| 69 nzdairy DAIRY SERVICES » FORSI Innovations FORSI maximising value from each system Karen Phelps FORSI Innovations is successfully helping farmers around New Zealand manage water and wastewater in an environmentally responsible manner while maximising value from each system. The company specialises in iron and manganese removal from water systems. “As farmers will know high iron and manganese levels in farm water can cause staining, foul taste and buildup in pipes and troughs. These elements also reduce the effectiveness of dairy shed detergents, leading to poor cleaning results and higher chemical use. For livestock, excessive iron and manganese can affect palatability and water intake, reducing overall herd health and productivity. Installing an effective filtration system removes these metals, protecting equipment, improving wash performance and ensuring cleaner, better-tasting water. The result is healthier animals, improved hygiene and more efficient farm operations,” explains company operations manager Craig Hawes. In order to solve this problem in 2023 FORSI initiated a research programme into silicon carbide flat sheet ceramic membrane technology. The first system was designed to treat high iron and manganese content from a mixed bore water source feeding a new residential housing development. After two years of intensive research and development the company has demonstrated its first commercial system with huge success. “It’s a next-generation filtration medium prized for its durability, chemical resistance and energy efficiency,” says Craig. Due to the flexibility of the technology, the company has also come up with a dairy effluent filtration system that offers farmers multiple benefits. “We can offer solutions to filter dairy effluent, turning this wastewater into two highly valuable resources - clean dry compostable solids for fertiliser and clean clear water for irrigation or re-use in the dairy shed,” says Craig. The company’s technological breakthrough reduces the annual running costs for an effluent management system. He says the company’s ceramic membrane technology offers several An example of how thick the sludge can be that goes into the membrane filter and still be filtering the water out of that sludge (main image). The before and after product, once the contaminated water is passed through the ceramic membranes (inset). distinct advantages that make it particularly suitable for agricultural and industrial applications. “These flat sheet ceramic membranes demonstrate exceptional robustness and reliability, combined with low maintenance requirements and operational costs that appeal to farming operations where efficiency and practicality are paramount. To our knowledge, we are the only New Zealand-based company to successfully commercialise this specific membrane technology,” says Craig. The applications for the technology extend beyond farming. The company has identified significant opportunities in sectors under increasing regulatory pressure to comply with environmental standards and water reuse mandates. Craig says ceramic membranes are ideally suited to municipal water supply, landfill management, industrial wastewater treatment and food and beverage processing applications. The company currently has several applications in development or operation, including drinking water filtration, membrane bioreactors, liquid waste recycling, sludge concentration and landfill leachate treatment. Based in Matamata, FORSI Innovations is the brainchild of Terry Hawes, running the company alongside his sons Craig and Darren for the past 15 years. “While there are many filtration systems available in New Zealand they offer a boxed solution for an outside the box problem. Terry saw a severe lack of customised filtration solutions to meet the requirements of New Zealand dairy farmers, and with his extensive background in agriculture and engineering, Terry designed filtration systems to meet these needs,” explains Craig. “That’s why at FORSI no two filters are the same, each unit is specially designed to meet the needs of every customer and environment.” As environmental regulations continue to tighten for farmers, Craig says FORSI’s closed-loop systems and advanced filtration technologies offer farmers practical pathways to meet these challenges. • Iron, Manganese removal • pH Correction • Solids seperation • Waste water recycling • Water clarification systems • Car wash recycling systems • Effluent recycling systems • Irrigation filtration • Specialists in Ceramic Filtration Systems CONTACT 14 Waihou Street, Matamata 3400 07 880 9479 sales@forsi.co.nz www.forsi.co.nz Quality water is important FORSI are specialists in customised treatment We offer customised solutions for the removal of: Shipping Container Sales, Hire Relocations and Modifications with over 50 depots nationwide Your Local Container Supplier Freecall 0508 732 266 www.seacontainers.co.nz SEA Containers NZ proud to support FORSI Innovations Ltd Visit us at WWW.ARGON.NZ Phone: 0508 634 341 email: sales@argon.nz Pumps, Fans & Electric Motors Since 1988 Submersible Pumps Washdown Pumps Vat Wash Pumps Bore Pumps Pressure Booster Systems Hydropak-Xtra pressurised, clean water for your whole house
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