Bioreactor For Clean Water And Drip System

Seed cultivation company SeedCare in Oosterleek, North Holland, produces 40 different crops of seeds for national and international breeding companies under 2 hectares of glass. The vegetable crops, such as cucumber and tomato, are grown in the ground. The potted plants, including cyclamen, primula and begonia, are on permanent cultivation tables. The crops are watered as needed, so there is no drain or drainage water. The company does not recirculate the water.

Clean irrigation water
“Because parent lines are generally genetically weak, they are very susceptible to diseases such as pythium and phytophthora,” says owner Mark Keulen. “We work with the ABR bioreactor to keep the irrigation water clean from these and other infectious diseases.” Cologne has not opted for UV or ozone to disinfect the rainwater and surface water. “This also kills all the good micro life in the water. With the bioreactor we stimulate the positive bacteria and the water comes out clean and resilient.” The ABR system maintains a balance in healthy microbiology and control of infectious diseases in the water.

Feed bacteria with stimulator
The Agrona bioreactor consists of a tank filled with water and membranes in it that form a large bonding surface for (good) bacteria. A connected compressor drives the aeration of the water. The addition of AG-Stim, an organic bio-stimulator that contains nutrients for microorganisms, stimulates the multiplication process of bacteria. The vibration of the membrane ensures that the bacteria are released in a controlled manner and end up in the watering system together with the aerated water. This cleans the drip lines in an organic way, eliminating the need for hydrogen peroxide or chlorine product.

Practical experiences bioreactor
The bioreactor has been in operation for a year now at the seed farm. This replaces a twenty-year-old lava filter. “It is a nice slim solution compared to the lava filter. The bioreactor works fault-free and is simpler.” Cologne indicates that he does not have to worry about the bioreactor. Only every few days he prepares a fresh solution of the AG stimulator, which is injected into the incoming water stream with a pulse pump.

Two cubic meters of water passes through the bioreactor per hour. “Eight cubic meters of water per hour can also pass through, but then the water stays in the reactor vessel for less time. Now those two cubic meters, which is more than enough for the company’s water needs, go through it super relaxed and it comes out very clean,” says Keulen.