Inside AeroAsia’s Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) Technology

Keywords: AOP wastewater treatment, advanced oxidation system, how AOP works

What is AOP in Wastewater Treatment?

The Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) is a next-generation technology used in wastewater treatment to break down tough, high-strength contaminants that traditional methods can’t handle. At its core, AOP works by producing hydroxyl radicals (•OH)—powerful molecules that attack and destroy complex organic pollutants in the water.

Think of hydroxyl radicals as the “shock troops” of wastewater treatment. They’re more reactive than chlorine or ozone alone, and can neutralize hard-to-remove substances like pharmaceuticals, chemical disinfectants, and grease residues.

How Does AOP Work? (Explained Simply)

Here’s how AeroAsia’s advanced oxidation system works in simple terms:

1. Contaminated wastewater enters the system, carrying organic compounds, ammonia, antibiotics, and other pollutants.

2. Hydroxyl radicals are generated inside the treatment chamber by combining specific oxidants (like ozone or hydrogen peroxide) with a catalyst.

3. These radicals break down the pollutants at the molecular level, converting them into harmless substances like water, carbon dioxide, and biodegradable organics.

4. The treated water then passes through clarification and polishing filters, resulting in a clean, low-BOD, low-odor effluent ready for discharge or reuse.

This is why AOP is also called an "advanced polishing step"—it cleans what other systems leave behind.

Why AOP Is a Game-Changer

✅ Handles High-Strength Wastewater

Conventional STPs struggle with chemical-laden, antibiotic-heavy, or high-organic-load wastewater. AOP thrives in these conditions, making it ideal for:

• Hospitals and Dialysis Centers

• Food Manufacturing Plants

• Commercial Kitchens and Malls

• Hotels with high daily BOD loads

✅ Breaks Down “Untreatable” Compounds

Some contaminants—like pharmaceutical residues, surfactants, and disinfectants—don’t respond well to biological treatment. AOP oxidizes them directly, leaving nothing behind to pollute water bodies.

✅ Supports DAO 2021-19 Compliance

With updated DENR effluent limits, many older STPs need help passing water sampling. AOP gives clients a cost-effective upgrade path that avoids full STP replacement.

Success Story: AOP in Healthcare

One of AeroAsia’s long-term clients, a private hospital in Laguna, struggled to meet effluent standards due to the presence of antibiotics, disinfectants, and chemical reagents in their wastewater.

By integrating AeroAsia’s AOP technology:

• Effluent BOD dropped by over 90%

• DAO 2021-19 compliance was achieved within 2 weeks

• No odor complaints from neighboring buildings

The hospital’s STP is now upgrade-ready for 100% water reuse, which is under planning for its future expansion.

Success Story: AOP in the Food Industry

A major food commissary in Metro Manila faced recurring issues with FOG (fats, oils, grease) and high ammonia levels. AeroAsia customized an AOP system paired with its in-house oil digester unit.

Results included:

• Volume of sludge reduced by 75%

• Grease odor minimized

• Effluent quality consistently passed DENR sampling, even after peak production days

This made the commissary’s STP more efficient, easier to maintain, and far less costly to operate over time.

Conclusion

AeroAsia’s AOP wastewater treatment technology is built for real-world conditions, especially in industries where effluent is too complex or too strong for biological systems alone. With over a decade of successful installations, our advanced oxidation system offers reliable, compliant, and future-proof performance—especially for healthcare, commercial, and food industry clients.

Need help upgrading your STP or solving sampling issues?Talk to our engineering team today.

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