipated. We are very happy with the performance, ease of installation, technical support, and overall user friendliness of the MIOX system.