SARATECH® Technologies

For Safe Water Treatment

THE BLÜCHER GROUP

Blücher GmbH, Erkrath & Premnitz

Tex-Shield Inc., Washington DC SmarTex GmbH, Premnitz

 Company Profile
 Founded in 1969
artemis control AG, Uster
 In family ownership
 120 employees
 Registered office in Germany
(head office & production) & USA
 International representatives/partners
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BUSINESS AREAS

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OUR PRODUCTS AND SOLUTIONS

TECHNOLOGY BASED ON HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPHERICAL ADSORBENTS

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PRODUCTION PROCESS

HIGH PERFORMANCE DEMANDS SPECIAL PRODUCTION PROCESSES

Thermal
Carbonization Activation
stabilization

Batch process
Product

Synthetic precursor

 Batch process, indirectly heated

 Synthetic precursor
 High process reproducibility
 High process flexibility
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INNOVATION BY BLÜCHER

CHARACTERISTICS OF SARATECH® ADSORBENTS

 Diameter: 0.1 – 0.7 mm
 Inner surface: 1,200 up to 2,100 m²/g
 High adsorption kinetics and adsorption capacity
 Adsorption of even very polar substances
 High purity (due to synthetic raw material)
 Consistent, reproducible quality
 Adjustable pore system
(ratio of micropores to mesopores)
 Very high mechanical stability
 Extremely abrasion-resistant => practically dust-free

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SARATECH® PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

Particle Pore
size system

Mechanical Surface
properties quality

 Abrasion resistance >98.0 % (ASTM D3802 -05)

 Pressure-resistant up to 4 kg / adsorber sphere (internal method)
 Negligible dust content

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SARATECH® PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
dave = 50 µm

Particle Pore
size system
0,4 mm

dave = 150 µm

Mechanical Surface
properties quality
0,4 mm

dave = 500 µm

 Variable particle size and distribution (PSD)

 Monodisperse PSD (d50 ± 0.05 mm)
0,4 mm

 Polydisperse PSD (0.05 mm < d50 < 0.60 mm)

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SARATECH® PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

Particle Pore
size system

Mechanical Surface
properties quality

 Different degrees of activation (total pore volume 0.5-1.2 cm3/g)

 Different pore sizes
 Different ratios of meso-/microporosity

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SARATECH® PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

Particle Pore
size system

Mechanical Surface
properties quality

 Low ash content <0.5 wt.% (ASTM-2866-94)

 Pronounced surface charge
 Hydrophobic properties

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WE DELIVER PROVEN SOLUTIONS

CONVINCING RESULTS BY SARATECH® ADSORBENTS IN VARIOUS FLUID

APPLICATIONS

Application field Challenge Target

Industrial process Persistent, polar organic substances (AOX), Re-use, optimization of industrial
water dechlorination processes, reduction of disposal
and energy costs
Wastewater Persistent, polar organic substances (AOX) Re-use, optimization of treatment
processes, reduction of disposal
and energy costs, compliance with
official guidelines
Drinking water Micropollutants (e.g. pharmaceuticals, Optimization of industrial
pesticides), taste, dechlorination processes, reduction of energy
costs, compliance with guidelines
(official, internal)
Special applications Ultra pure water (UPW), caffeine, heavy Reduction of disposal and energy
metals, radionuclides etc. costs

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CONVINCING RESULTS FOR WATER TREATMENT

AREAS OF APPLICATION

 Removal of micropollutants (e.g. pharmaceuticals,

pesticides)

 Removal of polar organic substances

 TOC trace removal in ultrapure water production

 Removal of chlorine

 Recovery of recyclable materials

 Analytical determination

 Treatment of radioactive effluents (cesium, strontium

and iodine)

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SARATECH® SOLUTIONS OUTPERFORM STATE-OF-THE-ART
WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES
COMPARISON OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE REMOVAL OF MICROPOLLUTANTS

ENERGY EFFICIENCY MAINTENANCE

COSTS COSTS

ADSORPTION [POWDER/GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON – PAC/GAC]

• PAC needs to be separated from the treated water
• Is inefficient for the removal of polar substances
Key:
ADVANCED OXIDATION PROCESSES [OZONE, UV, H2O2]
• Generates hazardous metabolites HIGH
• Metabolites need to be removed in an additional process
MEMBRANE FILTRATION [NANOFILTRATION, REVERSE OSMOSIS]
• Results in a contaminated retentate of up to 25% of the
initial wastewater volume
• Additional chemicals are required to prevent “fouling” LOW

SARATECH® TARGET
A new adsorption technology

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LONG SERVICE LIFE THANKS TO REGENERATION AND
REACTIVATION
 Regeneration: Desorption of adsorbed substances from activated carbon surface:
 Thermal treatment

 Extraction, etc.

Adsorption
Regeneration

 Thermal regeneration: Desorption in an indirectly

heated rotary tube kiln under an inert atmosphere
 Reactivation: Regeneration and addition of steam

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MULTIPLE REGENERATION WITHOUT AFFECTING THE ADSORPTION
CAPACITY
SUSTAINABLE USE THROUGH MULTIPLE REUSE

Adsorption
Regeneration

 Constant quality (pore structure, iodine number,

abrasion resistance, etc.) demonstrated experimentally
 Negligible material loss
 Sustainability and cost benefits

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BENCHMARK

PERFORMANCE COMPARED TO OTHER SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES

 Energy consumption
Adsorption needs no energy!

 OPEX
Potential cost savings through greater efficiency

 Chemical consumption
Adsorption does not require the use of chemicals!

 Application safety
Reaction to variable initial concentration in the raw water
Backwashing with low filter velocity

 Sustainability
Multiple regeneration on site  significant reduction in terms of logistics and transport

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EFFECTIVE REMOVAL OF PESTICIDES FROM DRINKING WATER

NO BREAKTHROUGH OF PESTICIDES WITH SARATECH®

1,0 Dynamic trial with drinking water
(natural DOC), SARATECH® as polisher
Metaldehyde concentration [µg/l]

0,8

EBCT 2 min.
0,6 Throughput 0.9 l/h
GAC
SARATECH® 1 Inlet concentration:
0,4
SARATECH® 2 Median 0.1 µg/l
Maximum (peak) 1.6 µg/l
SARATECH® 3
0,2

0,0 Source: Water Research Centre Limited , UK (2016)

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000
Bed volume [-]

Metaldehyde Clopyralid Quinmerac Propyzamide

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EFFECTIVE REMOVAL OF PESTICIDES FROM DRINKING WATER

LONGER SERVICE LIFE WITH SARATECH®

1,0 Dynamic trial with drinking water
Metazachlor OA breakthrough c/c0 [-]

(natural DOC), SARATECH® as polisher

0,8 HOV*
EBCT 5.2 min.
0,6 Filter speed 9.8 m/h
GAC (F300) Throughput 25 m³/h
0,4 SARATECH® 2
Inlet concentration:
SARATECH® 1 Median 2.2 µg/l
0,2

0,0 Source: VFTV e.V. (2016)

0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000
Bed volume [-] *HOV = Health Orientation Value

Metazachlor-OA Metazachlor-ESA

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THE FINEST PERFORMANCE

EFFECTIVE REMOVAL OF MICROPOLLUTANTS FROM WASTEWATER

100% Static trials using the effluent from

the final sedimentation phase of a
80% municipal wastewater treatment
Removal rate [%]

plant

60%
DOC: 8.4 mg/l
Adsorbents: 12 mg/l
40% Contact time: 24 h
PAK
PACaus Torfbasis
– peat-based
20%
PAK
PACauf Holzkohlebasis
– charcoal-based
PAK
PACauf Kokosnussschalenbasis
– coconut shell-based
0%
SARATECH®
SARATECH®Typ 1 1
Type
SARATECH®
SARATECH®Typ 2 2
Type

Concentration range: 100 – 1,000 ng/l; average value: 370 ng/l; max. 5,229 ng/l benzotriazol Source: EAWAG, Switzerland(2010)

 100% elimination of metoprolol, venlafaxine and ranitidine

 Very good elimination of atenolol, carbamazepine, mefenamic acid and diclofenac [> 90%]
 Good adsorption of sulfamethoxazole [40%] and clarithromycin [50%]

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THE FINEST PERFORMANCE

REMOVAL OF VARIOUS ORGANIC MICROPOLLUTANTS

100% Static trials using the effluent
from the final sedimentation
phase of a municipal wastewater
80%
treatment plant

60%
Removal rate [%]

DOC: 8.4 mg/l

40% Adsorbents conc.: 12 mg/l
Contact time: 24 h

20% SARATECH® Typ 1

SARATECH® Typ 2
0%

Concentration range: 100 – 1,000 ng/l; average value: 370 ng/l; max. 5,229 ng/l benzotriazol Source: EAWAG, Switzerland (2010)

 100% elimination of metoprolol, venlafaxine and ranitidine

 Very good elimination of atenolol, carbamazepine, mefenamic acid and diclofenac [> 90%]
 Good adsorption of sulfamethoxazole [40%] and clarithromycin [50%]

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 THE FINEST PERFORMANCE

REMOVAL OF VARIOUS ORGANIC MICROPOLLUTANTS

100%
Dynamic trial with the effluent from an
90% MBR plant (municipal wastewater)
80%
70% EBCT 6 min.
60% Filter velocity 10 m/h
Removal rate [%]

50%
Concentration range:
40% Median 0.3 µg/l
30% Maximum 1.7 µg/l

20%
10% * Inlet concentration below limit of
determination
0%
* *
Outlet concentration below limit of
determination

Source: IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute

 Average removal of all measured micropollutants following 27,000 BVs > 80 %

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PHARMACEUTICAL WASTEWATER

VERIFICATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SARATECH® ADSORBENTS IN THE

LABORATORY

100%
Static trial using wastewater from a
pharmaceutical manufacturer
80%

Removal rate
60% Adsorbent conc. 250 mg/l

40% Concentration range:

Minimum 0.06 mg/l
20% Maximum 3.45 mg/l

0% SARATECH®
SARATECH®Adsorbenzien
adsorbers

Source: TZW, Karlsruhe

 Excellent removal of a range of pharmaceutical agents

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PHARMACEUTICAL WASTEWATER

FROM THE PILOT STAGE…

Breakthrough curve for the absorbable organically bonded halogens
1

Relative outflow concentration

EBCT 12 min.
0,8 Filter speed 5.5 m/h
0,6
Concentration range:

(Out/in)
0,4 Median 1.5 mg/l
Maximum 12.5 mg/l
0,2
AOX
0 Expon. (AOX)
0 0,5 1 1,5 2

Specific throughflow [m³/kg SARATECH® adsorbers]

 Mobile pilot plant  Determination of breakthrough curves and design parameters

 Simple to integrate without interrupting operations
 Small footprint (approx. 1 m²) and low weight (approx. 50 kg)
 Ready to connect
 PLC controller with optional remote access

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PHARMACEUTICAL WASTEWATER

… TO A COST-EFFECTIVE SARATECH® TREATMENT PLANT

Removal of pharmaceutical agents

following the specific throughput of 0.7 m³/kg SARATECH®
100%

Removal rate
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%

 High removal rate of pharmaceutical agents (> 90 %)

 Compliance with the regulatory limits for COD and AOX
 Significant cost savings compared with other disposal alternatives

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CERTIFICATIONS

 SARATECH® is certified in accordance with DIN EN 12902 (testing of purity

requirements) and DIN EN 12915 (approval for drinking water treatment for
three different types).

 SARATECH® is included on the “List of Preparation Substances and Disinfection

Processes” in accordance with §11 TVO (German Drinking Water Ordinance)
(Part I b)

 SARATECH® adsorbers are manufactured in accordance with GMP guidelines

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FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS

MOBILE ON-SITE REGENERATION

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FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS

SARATECH® CONTINUOUS COUNTERFLOW ADSORBER (CCA)

Process video available at: https://youtu.be/A9gyI4mGP2k

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SARATECH® CONTINUOUS COUNTERFLOW ADSORBER

THE CONTINUOUS COUNTER FLOW ADSORBER PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL

ADVANTAGES

 Unique technology that combines SARATECH® adsorbents with new process technology

 A closed material loop with regeneration of the adsorbers directly on-site

 Small footprint

 No downtime when replacing the adsorbents

 No transport costs

 Adjustment to fluctuating contaminant concentrations without interrupting operations

 Full control of the entire process

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KEY FEATURES AND A GLANCE INTO THE FUTURE

 SARATECH® technology is characterized by:

+ A significantly longer service life than conventional activated carbon
+ Greater mechanical stability with negligible material loss
+ High adsorption capacities
+ Faster kinetics and outstanding removal rates for polar organic substances
+ A very high degree of purity
+ Various desorption options
+ No undesired production of metabolites
+ No chemicals needed

 Lower OPEX, quality improvement of the filtrate, high degree of sustainability

 Blücher looks forward to…
 …continuously developing our know-how
 …developing and implementing sustainable partnerships with water utilities and
industry players
 … engineering: conceptual design and planning – and the operation of water
treatment plants in the mid-term too.
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PLEASE CONTACT US
Thank you for your kind attention!
 Jan Raiser
Project Manager SARATECH®
Water & Liquid Treatment
jan.raiser@bluecher.com
Tel. +49 211 92 44 156
Mobil +49 162 23 38 777
 Raymond Hernandez
Business Development Manager
SARATECH®
Water & Liquid Treatment
raymond.hernandez@bluecher.com
Tel. +49 211 92 44 154
Mobil +49 173 410 90 72
 Charlotte Fischer  Julia Pohl
Project Engineer SARATECH® Project Engineer SARATECH®
Water & Liquid Treatment Water & Liquid Treatment
charlotte.fischer@bluecher.com julia.pohl@bluecher.com
Tel. +49 211 92 44 248 Tel. +49 211 92 44 136
Mobil +49 162 267 31 33
Blücher GmbH
Mettmanner Str. 25
40699 Erkrath
Germany
www.bluecher.com
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DIN EN 12902

TESTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH PURITY REQUIREMENTS

Determination SARATECH® Limit value Unit

Ash content (650 °C)* 0.16 15 %

Water-soluble components 0.06 3 %
Zinc < 0.0005 0.002 %

Water-extractable toxic substances

Antimony < 0.1 10 mg/kg
Arsenic < 0.04 50 mg/kg
Lead < 0.04 50 mg/kg
Cadmium < 0.004 5 mg/kg
Chromium < 0.04 50 mg/kg
Nickel < 0.04 50 mg/kg
Mercury < 0.004 1 mg/kg
Cyanide < 0.1 50 mg/kg
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons < 0.02 0.2 mg/kg

SARATECH® test specimen 3: 102282-VC000033, Charge AT-000360-001

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