In the Water Factory, the water for the penguins, hippopotami and turtles is purified in three separate, enclosed cycles. Only the rinsing water for the membrane filtration system (for which industrial water is used) ends up in the Living Machine.
Penguin basin (fresh water)
Membrane filtration is a useful combined technique to remove floating matter from the water. This is very important for the clarity of the water. We aim to achieve 10 meters visibility under water.
| Basin-content | 850 m3 |
| Number of penguins | 165 |
| Wide sieve | 3 mm drain |
| Cylinder sieve | 100 micro meter mesh |
Membrane filtration Penguin basin:
| Design capacity | 170 m3/h |
| Design flux | 85 liter/m2.h |
| Membrane area | 2000 m2 |
Nitrification in partial flow (30%) conversion of ammonia into nitrate. This is necessary because penguins excrete ammonia in the form of a solution that is not removed by membrane filtration. In order to keep the nitrate content within acceptable bounds, fresh – industrial – water is continually added.
Hippopotami (fresh water)
Hippopotami also cause nitrogen in the water, but in solid form rather than in solution. Hence nitrification is not necessary, membrane filtration will suffice.
| Basin content | 600 m3 |
| Number of hippos | 13 |
| Sieve bend | apertures 0.75 mm (removes course matter, especially hay) |
| Cylinder sieve: | 100 micrometre |
Membrane filtration hippopotami
| Design capacity: | 140 m3/h |
| Design flux: | 75 litres /m2.h |
| Membrane area: | 2000 m2 |
Turtles (salt water, 25ºC)
Protein skimmers have been applied as a separation technique. This technique is very effective here, because it is possible for very small air bubbles to form in salt water. Air is blown into the circulation flow. Organic and inorganic matter, fats and algae attach themselves to the air bubbles and are fed to the Living Machine in the form of concentrated froth. The combination with ozone improves the physical effect.
| Basin content | 450 m3 |
| Number of turtles | 4 (each approx. 250 - 300 kg) |
| Number of fish | approx. 100 |
| Purifying capacity | 120 m3/h |
| Cylinder sieve | 30 micrometer mesh |
| Protein skimmers | 4; each 30 m3/h |
Nitrification in partial flow
- A pinch of ozone dosage
- A pinch of UV dosage in partial flow
