Using the filter

The unit must be used and maintained in accordance with the instructions and its operation must be observed regularly.  

Water from washing, the sauna, dishwashing or the laundry can be piped to the filter. The purifier tolerates a small amount of anti-bacterial and chlorine-based agents commonly used for cleaning. Follow the dosing instructions issued by the manufacturer of the detergent.

Wastewater from a WC or dry toilet, rain or storm water, and the drainage water from foundations must not be fed to the filter. Toxic chemicals or substances that contain such chemicals, which can kill the micro-organisms that clean the wastewater, such as drain openers, paints, oils or dissolvents, must not be fed to the purifier. Harmful substances can be identified from the chemical markings on the package.

Follow-up of the operation

Check the operation of the filter at least twice during each operating season. In a well-functioning purifier, the filter material is moist and the water exiting it is clear and odourless and does not contain any significant amount of solid matter.

Check that

1. wastewater is flowing in both modules smoothly from all the openings in the box 
2. the filter material is drawn to a distance of about 5 cm from the openings in the discharge end of the box.
3. the ventilation valves are in the correct position and the air is flowing without obstruction
4. the visible connections of the sewers are in order
5. the purified wastewater is flowing freely out of the filter 

Changing the filter material 

Normally, the filter material in the purifier must be replaced every 100 days of operation. Only filter material specifically intended for Biolan filters is allowed. Biolan Oy does not guarantee the purification capacity of the unit if any other filter material is used.

The unit must be used and maintained in accordance with the instructions and its operation must be observed regularly. While maintaining the wastewater system, maintenance of the pump well and the sedimentation tanks, if any, also needs to be taken into account.

Changing the filter material

Normally, the filter material in the purifier must be replaced every 100 days of operation. Only filter material specifically intended for Biolan filters is allowed. Biolan Oy does not guarantee the purification capacity of the unit if any other filter material is used.

1. Change the filter material in all of the boxes at the same time.
2. Open the maintenance door of the purifier and draw out the filter material boxes in a horizontal position.
3. Empty the filter material into the compost or use it as cover soil for ornamental plants.
4. Refill the boxes with new filter material. Rip the filter material loose and spread it evenly across the box by tapping it gently. Depending on the packing method applied there may be excess filter material in the bag. The amount of filter material in the box is sufficient when its surface lies about 2 cm below the edge of the box. Finally, draw the filter material about 5 cm to the rear from the V-openings.
5. Check the inlet and outlet connectors for wastewater and clean them.
6. Place the boxes filled with filter material back into the filter unit. The filter material boxes are identical, but observe their direction – in the uppermost box water flows towards the rear wall, in the next box it flows towards the service door etc. The lowermost box takes the water towards the rear wall, from where it falls along the formed bottom into the discharge sewer.
7. Make sure the unit is in a horizontal position both lengthwise and laterally so that wastewater is smoothly distributed to both of the modules and flows smoothly from one filter box to the other.
8. Close the maintenance doors of the filter carefully.
9. Write down the service measures taken.

Installing the filter

Place the filter on a firm and even surface that is not susceptible to frost, such as, for example, a bed of gravel or crushed stone or a cast concrete slab. The filter must be in a horizontal position both lengthwise and laterally to allow the wastewater flow smoothly and take advantage of the entire cleaning surface area of the filter material.

Connecting the inlet and outlet sewer pipes

While installing gravity flow sewers, a sufficient gradient (of at least 1-1,5 %) needs to be provided to allow the wastewater to flow without obstruction from the sewer outlet of the house all the way to the discharge point.

There are inlet and outlet connectors for 75 mm sewer pipes on both sides of the modules. The inlet connectors are located at the upper edge and the outlet connectors at the lower edge of the modules. The inlet connectors of the modules are joined together using connecting pipes and a branch sleeve. The sewer pipe coming from the building is connected to the branch sleeve that joins the modules together. By means of the branch sleeve, the wastewater flow is distributed evenly to both modules. The even distribution can be ensured by installing a straight part 80 cm long in the inlet pipe before the branch sleeve to reduce turbulation of the incoming water flow.

The outlet connectors for purified water are located at the lower edge of the filter, on both sides of the modules. The purified wastewater can be conducted to the discharge point either separately from each module or by joining together the outlet connections of the modules using an intermediate pipe (not included in the delivery) and conducting the water out through the outlet connector of one of the modules. The outlet connectors of the modules can also be joined together using similar branch sleeve that was used in the inlet pipe. The the discharge point for the purified wasterwater can then be located between the modules. The excess inlet and outlet connectors shall be closed using the plugs included in the delivery.

If the purifier is to be used in winter, the inlet sewer must be insulated. Whether the outlet sewer needs to be insulated shall be considered case by case.

Putting the filter material in place

The filter material has been placed ready on the trays inside the unit. For transportation it is packed in plastic bags. Remove the plastic bags.

1. 1. Rip the filter material loose and spread it evenly across the box by tapping it gently. Depending on the packing method applied there may be excess filter material in the bag. The amount of filter material in the box is sufficient when its surface lies about 2 cm below the edge of the box.
2. Finally, draw the filter material about 5 cm to the rear from the V-openings in the discharge end of the box.
3. The filter material boxes are identical, but observe their direction – in the uppermost box water flows towards the rear wall, in the next box it flows towards the service door etc. The lowermost box takes the water towards the rear wall, from where it falls along the formed bottom into the discharge sewer.

Opening the air valves 

The operation of the filter is based on the activity of the micro-organisms. The micro-organisms need oxygen to survive. Therefore, the air exchange in the filter must be taken care of. There are two adjustable disk valves for ventilation in the rear wall of the modules. Set both disk valves of the module about 10–20 mm ajar for the summer. In winter keep the valves only slightly ajar (about 5–10 mm).

Principle of operation

The operation of the filter is based on the mechanical and biological filtration of wastewater. Organic filter material, to which the dirt in the wastewater sticks, is used in the filter. The micro-organisms living on the surface of the filter material use the impurities as their nutrition.

Structure

The Greywater Filter 70 comprises two purifier units, i.e. modules. The incoming wastewater is distributed between the modules by means of the branch sleeve located between the modules. Both modules have five filter boxes placed one on top of the other. The wastewater is conducted into the uppermost filter boxes. Inside the filter, the wastewater flows by gravitation from one filter layer to the other through the openings in the end of the box.

The circulation of air inside the modules is natural: air flows in through the lower air valve in the rear wall and out through the upper valve. The oxygen supply to the micro-organisms is essential for the operation of the unit.

Planning and selecting the location 

Building a wastewater system or changing it requires a building or action permission from the municipal building authority or submission of notification of action. The building permission is applied on submission of the relevant plan. The plan includes, among other things, a site plan and a cross-section presenting the height position.

Is to be placed above the ground

The Biolan Greywater Filter 70 is to be placed above the ground. Place the filter in a location, where water will no gather, not even when there is flooding. The purifier can be installed out of doors without covering. The unit is thermally insulated, which means it can be used in slight frost. If the filter is used in winter, it must, however, be equipped with the Biolan Heating Cable, which is available as an option, or the filter must be placed in a space, where the temperature stays above zero.

Location inside a residential building

Biolan Greywater Filters are primarily intended for installation out of doors. If the filter is to be installed indoors or in close proximity to a residential building (for example, under the terrace), it must be taken into account during the planning that this space needs to be provided with its own entrance for maintenance. The space must be provided with a floor well or an earthen floor for possible malfunctions.

The replacement air for the filter is taken from the end of the discharge pipe and the outlet air is conducted as sewer ventilation to the roof of the building. To avoid odour problems, the air valves need to be kept closed. The outlet air can also be led through the upper air valve in the rear wall of the filter into a separate outlet air channel. While installing indoors, the outlet air channel shall be equipped with a ventilator that keeps a slight vacuum inside the filter.

Whenever the Greywater Filter is located in a warm space in a residential building, or in close proximity to a residential building, the correct installation must always be verified with the expert in charge of planning the HVAC system of the building.  

Leading wastewater to the filter

The wasterwater is conducted directly to the filter either using gravity flow drainage or a pump well. To ensure even distribution it is recommended to provide the inlet pipe with a straight part 80 cm long before the branch sleeve to reduce turbulation of the incoming water flow.

If existing sedimentation wells are utilised in connection with pumping, they need to be in good condition and hermetically sealed. The operation of the pump must be sequenced using a timer so that during one sequence the pump brings at maximum 20 litres of wastewater to the filter. The interval between the sequences must be at least 10 minutes. The Biolan Timer, the Submersible Pump and the Pump Well are available as options.

Principle drawings presenting gravity flow drainage and pumping

The space required for use and maintenance

The space required for use and maintenance measures must be taken into account while selecting the location. A free space at least one metre deep is required for changing the filter material in front of the unit. Sufficient space is required also at the side and in the rear of the unit so as to enable the maintenance of the outlet connector of the sewer and the adjustment of the air valves in the rear wall. The air valves must not be covered to ensure the oxygen supply to the micro-organisms. 

Discharging wastewater

Coduct the treated wastewater to a suitable discharge point, for example a stone pocket or an open ditch. Observe during planning that the discharge of wastewater must be unobstructed and the end of the pipe must not be submerged even when the level of surface water or groundwater is high. If you lead the water to an open ditch, provide the end of the pipe with a flap or a net to prevent rodents or other small animals from gaining access.

Loading capacity and purifying effect of the filter

The Biolan Greywater Filter 70 is especially designed for purifying washing waters in weekend residences. The filter purifies the property"s washing, sauna, dishwashing and laundry waters. 

The treatment capacity of a filter installed in accordance with the instructions is about 500 litres per day, i.e. in practice the washing waters of 1–5 people. The cleaning capacity of the filter material is good for about 100 days, after which it needs to be replaced in accordance with the maintenance instructions.

Raw materials

The filter is made of frost-resistant materials and it is thermally insulated. The metal parts are of stainless steel. The unit is reliable in operation and long-lasting.

Dimensions

Dimension drawings

• Dimensions of one module (width x height  x depth): 600 x 700 x 1010 mm    
• Two modules side by side: width about 1350 mm    
• Pipe connectors: for Ø 75 mm sewer pipes    
• Height difference of inlet and outlet connectors: 530 mm (height of fall)    
• Capacity: about 500 litres a day     
• Weight without the filter mass: 2 x about 38 kg