We help growers improve their entire water chain in a straightforward way

Dutch company Ultramins initially focused its USAF ultrasonic cavitating transducers on a single application: preventing algae growth and biofilm in water storage basins. The characteristic blue USAF transducers with orange buoys are now being deployed against a much wider range of problems by growers across a growing number of countries. Director and owner Robert de Hoo lists pathogens including Agrobacterium, the cause of crazy roots, Pythium, Fusarium, and Phytophthora among the targets.

Ultramins is experiencing strong growth both in the Netherlands and internationally. “We have a system that is genuinely plug-and-play, requires no maintenance, does not require any modifications to existing systems, and adds direct value to the entire water chain,” says De Hoo, explaining the company’s rapid expansion.

Because installation requires no system modifications, a growing number of growers are choosing to position the transducers at additional points within their water systems. “That can be before or after a disinfection system, for example. Placing our transducers before such a system improves the performance of the disinfection unit.”

This has been confirmed by a Dutch-Australian cucumber grower in a review of the technology: “After installing the transducers, we see that our UV system is performing significantly better. The T10 value rose from 22 to 45 during the winter months and to 35 in summer. Without the transducers, these values would have been unachievable. For us, this is evidence that the technology also has a positive effect on other equipment, making the investment economically even more attractive. We had already seen that nanobubble generators delivered better results.”

Water problems in recirculation
Positioning a transducer after a disinfection system also brings benefits. While disinfection systems work on the basis of point disinfection, Ultramins transducers act against bacteria, fungi, and viruses across much larger volumes of water. This is particularly valuable for the day tank, where point disinfection is no longer possible and growers are often limited to using additives, De Hoo notes. “With the transducers, there is now a sustainable alternative and/or a sustainable supplement.”

Business development manager Eric van Velzen observes in practice that growers are recirculating increasing volumes of water, as discharge is already prohibited or will be prohibited in the near future. “That is a positive development, because water is scarce. But in practice you also see growers recirculating their water problems. If you want to move to full recirculation, the entire water chain needs to be very robust. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and that is often underestimated.”

Attention to the entire water chain
Ultramins specialists regularly encounter situations at growers’ sites where clean water, after point disinfection, passes through contaminated pipework. As a result, the water in the day storage tank is sometimes dirtier than the water in the drain collection silo. This does not necessarily mean that the disinfection system in use is failing, but it does illustrate the importance of treating water at every stage of the chain. “That is where we can play an important role with the USAF cavitating transducers, across basins, drains, and silos,” say De Hoo and Van Velzen.

Ultramins carries out extensive testing with growers: typically before installation and again several weeks afterwards. The company also conducts its own research, including at trial stations and in collaboration with laboratories. “In the early days, we often had to demonstrate what USAF ultrasonic cavitation technology could mean for growers and propagators in their water treatment. That was understandable, it was unknown and required a great deal of explanation, research, and practical experience. We have succeeded in that, and we are now seeing strong growth in demand,” says Van Velzen.

USAF is a trademark of Luijkx Ultrasound B.V.

For more information:
Ultramins B.V.
+31(0) 85 023 10 97
[email protected]
www.ultramins.com