How In-Pipe Technology Works

By: J. Rodney Dickerson, P.E.

I am always being asked to explain how In-Pipe Technology (IPT) works because the descriptions in my two patents are complex and not easily translated to layman terms. This explanation will also benefit those technical persons whose education, training and experience do not encompass the several different fields needed to understand all the issues and latest technology breakthroughs. So, I shall attempt to write a simplified description that should be readily understood by most people who have a basic understanding of science, mathematics and microbiology and that will also benefit persons with a technical background.

Wastewater (sewage) treatment involves the use of bacteria to process the contaminants in the wastewater. These get into the wastewater mainly from our fecal material. Fecal material and toilet paper comprise the majority of the contaminants in domestic wastewater, with some contribution from food via the kitchen and chemicals from kitchen, laundry and bath. Fecal material is comprised of large quantities of bacteria (some estimates of 50% by weight have been made) and is the greatest source of bacteria in domestic wastewater. The soil washed from food, clothing and skin also provides a small bacterial contribution; however, the presence of chemicals (cleaners, detergents and the like) and high water temperatures greatly reduce the amount of live or viable bacteria.

Bacteria like to bind themselves together in what is commonly referred to as "slime" but is more technically known as "biofilm." They do this for many reasons and accomplish this binding by producing what is known as "exocellular polysaccharide substances" or EPS. EPS is composed of high molecular weight, long chain molecules (up to 100,000 times larger than Helium). The scientific community is just now beginning to understand the mechanisms involved in EPS production. The production of EPS seems to only occur when the bacteria are attached to a surface. Bacteria that are not attached are called "planktonic" or "free swimming" bacteria. Those that are bound by EPS into a biofilm are referred to as "sessile" or "non-swimming" bacteria.

Bacteria prefer to attach to a surface rather than swim around. When they do attach and their populations become large enough, they set about producing the EPS to link themselves together. Why they start to produce the EPS in the first place is still somewhat of a mystery. Another unusual aspect is that when they are bound in the EPS, they behave differently than when they are swimming around. Maybe this is best compared to hunter-gatherers tribes of people compared to farmer tribes. They assign different functions when farming compared to hunting in order to survive.

SOURCE: In-Pipe Technology Company, Inc.