BKT Achieves Successful Commercialization of the AMX Technology in Korea
Realized economic breakthrough by reducing operating costs by 83%, capital expenditures by 64- 93%, and process footprint by 70 -90% compared to existing technologies
Demonstrated stable operation by passing the final discharge water quality test by a wide margin
BKT, the parent company of Tomorrow Water, a leading environmental services company in South Korea, has successfully commercialized the treatment of nitrogen-laden wastewater generated from the digestion of organic wastes for the first time in Korea at the Noksan Sewage Treatment Plant in Busan with AMX (Anammox). AMX is an innovative biological wastewater treatment technology that most economically treats high-concentration nitrogen in difficult to treat wastewater streams such as those generated from integrated digestion.
By analyzing the data of the existing Suyeong and Gangbyeon sewage treatment plants, provided by Busan City, the Noksan Sewage Treatment Plant has reduced operating costs by 83%, capital expenditures by 64- 93%, and process footprint by 70-90% by applying the AMX technology, compared with conventional technologies. In monetary terms, energy costs were reduced by 60%, chemical costs by 99%, and sludge treatment costs by 49%, saving more than KRW 1.5 billion per year in OPEX. Construction costs were reduced by $US 1 million to up to $US 7.5 million. The economic impact of future AMX projects is expected to be even greater, especially considering that this project is the first full-scale introduction of the AMX technology in Korea, and the typical significant safety factor applied in civil structures.
BKT's AMX technology was awarded the Korean Patent and Technology Award (King Sejong Award) by the Korean Intellectual Property Office in 2020 and was listed in 2021 among the key side-stream treatment technologies by Global Water Intelligence (GWI), a global water industry research firm. AMX is the only anammox technology in Korea that has passed the Ministry of Environment's environmental new technology certification and verification. Unlike competing one-stage technologies, the patented AMX is unique with its two-stage design, which enables rapid response and maintenance in case of emergency, minimizes the risk of influent fluctuations, and increases the stability of operation. In addition, BKT also has the only Anammox microorganisms seed supply system in Korea. Anammox bacteria has a slow growth rate, so it is important to cultivate and secure surplus microorganisms in case of emergencies. In particular, during the commissioning at Noksan, a high concentration of sulfuric acid in the wastewater stream resulted in a significant decrease in microorganisms’ activity. The crisis was averted as BKT was able to quickly replenish the system with Anammox microorganisms from its own Anammox seed facility, confirming the importance of the constant supply system. BKT is preparing the world's first paper on overcoming high concentration sulfuric acid inhibition in a full-scale plant operation, a special strength that no other technologies can provide.
With this first domestic AMX commercialization case, interest in AMX technology is growing among local governments, consulting engineers, and construction companies. With the successful completion of the Noksan project, BKT recently introduced the AMX technology to the Muan-gun Food Waste Public Treatment Facility Expansion Project' in Jeollanam-do. In addition, the Daejeon Sewage Treatment Plant Modernization Project, where AMX, BKT’s AAD biogas production and Draco thermal hydrolysis technologies will all be implemented, is scheduled to begin construction later this year. With the implementation of the Biogas Promotion Act in Korea, the demand for AMX technology, which is a core technology, is expected to rise further as the organic waste to energy project market thrives.
There are more than 120 treatment plants in operation overseas that have Anammox technology as part of their treatment processes. However, many local governments have been hesitant to introduce such an innovative and efficient technology due to the lack of application experience in Korea. "We are grateful to the city of Busan for giving us the opportunity to create the first domestic full-scale demonstration case of the AMX technology. This would not have been possible without the extraordinary will of Busan city officials who have a high level of environmental expertise and want to increase the economic efficiency of sewage treatment. Busan is becoming a mecca for the Anammox technology in Korea. I also would like to express my gratitude to my BKT colleagues for overcoming all kinds of difficulties to complete the project, including the extension of the construction period and the inhibition by sulfuric acid pollutants of the industrial complex wastewater. Based on the success story of AMX in Noksan, we will continue to pursue not only the domestic market but also the overseas one." said Dong-woo Kim, CEO of BKT.
