TECHNOLOGY
The Science Behind Our Products and Processes
At Crescent Mexicana we have investigated the problem of obstructions caused by grease and oils in public and private drainage systems (FATBERGS), and developed a patented process to permanently eliminate them from the environment.
Molecular degradation technology
Extremo Polar - afín con el agua
Extremo Apolar - afín con grasas y aceites
Oils, mineral, vegetable or animal, do not mix with water, that is: They are not soluble in water under normal conditions (they are called hydrophobic)
All the products we use are based on a molecule that has a hydrophilic end, that is, that is related to water and another that is oleophilic, that is, that is related to oils. These molecules are called amphiphilic, or also known as amphipathic.
In contact with fats and oils, the oleophilic end penetrates the fat and the other end, related to the water, remains within the water column, so that the fat now forms a new molecule with the product known as a micelle.
These micelles, which are externally covered by the hydrophilic part, have equal charges and repel each other within the water, generating what is known as a colloidal solution. In this state, the fat behaves like a liquid fluid and cannot re-agglutinate.
Later, since these micelles are nanometer-sized, they are easily phagocytosed by endemic bacteria, existing in water.
In summary, the product:
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It generates, with fats and oils, colloidal solutions that behave like fluids.
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It makes soluble in water, fats and oils that are im-miscible.
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Completely dissolves fats and oils (FOG) accumulated in pipes and pump stations.
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The dissolved mixture does not re-coagulate downstream, remaining dissolved all the way to the treatment plant where it helps to reduce the fat and oil components in the collection process and favors the action of bacteria in the secondary treatment.
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It generates stability in the Ph (7.5 - 9).
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Helps settling activated sludge.
An additional benefit of the application of CMFOG is the elimination of bad odors from the Wastewater Treatment plants. By removing the interface between water and fat used by bacteria as a feeding area, the emission of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gases is stopped, resulting in an additional benefit that is the elimination of bad odors in the plants of wastewater treatment, which are a major source of public complaints.
Our products are:
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100% Biodegradable
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They are made from plants (renewable resources)
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They do not contain caustics or solvents
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Patented Formula and NSF approved
Fats and oils are contained within micelles that repel each other, and remain in permanent movement (Brownian movement). This produces more recombination and smaller and smaller micelles. This process by preventing recombination makes fats more bioavailable to existing bacteria
The great technological advantage of our product is that its unique formulation of oils and alcohols of vegetable origin generates micelles the size of nanometers, a thousand times smaller than those generated by detergents.
It all starts with the Biofilm
This term may not be very familiar, however, we permanently keep in touch with biofilms, since they are found everywhere: in dental plaque, in contact lenses, in the tartar of our toilet, washbasin, shower and sink, or in the silt that grows in pools of water and fountains, or on the rocks of the banks of watercourses, the deposits or incrustations of the hulls of ships and boats, pipes, in short, the list is extensive.
What is the Biofilm?
A biofilm is an organized microbial ecosystem, made up of one or more microorganisms associated with a living or inert surface, with functional characteristics and complex structures. This type of microbial conformation occurs when planktonic cells adhere to a surface or substrate, forming a community, characterized by the excretion of a protective adhesive extracellular matrix.
A biofilm can contain approximately 15% cells and 85% extracellular matrix. This matrix is generally made up of exopolysaccharides, which form channels, through which water, enzymes, nutrients, and waste circulate. There, cells establish relationships and dependencies: they live, cooperate, and communicate through chemical signals (quorum perception), which regulate gene expression differently in different parts of the community, like a tissue in a multicellular organism.
Bacteria make important changes in their structure and metabolism to adapt to the Biofilm
Five Stages of biofilm development: (1) Initial Adhesion, (2) Irreversible Adhesion, (3) Maturation I, (4) Maturation II, and (5) Dispersion. Each developmental stage in the diagram is related to a photomicrograph of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm. (All photomicrographs are on the same scale.)
Biofilm image of P. aeruginosa after only 9 hours of incubation.
The Biofilm is the first stage of the process, on it the other incrustations will be deposited.
Related Problems and Costs
ADDITIONAL FUEL CONSUMPTION:
It must be taken into account that a layer of microorganisms adhered to the living work of a hull can mean spending from 15% to 30% more fuel to reach the same speed as if it did not have the biofilm, which means contributing unnecessarily to the emission of carbon dioxide and particulates present in fuels (except LNG).
TRANSPORTATION OF INVASIVE SPECIES:
According to the IMO, ballast water and incrustations on the hulls of ships are the main transport agents for invasive species, it is believed that around 86% of the species have been introduced into different habitats by these means.
LOSS OF EFFICIENCY:
The incrustations in pipes considerably reduce the efficiency of the thermal systems, with the consequent loss of energy, the incrustations with refractory materials such as Calcium Carbonate, not only increase energy expenditure, but also maintenance costs and what is worse increase downtime.
Blockages are expensive and difficult to remove, especially when entire sections of pipes need to be cleaned or replaced. There is also a risk that seawater valves and other important items of equipment will be affected, jeopardizing the ship's capacity and operational safety.
Even partial stalls can have serious consequences, causing engines to run abnormally, at high temperatures and significantly increasing fuel consumption. This has a direct impact on the cost of vessel operation and profitability.
Harsonic® is the undisputed world leader in the field of mechanical removal and prevention of biofilm, as well as any other organic fouling.
Harsonic® is a product developed in Belgium and has more than 25 years of professional experience in treating water in an ecological and environmentally friendly way. Harsonic® is currently the only truly effective working ultrasonic system in controlling bacterial growth on liquid bearing surfaces.
Harsonic® Together with an experienced team of Engineers and researchers from various Universities works continuously to develop high quality ultrasonic equipment and perfect operation. Harsonic® uniqueness is not only manufacturing powerful and energy-efficient ultrasound transducers, but its powerful patented "HS" technology that controls the frequency variations necessary to kill bacteria colonies.
Studies in Universities and Independent Research Institutes demonstrate the quality and sustainable results of the products. Harsonic® products are currently being used for biofilm removal in several application areas.
What is and how does the Harsonic system work?
Harsonic is a patented system that combines different ultrasound frequencies with its own development: HS Technology, this powerful tool regulates the signal power and monitors all the functions of the transducers, this makes the Harsonic device one of the most efficient in the market, to permanently remove the biofilm without using chemicals.
Thanks to the HS technique, Harsonic emits a powerful sound with low consumption (6 Watts) with the advantages of hard cavitation, it attacks the biofilm problem from the beginning, long before the problem is noticeable. Keeping the surfaces in a petrfect state:
=> Low consumption of only 6 Watts per transducer
=> Harmless to animals, plants and materials
=> No visible vibrations
=> The Harsonic system also includes a patented electronic power control processor.
Factory established in Belgium in 2009, more than 25 years of accumulated experience in ecological water treatment.
Harsonic Advantages:
1. A unique selection of effective frequencies, based on practical experiments and university research.
2. Each application is equipped with its own frequency selection chart.
3. No interference: Harsonic does not cause electrical interference to on-board navigation or communications systems => Tested by EMC certificate
4. Protection against polarization on battery and cables
5. Permanent battery measurement with automatic on / off
6. Protection of electronics => PCB boards are waterproof
7 Overheating protection
8. Own engineers and software specialists
9. Made in the EU with the CE Mark of Conformity.
10. A 5-year warranty
11. Many reliable references around the world