1. Applying
Ultrasound
Technology to
Controls Algae &
Biofilm
• Presented by Devon Assael, VP Sales & Marketing
• SonicSolutions Algae Control, LLC
Devon@sonicsolutionsllc.com
• Cell: 413.887.4544
• Prepared with George Hutchinson, CTO

2. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
SonicSolutions Algae Control LLC
COMPANY STARTED IN 2003, MERGED
WITH ALGAECONTROL.US IN APRIL 2019
HQD IN MASSACHUSETTS, CTO/SALES
OFFICE IN SC, MANUFACTURED IN TN
ONLY 1 PRODUCT LINE SOLD BY THE
COMPANY FOR PAST 15 YEARS
THOUSANDS OF UNITS IN WATER
WORLD-WIDE

3. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Problems caused
by Algae
 Toxic Blooms
 Loss of Recreation
 Dissolved O2 Crash, Fish kills
 Clogging of Filters, drains,
pumps, etc.
 Increased pH, TOC, TSS
 Odorous and unsightly
 Costly to treat on a
consistent basis

4. Most Common Treatment Options
Chemical
Aeration
Bacteria
Barley
Ultrasound
WTP – Launder Covers
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

5. How Ultrasound Works on Algae
(the mini explanation)
 Unit produces 2000+ varying Frequencies sent out into the
water column
 Different frequencies affect different algae types (genus)
 Blue-Green algae - Rupture Gas vacuoles / vesicles
 Green Algae - Break cell wall bond
 Interferes with Reproductive Cycle
 Expedited algae cell death
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Spirogyra – Before and after.
3 Weeks of ultrasound
treatment

6. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Gas Vacuoles
Won’t break cell wall
Ref: “Gas Vesicles”, Anthony E.
Walsby, Microbiological Reviews,
March, 1994
Blue-Green Algae – Microcystis

7. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Scanning Electron Microscopy of Ultrasonic Damage to
Blue-Green Algae
Dr. Paul Zimba, Texas A&M Corpus Christi
Scanning Electron Microscopy of Ultrasonic Damage to
Blue-Green Algae
Dr. Paul Zimba, Texas A&M Corpus Christi
Untreated Cells Treated Cells for 24 Hours
Gas Vesicles Release
Gas to Outer Cell Wall
Outer Wall is
Permeable to Gas

8. Toxin Release Concerns – Eliminated
 Ultrasound does not allow for lysing of the cell
 Ultrasound stops the cell growth & Does not
break outside wall
 Cells disabled – can no longer generate nor
release toxins
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

9. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Effects Of Ultrasound On Green Algae
Centre for Aquatic Plant Management, UK Work
Commissioned by Sonic Solutions, LLC
The picture on the left shows healthy
Spirogyra, with cells full of cytoplasm, and
the characteristic spiraling chloroplasts. The
algae was sourced from a tank at the CAPM
in Sonning and had been healthy for at
least 5 years.
This picture was taken after only 7 days exposure to
ultrasound. Already the plasmalemma is coming
away from the cell wall, and the cells have shrunk.
There is increased granulation of the cytoplasm,
indicating loss of chloroplast structure, and loss of
connectivity with other cells and the external
environment.

10. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Effects Of Ultrasound On Algae
• Causes green algae to die in 3-4 weeks by internal cell fluid
disruption. Range 150 meters radially or 17.5 acres.
• Causes blue-green algae with gas vesicles to settle to the
bottom in 3-4 days due to loss of buoyancy. Must die out of
light. Range 400 meters radially or 120 acres.
• Causes anaerobic bacteria to sense false water turbulence
disrupting their growth and colonization. Range 60 meters
radially or 2.8 acres. (Biofilm prevention)

11. Hydro BioScience
Product Line –
Launched 2018
Patented August
2019
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

12. Green & Diatom Algae Control Range:
150 Meters Radially from device
17+ acres (7 hectare)
Blue-Green Algae Control Range: 400
Meters Radially from device 124+ Acres (50
hectare)
Peak Instantaneous Power: 50 watts
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

13. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Quattro-DB ® - Output Expected Range
Quattro-DB ® - Output Expected Range
Blue-Green
(cyanobacteria)
Control Range
Green Algae
and Diatom
Control Range
Biofilm
Control
Zone

14. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Quattro-DB ®
Land Based Solar
Quattro-DB ®
Land Based Solar
Land Based 180 and 60 watt solar power systems.

15. SolaRaft™
SolaRaft™
A complete system which
includes the following
180 Watt Solar Panel system
Quattro-DB transducer head
& 1M cable
Bird Deterrent System
Navigation Lights
Backup Rechargeable
Batteries
**Does NOT include Anchor
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

16. Safe for everything…But Algae
 Will not Affect or Harm:
 Animals, fish, birds
 Aquatic plants or weeds
 Dogs, cats or children
 Will Affect:
 Blue-Green Algae
 Green Algae
 Non Conclusive to date:
 Red Algae / RED TIDE
 Golden Algae
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17. Some algae not controlled with
ultrasound
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Pithophora Chara Nitella
Hydrodictyon
If it looks like a plant, it is unlikely that ultrasound will harm it.

18. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
More types of Algae Not Controlled With Ultrasound
Euglena
Pediastrum
Types
Oscillatoria
Scendesmus
Cylindrospermopsis
Raciborskii

19. Who can use ultrasound technology?
 Large Lakes & Reservoirs
 Private and recreation ponds
 Golf courses
 Wineries
 Municipalities – WWTP
, Water Facilities, Lagoons
 HOA
 Storm Retention Ponds
 Koi ponds and other aquaculture
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Sterling Vineyards, CA

20. Why use Ultrasound Technology?
 Eco-friendly
 No permitting required
 No generation of By-products
 No genetic mutation of survivors.
 Simple to install and little maintenance
 Inexpensive to run (less than 50 watts of power)
 Reduces chemical usage
 Targets only algae
 Large bodies of water are not a problem
 Wall biofilm where significant quantities of
bacteria are produced can be significantly
reduced or eliminated.
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Hegins, PA

21. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Disdvantages of Ultrasonic Algae and Biofilm Control
 Macrophytic or plantlike algae are more difficult to eliminate or are
unaffected.
 Thick plants or these plantlike macrophytic algae structures can
prevent ultrasound vibration to reach other parts of the water to be
treated
 A “line of sight” to the algae must be available for the transducer
output to be effective.
 A few algae types will not be affected by ultrasound (some euglenoids,
oscillatoria, some scendesmus, macrophytic, and some colonical types
like pediastrum are resistant).
 Patience is required as weeks are sometimes needed for full
effectiveness on algae.
 Precleaning surfaces is necessary for the greatest biofilm prevention
benefit.

22. Things to keep in mind
 Takes time to work!! Patience is key
 Blue-Green algae – can see results in a few
days
 Green algae – 3 weeks – 3 months
depending on the algae
 Bloom-Kill Cycle
 Ultrasound cannot control outside factors
 Nutrient Loading
 Weather / natural and environmental
influences
 “Tool in the Toolbox”
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

23. Time Lapse Results Using Quattro-DB ® Unit Private
pond in Iowa
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Start Day 14 Day 21 Day 28
Filamentous algae take about 3-4 weeks to fully
die from ultrasonic damage.

24. www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Drone Photo of Quattro-DB ® Unit – Ohio
Drone Photo of Quattro-DB ® Unit – Ohio

25. Solar Powered Quattro-DB ® Application: DowDupont
River Works, Orange TX
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

26. Quattro-DB ® Applications:
Floating Solar unit in Drinking Water Reservoir, Putnam Lake, CT
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com
Aquarion Water
Company of CT

27. Presented by Devon Assael, VP Sales & Marketing
SonicSolutions, LLC Devon@sonicsolutionsllc.com
Cell: 413.887.4544
Prepared with Jared Berry, Mississippi Chemistry Specialist, Entergy
Case Study
Algae Control without Chemicals
For UTILITIES

28. • At the Attala Plant, seasonal issues occur with
Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) growth in
our source water.
• Big Black River > 60 Day Pond > 7 Day Pond >
Clarifier > Raw Water Storage/RO feed >
CT/Demin Tank
• Previously we have not been able to apply
traditional treatment methods to control the
algae growth and it is getting worse ever year.
• This begins to grow in the 60 day pond where
the nutrients from the agricultural run-off are
consumed.
• The algae rapidly grows in the shallow water
of the 7 day pond where the optimal
conditions exist for proliferation.
Background – Entergy, Attala Plant
Background – Entergy, Attala Plant
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

29. 29
1
Blue-Green Algae Identified
Blue-Green Algae Identified
• A sample was sent to Mississippi State
University to perform a toxicity study and it
was determined that our bacteria was non-
toxic
• The species of Cyanobacteria contained in
the Entergy water source was identified as
Microcystis
• Several species of Microcystis release a
Neurotoxin
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

30. 30
Issues caused by Blue-Green Algae at Attala plant
Issues caused by Blue-Green Algae at Attala plant
• Small, weak, light flocculation
• Clogged sand filters
• Biological fouling of RO membranes and
heat exchangers
• Excessive chemical consumption in the
cooling tower to treat the increase
biologicals
• Excessive cost to treat incoming raw water
for plant use.
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

31. 1
Installation
Installation
On 2/13/2017, an Ultra-Sonic sound
wave device was installed and put in
service.
The SS-600 ultrasound unit (now
discontinued) was installed on the north
bank of the pond directed south for
optimal coverage.
Pond Size: approx. 11 acres
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

32. Initial Trial
Initial Trial
A 90 day trial had
begun and the results
became apparent
after the first month.
A small algae bloom
had developed and
the dead algae was
noted floating on the
surface.
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

33. Conclusion of 90-Day Trial / Case Study
Conclusion of 90-Day Trial / Case Study
Results:
• Decreased TOC in water
treatment plant inlet water
• Decreased labor in Clarifier
operations
• Decreased chemical
consumption
• Decreased Maintenance in
Raw Water Supporting
Systems
• Substantial financial savings
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

34. Proven to be effective
Proven to be effective
This device is proven
to be effective for a
low cost treatment of
Blue-Green Algae and
Green Algae in surface
water.
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

35. Case Study
Ultrasound for Algae Control
Drinking Water Reservoir
Wilmington, OH
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

36. • Historically had Green AND Blue-
Green Algae in both Reservoir 1 and
Reservoir 2
• Cylindrospermopsin & Microcystis
were main Blue-Green algae concern
• Past algae remediation included
copper sulphate treatments
• Copper Treatments were labor
intensive and expensive
• 2018 Goal: Reduce chemical usage,
costs and labor
• TRIAL: Treat Reservoir 1 with
Quattro-DB (SolaRaft) and use
Reservoir 2 as a control continue to
treat with Copper Sulphate
Background – Reservoirs 1 & 2 – Wilmington, OH
Background – Reservoirs 1 & 2 – Wilmington, OH
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

37. A Sound Solution
A Sound Solution
• In May 2018, a SolaRaft™ unit was installed in Reservoir 1 to begin
A 90-day Trial
• Reservoir 1 is approximately 14 Acres
• Reservoir 2 is approximately 50 Acres
• Algae Testing was performed by the Ohio EPA (nutrient load and other factors were not
addressed in this trial)
Report from Rick Schaefer on 7/11/18:
“We were extremely happy with the performance of the unit until Friday when we received test
results from EPA indicating a low level of the algal toxin cylindrospermopsin in the reservoir…The
reservoir with the ultrasonic unit is certainly clearer than it has been historically, and it has an
overall lower cyanobacteria count. It could be that it’s just less effective on the benthic species.
Last year’s cylindrospermopsin level peaked at 1.0 ug/l in September, about seven times higher
than the result found last week. At this point, I’m hopeful that the unit keeps it from getting that
high.”
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

38. Case Study
Biofilm Prevention & Algae Control
in WTP Basins
Searcy, AR
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

39. Short Summary
Short Summary
Both sedimentation basins have the
same source water and identical run
times on them. It is notable the
SonicSolutions treatment does have a
visual improvement compared to the
control basin #3 with no treatment.
Less algae buildup and less media
surface blockage.
Where Installed: Basin Chain When: 2017
Goal: Biofilm prevention
Problem Solved! “The technology is too titillating to
ignore. We were confident enough in noting less buildup
with summer algae on basin walls (we are using
comparative controls) that we purchased two units after
the trial period. We are extending out testing. So far
the results are positive and we are looking at a future
purchase of more units outfitting all our water treatment
sedimentation basins."
~ Scotty Boggs, Searcy AR Water Treatment Division
www.SonicSolutionsLLC.com

40. QUESTIONS?
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