If like me, you believe probiotics – pills that contain billions of “good bacteria” – are helpful for digestion, then you may like this new technology developed by Israeli cleantech company Better Air.The company has created a system that improves the quality of the air we breathe by inserting probiotics into air conditioning systems at home, in the office or in hospitals.The system, called BioZone, is meant to reduce contamination, mold, allergies etc.CEO Yuli Horesh tells NoCamels: “Instead of chemicals, our technology utilizes safe and beneficial bacteria and enzymes, like millions of tiny workers, that physically actually works down to the microscopic level, removing dirt, allergens and other contaminants. Probiotics are as safe for your skin and for surfaces as yogurt is for the inside of your body.”Fighting the Sick Building SyndromeBetter Air says it developed BioZone to counter what is known as fight the Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), which describes situations in which building occupants experience health problems that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.

The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be widespread throughout the building. In contrast, the term Building Related Illness (BRI) is used when symptoms of diagnosable illness can be directly attributed to specific contaminants that usually come from the ventilation system.One of the most known factors and causes for problematic indoor air quality is air conditioning systems. According to Better air, while operating, AC systems create high amounts of moisture and are almost always subject to extreme temperature changes, as the AC system cycles on and off.This wet, damp and sometimes cold or warm environment is an ideal breeding ground for mold and pathogenic bacteria spores. This affects the ducts and air passages as well, and the bacteria are ultimately blown out through the AC shutters.Other physical symptoms related to air conditioning include cough, chest tightness, fever, chills, muscle aches, and allergic responses such as mucous membrane irritation and upper respiratory congestion.

Horesh tells NoCamels that BioZone can counter many of the physical effects that are usually tied to AC systems.“BioZone is for all indoor environments, where mechanical air systems are applied such as buildings, airplanes, trains and busses,” Horesh explains. Better Air’s system is targeted especially to hospitals, retirement homes and restaurants.According to the Israeli website Globes, Better Air began marketing its product in Israel, in addition to a cooperation with a European manufacturer of probiotic hospital cleaning supplies. The company also has an agreement with Hilton hotels in the UK.Better Air, based in Rishon LeZion, Israel, has 14 employees and has raised NIS 8 million (approximately $2 million) from private investors.Submerged Aerated Filter (SAF) The WPL Submerged Aerated Filter (Fixed Film SAF) can be used to either undertake full biological treatment or to complement existing process units for wastewater treatment. The submerged aerated filter (fixed film SAF) has randomly packed high voidage plastic media arranged as segmented cells to replicate a plug flow arrangement.

Air is introduced continuously from beneath utilising air diffusers, and provides both process and scouring air for oxidation of the influent settle liquor. The SAF process designs are utilised for the following applications: For settled liquor from septic tanks and primary settlement tankswinix true hepa air cleaner 9300 Carbonaceous and nitrifying applicationsholmes hap412n-u hepa type mini tower air purifier manual For polishing liquor from existing biological treatment units where carbonaceous has been partially reduced, but where further BOD and are required to meetfresh air 2.1 by ecoquest air purifier Features and Benefits of the WPL SAF treatment plant:

Sub 5mg/l ammonia and 10mg/l BOD Self-scouring, no need to de-sludge units No internal mechanical moving parts and safe working access for maintenance Retention time’s air flow rates and blower control play a major factor in the design Simple and easy configuration When on-site with existing process solutions From receipt of order to providing an on-site solution Final engineering solution takes in to consideration ease of transportation to difficult access sites Easy to move off site at a later date if the process is no longer required or relocate to another site Can tailor air use Optimise energy consumption depending on site requirements WPL tailor our robust and reliable SAF treatment solutions to meet our clients’ demanding specifications and expectations. SAF units above ground installation, manufacturing options include:Glass reinforced plastic () WPL Hybrid SAF modular tanks, off site build – glass reinforced plastic (GRP) with galvanised or stainless steel ‘exoskeleton’

Stainless steel or steel tanks SAF units below ground installation, manufacturing options include: range – glass reinforced plastic (GRP) All GRP used in WPL’s sewage treatment products is UV stabilised external gel coat finish which extends the asset life to 25 years WPL submerged aerated filter system is manufactured with full access to all parts of the unit.  All mechanical and electrical equipment is located in a separate, dedicated enclosure for easy maintenance. The SAF units are suitable for permanent or temporary applications, with a number of different hire and purchase options to suit requirement. WPL delivers bespoke wastewater process solutions which take into consideration investment and cost recovery, when tailoring the product offering to meet the varying specifications individual clients demand. Innovative Hybrid SAF | Installation at Sandbach WwTW 12 WPL Hybrid SAF modules have been installed in four treatment streams at Sandbach wastewater treatment works (WwTW)

WPL Hybrid SAF units can operate as individual treatment plants or the modular design means they can be connected in series to form larger plants. The SAF plants are built offsite in a specially controlled environment at the WPL factory, which minimises the time required for onsite installation. The modular nature of the SAF units allows for challenging access. Read full case study | Modular treatment plants deliver flexible upgrade for UUHuyton wastewater treatment works Five WPL ST1000 model units were required for this project, the modular nature of the SAF equipment means it can be readily redeployed to other sites and configured in any combination – as five units or just one. The units needed to meet a demand of 5Ml/day so that the nitrifying tertiary filter could be taken off line.Transportable units keep treatment moving for United Utilities High Performance Results | Danesmoor wastewater treatment workseight steel modular SAF units were transported avoiding overhead electric cables and fit down narrow country lanes.

The SAF tanks, when on-site were lifted, rotated and placed on a prepared concrete slab. Factory ‘kit,’ build | manufactured and engineered off-site meant that less workers were required at Yorkshire Water’s site, in turn minimising the risk of health and safety and quality control. High performance results | WPL HiPAF sewage treatment range: The WPL HiPAF (High Performance Aerated Filter) brand name references the unique hydrodynamic profile within the filter bed.  The benefit is a stable even biomass growth, during high or low flows meaning WPL is offering higher treatment efficiencies over other similar solutions on the market. The WPL HiPAF Range is manufactured from glass reinforced plastic (GRP) and installed below ground.   The WPL HiPAF compact HPC (1 to 60 population), a primary tank, submerged aerated filter (SAF) and final settlement as one unit. Installed above or below ground The WPL HiPAF midi (up to 300 population) is an all in one unit but also has the flexibility to have a separate primary tank but integrated SAF and humus settlement depending on customer requirement.

The WPL HiPAF modular (up to 2000 population) is a WPL standard primary tank, separate SAF and humus settlement tank.  The modular design can be configured with additional options depending on site requirements.   WPL HiPAF bespoke (up to 5000 + population) systems could use an existing primary tank on site, WPL’s SAF and combine with a WPL’s humus settlement tank, lamella or conical tank depending on customer or site requirements.   Usually the packaged HiPAF is manufactured from glass-reinforced plastic and fitted below the ground. On this occasion the plant did not need to receive gravity flows so there was no need for a below-ground solution, allowing installation and maintenance to be more straightforward.Yorkshire village installs bespoke sewage treatment plant How the WPL Submerged aerated filter (SAF) works WPL SAF sewage treatment plants  use a combination of fixed, fluidised bed and suspended biomass reactions. Flow from the inlet is driven through the randomly packed plastic media utilising the systems unique hydraulic design, with in the bed an ideal environment is created for carbonaceous, nitrifying and de-nitrifying (optional) processes to take place.

Air to oxidise the influent and to scour excess biomass from the filter is introduced continuously below each chamber by a series of diffusers. Each diffuser can be removed for maintenance without the necessity to shut down the sewage plant. Inert excess biomass scoured from the media pack will rise to the surface and gravitate to the outlet with treated effluent, for final settlement. WPL’s robust biological treatment process is backed by proven WPL SAF technology based on 25 years empirical data. The company’s SAF processes: Submerged aerated filter (fixed film SAF) – versatile modular sewage treatment systems that can be used to undertake full biological treatment or to complement existing process units in aerated fixed-film, fixed-film or aerated fluidised bed design options AN-SAF (Total N treatment) – has been developed for applications that require Total N treatment. Pre and post anoxic sewage treatment is possible, in combination with the standard aerated process