Category Archives: Solarbees

First level for information about SolarBees

June 11, 2008 · 5:08 am

Cynobacteria Report Indecisive on Circulators

Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms: State of the Science and Research Needs by H. Kenneth Hudnell is a 950 page reference which represents a holistic assessment of the state of the science identifying research needed to address the increasing risks posed by freshwater harmful algal bloom to human health and ecosystem sustainability.  The book contains an overview of the Interagency, International Symposium on Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms. The symposium contained a section on watershed management techniques designed to reduce Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CHABs) which discussed the use of water circulation systems such as SolarBees.  The report indicated that “research is needed to further assess the effectiveness of bubble and pump vertical mixing systems at controlling CHABs, and to identify the mode(s) of action by which vertical mixing inhibits CHABs.”

Excerpt from report:

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May 28, 2008 · 4:12 am

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of SolarBees

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the St. Albans Area Watershed Association, conducted a study of the effectiveness of SolarBee (TM) water circulators in reducing algae blooms at the northern end of St. Albans Bay, Lake Champlain during 2007. The study found no evidence that the SolarBees reduced algal concentrations, improved water clarity, or inhibited blue-green algae in St. Albans Bay. The treatment goal of producing an approximately 100-acre zone of clear, low-algae water at the northern end of St. Albans Bay was not achieved by the SolarBee deployment. A report on the study is available at: VANR Solar Bee Report Final.

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January 13, 2008 · 4:49 am

SolarBees Story

You can find SolarBees website at www.solarbee.com and according to that website;

“SolarBee, Inc., is a world leader in improving reservoir water quality. SolarBee has pioneered the patented near-laminar radial flow technology that provides high-flow, long-distance circulation (LDC) in water reservoirs. Today SolarBee is using LDC to solve water quality problems in fresh water lakes and reservoirs, potable water tanks and reservoirs, wastewater ponds and lagoons, and estuarine environments in over 14 countries around the globe – providing significant energy savings while relying on solar power and reducing the need for toxic chemicals. SolarBee is truly “Circulating the World’s Water.”

Pump Systems, Inc. (PSI) designed, built and installed its first solar powered mixer in Dickinson, ND, in the summer of 1998. It was installed into a 20-acre municipal wastewater polishing pond which had a long history of toxicity associated with ammonia, odor, and stratification problems.   The company enjoyed success with installation in wastewater treatment plants and branched out into other areas.  According to the company’s website the SolarBee has many current applications:

  • Freshwater Lakes
  • Drinking Water Reservoirs
  • Stormwater Detention Ponds
  • Parks & Golf Course Ponds
  • High Value Property Areas
  • Sport Fishing Lakes
  • Fish Hatchery
  • Culture Ponds
  • Estuaries
  • Potable Water Tanks
  • Potable Water Reservoirs
  • Wastewater Ponds/Lagoons
  • Effluent Storage Ponds
  • Sludge Storage Basins
  • Industrial Waste Ponds
  • Power Plant Cooling Lakes
  • Leachate Ponds

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January 10, 2008 · 5:58 am

SolarBees Freshwater Application

According to the company “The SolarBee® incorporates patented near-laminar radial flow technology that provides long-distance circulation™ (LDC) to improve water quality in freshwater lakes, ponds, & reservoirs. Energy saving rebates may be available for displacing grid power aeration or mixing.”

 

 

SolarBees freshwater application further is described at the company website at http://www.solarbee.com/freshwater.html. 

According to the company the benefits of SolarBee’s Long-Distance Circulation are;

  • Prevent & control harmful blue-green algae blooms
  • Reduce taste and odor problems in drinking water
  • Reduce public health issues due to cyanotoxins
  • Improve aesthetics, water clarity and biodiversity
  • Improve dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH levels
  • Prevent Mn, Fe, H2S and methyl mercury from bottom waters
  • Reduce invasive aquatic weed growth
  • Improve fish habitats and prevent fish kills
  • Economical for lakes and reservoirs of any size
  • Whole or partial lake treatment
  • Near-laminar flow impacts up to 35 surface acres (14 hectares) per unit
  • Can be deployed to treat the epilimnion and/or hypolimnion
  • Day and night operation using solar energy, requires minimal maintenance and no infrastructure changes

The basis of the companies claims are contained in the following on-line literature;

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