Nutrient Removal Technology in North America and the European Union: A Review

2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan A. Oleszkiewicz ◽  
James L. Barnard
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
North America ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The European Union (EU) has implemented effluent (emission) standards since 1991, while North America practices a riskbased, imission approach. Progressing eutrophication and large fees for discharged loads push EU countries toward more stringent effluent concentrations, below total nitrogen (TN) levels of 10 mg/L and total phosphorus (TP) levels of 1 mg/L. In North America, the limit of treatment technology (LOT) concept has been defined as the lowest economically achievable effluent quality, which for TN is <1.5 to 3 mg/L and TP is <0.07 mg/L. These limits are becoming targets in fragile ecoregions in North America and drive the technology solutions towards a combination of advanced biological nutrient removal process trains, followed by chemical polishing and solids separation by granular or cloth filters or membranes. In Western Canada one-biomass biological nutrient removal processes are used, such as Westbank or Step-feed, often followed by filtration to achieve low effluent total phosphorus levels. Eastern Canada has a less stringent approach to nitrogen control and practices chemical phosphorus removal. Requirement for total nitrogen removal and rising costs of phosphorus precipitation drive designers towards advanced one-biomass processes and full utilization of carbon (for denitrification and phosphorus removal) available in raw wastewater and primary sludge. New processes are developed to take advantage of carbon available in waste activated sludge or even in the recycled activated sludge. Sludge treatment return streams have high nutrient loads and novel processes are introduced for their treatment, some utilizing generated nitrifier biomass for bio-augmentation of the main stream nitrification process. The impact of sludge processing on the liquid train and vice versa is now fully embedded in the design process.

Biological nutrient removal at a very low-loaded activated sludge plant with high biomass concentrations

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Kiuru ◽  
J. A. Rautiainen
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Activated Sludge Process ◽  
Biological Phosphorus

The Laboratory of Environmental Engineering at the Helsinki University of Technology (HUT) carried out in 1991-1995 two successive full-scale research and development projects at the Pihlajaniemi WWTP of Savonlinna concerning biological nutrient removal from municipal wastewater. The projects have resulted in two reports in Finnish with quite large English summaries. This WWTP was constructed originally (1978) as a conventional low-loaded activated sludge plant with the simultaneous precipitation of phosphorus. It was dimensioned for a sludge concentration of 3.5 kgMLSS/m3 in the aeration tanks. Six years later (1984) the plant was fitted with a tertiary stage of flotation filters in order to improve the removal of suspended solids and phosphorus. Nitrification was introduced to the activated sludge process of the plant in 1987. It could be done without any extension by using the sludge concentrations of 6-10 kgMLSS/m3 in the aeration tanks. In that way, this activated sludge process was converted into a very low-loaded one. The process became able to nitrify totally in the circumstances in which the wastewater temperature varies at the range of 4-20°C. The actual hydraulic as well as the BOD7-load of the plant are about 40% of the original dimensioned ones. This activated sludge process of the Pihlajaniemi WWTP was modified in 1991-1993 for nitrogen removal and then in 1994-1995 for both biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal Denitrification was introduced to the process and the simultaneous precipitation of phosphorus in that was replaced by biological phosphorus removal still without any extension of the activated sludge process. The plant has now been operated over four years with biological nutrient removal exploiting the organic carbon compounds of the wastewater. A very little addition of some precipitant is used to improve the biological removal of phosphorus. The chemical and energy cost of the plant has been reduced by some 50% due to the introduction of biological nutrient removal. The BOD7-value of the treated wastewater is mainly less than 3 mg/l (always less than 5 mg/l). The content of total phosphorus in the treated wastewater is usually less than 0.3 mg/l (always less than 0.5 mg/l). The content of total nitrogen in the treated wastewater is mainly 8-12 mg/l. Reductions for BOD7 and total phosphorus over 95% as well as that for total nitrogen about 70% are achieved.

Biological nutrient removal in membrane bioreactors: denitrification and phosphorus removal kinetics

2007 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 125-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Parco ◽  
G. du Toit ◽  
M. Wentzel ◽  
G. Ekama
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Specific Rate ◽  
Mixed Liquor ◽  
Batch Tests ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Substrate Concentrations ◽  
P Removal

The impact of including membranes for solid liquid separation on the kinetics of nitrogen and phosphorus removal was investigated. To achieve this, a membrane bioreactor (MBR) biological nutrient removal (BNR) activated sludge system was operated. From batch tests on mixed liquor drawn from the MBR BNR system, denitrification and phosphorus removal rates were delineated. Additionally the influence of the high total suspended solids concentrations present in the MBR BNR system and of the limitation of substrate concentrations on the kinetics was investigated. Moreover the ability of activated sludge in this kind of system to denitrify under anoxic conditions with simultaneous phosphate uptake was verified and quantified. The denitrification rates obtained for different mixed liquor (ML) concentrations indicate no effect of ML concentration on the specific denitrification rate. The denitrification took place at a single specific rate (K2) with respect to the ordinary heterotrophic organisms (OHOs, i.e. non-PAOs) active mass. Similarly, results have been obtained for the P removal process kinetics: no differences in specific rates were observed for different ML or substrate concentrations. From the P removal batch tests results it seems that the biological phosphorus removal population (PAO) consists of 2 different sets of organisms denitrifying PAO and aerobic PAO.

Practical Experience with Biological Phosphorus Removal Plants in Johannesburg

1983 ◽  
Vol 15 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 233-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
A R Pitman ◽  
S L V Venter ◽  
H A Nicholls
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Operating Experience ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Process Improvements ◽  
Biological Phosphorus

This paper describes three years operating experience with two full-scale biological nutrient removal activated sludge plants. Factors affecting biological phosphorus removal are highlighted and possible process improvements suggested.

Evaluation of combined chemical and biological nutrient removal

1996 ◽  
Vol 34 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 285-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Thomas ◽  
D. Allen ◽  
D. L. McGregor
Keyword(s):  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Minor Variation ◽  
Plant Trials ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Biological Phosphorus

This study was undertaken to optimise phosphorus removal by incorporating a chemical dosing facility in an existing biological nutrient removal activated sludge plant at Albury in Australia. Results of pilot plant trials and jar tests indicated that both alum and ferric chloride successfully reduced the orthophosphate concentrations with only a minor variation in the chemical costs. However, alum was chosen as the preferred chemical for use in the full-scale plant and tests showed that alum precipitation combined with biological nutrient removal lowered the orthophosphate (ortho-P) concentrations to as low as 0.01 mg/L with average total phosphorus (total-P) levels of around 0.5 mg/L. It is concluded that maximising total phosphorus removal in the treatment plant would require optimising biological phosphorus removal, applying correct chemical dosages to varying mixed liquor orthophosphate concentrations, adequate mixing, suitable pH values and minimising suspended solids in the clarifier effluent.

Efficient Biological Nutrient Removal in a Membrane Bioreactor Using Denitrifying Phosphorus Removal and Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification

2014 ◽  
Vol 507 ◽  
pp. 693-701
Author(s):  
Jiu Yi Li ◽  
Nian Peng Wu ◽  
Jin Li ◽  
Ai Min Wang ◽  
Yong Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Phosphorus Release ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Return Flow ◽  
Denitrifying Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Bioreactor System ◽  
Removal Processes ◽  
The Impact

Biological nutrient removal (BNR) is generally integrated in municipal wastewater treatment plants to alleviate the impact of treated effluent on receiving watersheds. This paper studies the performance of BNR in a membrane bioreactor system consisting of anaerobic, anoxic, micro-aerobic and aerobic compartments treating a synthetic wastewater containing low organic matters. The membrane bioreactor system designed an anti-stream, stepwise return flow scheme to produce ideal conditions for the occurrence of simultaneous nitrification and denitification and denitrifying phosphorus removal processes. The proposed membrane reactor system has established higher biomass concentrations and ideal environments for biological nutrient removal processes, which results in high nutrient removal efficiencies treating low organic wastewaters. Four compartment configurations in the reactor system minimized the impact of oxidized nitrogen species in return flow on phosphorus release in the anaerobic tank and the anti-stream, stepwise return flow scheme encouraged the utilization of nitrate as the electronic acceptor in phosphorus uptake in the micro-aerobic tank. Denitrifying phosphorus removal and simultaneous nitrification and denitrification processes are the main mechanisms responsible for efficient nutrient removal. High phosphorus release activities and high phosphate concentration in the anaerobic tank make it is potentially feasible to recover phosphorus resource from wastewater.

Evaluation of multiloop chemical dosage control strategies for total phosphorus removal of enhanced biological nutrient removal process

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prithvi Sai Nadh Garikiparthy ◽  
Seung Chul Lee ◽  
Hongbin Liu ◽  
Srinivas Sahan Kolluri ◽  
Iman Janghorban Esfahani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Removal Process

Treatment of a milkpowder/butter wastewater using the AAO activated sludge configuration

1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Donkin ◽  
John M. Russell
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Synthetic Wastewater ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
In Series ◽  
Aerobic Reactor ◽  
Original Size

A laboratory-scale nutrient removal activated sludge system, based on the AAO configuration, was used to treat a synthetic wastewater from a milkpowder/butter factory. In this system, substrate is fed to anaerobic and anoxic selectors in series with an aerobic reactor. Sludge is returned to the anaerobic selector, and mixed liquor from the aerobic reactor is recycled to the anoxic selector. The overall system is operated at an HRT of 7 days and a nominal sludge age of 20 days. This system was prone to prolonged bulking periods, with filamentous bacteria Sphaerotilus natans, Type 0411 and Haliscomenobacter hydrossis being identified in the mixed liquors, although effective clarifier operation prevented loss of suspended solids. Theory suggests that selectors may be used to circumvent low F:M bulking, and to bring about enhanced biological nutrient removal. An investigation of the initial design revealed that relatively high nitrite levels were present in the system, and a larger anoxic selector with an HRT of 820 minutes was substituted for the original one with an HRT of 48 minutes. This resulted in a decrease in nitrite and a equivalent increase in nitrate in the system. Overall nitrogen removal remained unchanged at 66%, and SVI levels did not improve. On resetting the anoxic selector to its original size, the effect was not reversed. Phosphorus removal efficiency was detrimentally affected by the anoxic sizing experiment (49% to 20%), and this may be linked to the raised level of nitrate in the system. COD removal efficiency remained excellent throughout the trial at over 90% removal.

Achievement of Biological Nutrient Removal in Full-Scale Rotating Biological Contactor Watsewater Treatment Plant

1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 1115-1124 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E. Neu
Keyword(s):  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Secondary Effluent ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactor ◽  
Design Load ◽  
Hydraulic Design ◽  
Demonstration Site

A Central Wisconsin municipal treatment plant (WWTP) with a significant industrial contribution and seven (7) years of Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) operation was the demonstration site for process modifications which provided significant biological nutrient removal (BNR). The study was conducted June-October, 1990. The plant was near 70% of hydraulic design load and averaged 90% of organic design load, with numerous excursions above organic design load. The BOD:P ratio was above 20:1, and the BOD:TKN ratio was above 10:1. Process modifications resulted in total phosphorus and total nitrogen reductions of 60-90% without chemical addition. Other benefits realized include increased clarity of the secondary effluent and an approximate 50% reduction of RBC shaft biomass weight.

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