Scottish Waters Capital Investment Delivery (CID)

Ardersier WwTW
Engineering Package No Document Title

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104

Process Control Philosophy

[Ellipse Equipment No. 500573784, Ellipse Plant No. STW003739, Autocode No. 46362.]

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

HISTORY SHEET
Document Controller Revision 0A 0B Date 16/04/2009 29/03/2010 Comment Outline design For Tender Purposes only. Revised Outline design For Tender Purposes only. Prepared By SLS SLS Checked By ARP ARP Approved By GM MSW

Page 2 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

List of Contents
Chapters and Appendices

Page

1 2 3

Introduction Background Design Parameters 3.1 3.2 Flows & Loads Effluent Quality Standards

4 4 4 4 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 8 9 9 11 12 13 13 13 14 14 14 15 16 16 16 17

Operation & Control Philosophy 4.1 4.2 Inlet flows Wastewater treatment 4.2.1 Flow balancing 4.2.2 Inlet Flow Measurement & Sampling 4.2.3 Preliminary treatment 4.2.4 Primary settlement 4.2.5 Inter-stage Pumping 4.2.6 Activated Sludge 4.2.7 Final settlement tanks 4.2.8 Ultra-violet Disinfection 4.2.9 Final Effluent Wash Water System 4.2.10 Final Effluent Sampling Point 4.2.11 Wash Water Final Effluent Outlet Pump Station Sludge Handling 4.3.1 Surplus Activated Sludge Thickening Plant (Drum thickener) 4.3.2 Primary Sludge Consolidation Tank 4.3.3 Thickened Sludge Storage Tank 4.3.4 Return Liquor Pump Sump/Balancing Facility Odour Containment and Abatement 4.4.1 General 4.4.2 Sludge Odour Control Unit

4.3

4.4

Tables Table 3.1: Summary of Design Parameters Table 3.2: Effluent Quality Standards 5 5

Page 3 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

Introduction

This process control philosophy describes the anticipated operation and control methods envisaged for the outline design of the new wastewater treatment works at Ardersier.

Background

As part of the A96 development, the existing works at Ardersier is to be upgraded to receive wastewater from a number of developments in the vicinity of the Ardersier Peninsula. The intention is eventually to provide a new works to accommodate wastewater arising from developments at Inverness Airport, Ardersier, Whiteness, and West Nairn to a design horizon in 2041. For the present outline design, the flows are limited to 2014 and will include the flows from Inverness Airport and associated developments, Ardersier and Whiteness. The design will be modular with the intention of adding similar, if not identical units, in the future to provide capacity to treat the long term flows before discharge to the Moray Firth in the vicinity of Fort George. The design will provide continuous disinfection of the final effluent to avoid any unnecessary impact on the resident Cetacean population in the Moray Firth that frequent the narrows adjacent to Fort George.

3
3.1

Design Parameters
Flows & Loads

The flows and loads are summarised in Table 3.1 below:

Page 4 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

Table 3.1: Summary of Design Parameters Design Parameters Design Horizon Flows Design Dry Weather Flow Average to DWF Ratio Design average flow Formula A Design Flow to Full Treatment (FFT) Loads Design PE Crude BOD load Crude Amm.N load Crude SS load Crude Total P Total coliforms concentration Faecal coliforms concentration Units Year m3/day m3/day m3/day m3/day Values 2014 1,428 1.25 1,785 5,883 3,549

PE kg(BOD)/day kg(Amm.N)/day kg(SS)/d kg (T-P)/day /100ml /100ml

8,831 530 71 662 22 5.0E+08 3.0E+07

3.2

Effluent Quality Standards

The effluent quality required to satisfy anticipated SEPA requirements is summarised in Table 3.2. Table 3.2: Effluent Quality Standards Parameter BOD5 TSS pH Lower tier Upper tier 50 mg/l 100 mg/l N/A 100 mg/l N/A 6 to 8 Disinfected Bacteriological Standard Deemed Standard The final effluent is to be treated with UV disinfection in order to decrease the bacteriological loads discharged to the Moray Firth and reduce the potential impact on the resident population of bottlenose dolphins. However, it is not anticipated that the works will have to comply with a numerical bacteriological standard such as the bathing water standard. No provision has therefore been made for tertiary solids removal prior to disinfection.

Page 5 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

4
4.1

Operation & Control Philosophy

Inlet flows

The flow to the works comprises combined wastewater and storm water from the existing catchment at Inverness airport, Fort George and Ardersier and separate foul flows from the new developments at Whiteness and the airport development. The flows are mainly pumped with flows from Dalcross PS (airport) transferred to the existing pump station at Ship Inn which transfers flow to the existing works for treatment. The flows from Whiteness and the airport development will be pumped directly to the new works. 4.2 Wastewater treatment

The wastewater treatment will be provided as follows: Preliminary treatment comprising; Flow balancing Fine screening Grit removal

Primary solids separation in radial flow primary settlement tanks Biological treatment by the activated sludge process Biomass separation in radial flow final settlement tanks UV disinfection by low pressure, in-channel, UV disinfection units Effluent transfer pump station to deliver the treated effluent to the outfall 4.2.1 Flow balancing

Flows received at the works will be attenuated in a balance tank. This has no overflow. The balance tank will also have room to store up to two hours of Formula A storm flows from the combined catchments. When the storm capacity is exceeded, the storm pumps of the combined catchments will be inhibited and excess storm water will overflow at the terminal pump station to sea down the existing short outfall. The flow to treatment will be transferred by variable speed, submersible centrifugal pumps. Pump selection will allow a wide range of flows to be pumped such as the flow to treatment can be optimised while maintaining reasonable CAPEX and OPEX costs. Flow balancing will consist of: Balancing tank with volume for all the flows to the works: Storm storage volume Additional balancing volume to balance flows from the separate catchments

Page 6 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

Control bands either side of the balance volume to control the variable speed pumps to the works.

Mixer Variable speed feed pumps to the works Inlet pipe work from Ardersier, Fort George, Airport development and Whiteness. 4.2.2 (i) Inlet Flow Measurement & Sampling Flow measurement

Flow to the works (FFT) will be measured at the inlet works upstream of the fines screen. The choice between flume or magflow meter is to be confirmed. (ii) Sampling

Sampling of the inlet flow is normally undertaken down stream of the fine screens to reduce the frequency of sample line blockage and failure of sample collection. 4.2.3 Preliminary treatment

It is likely that the inlet works, excluding the balance tank will be provided as a single package unit. As such the individual items are likely to comply with the suppliers typical package to accommodate the design flows. There is currently no odour problem resulting in nuisance at the existing Ardersier works. In the event that odour is predicted to cause a nuisance, possibly arising from the Whiteness delivery trunk sewer, and failure to suppress septicity in the rising main, then it may be necessary to provide odour containment and abatement facilities at the inlet works. The balance tank would be covered and the preliminary treatment plant covered or enclosed in a light industrial building and ventilated to an odour abatement plant for treatment prior to discharge to atmosphere. (i) Screens

Two Nr 6 mm-2D automatically cleaned fine screens each operating at 75% duty in duty/assist mode will provide screenings removal. Operation of the cleaning mechanism will be controlled by differential head across the screens, with an override to provide automatic cleaning on a timed basis if no differential is measured within a defined time period. This will also serve to prevent equipment failure during freezing conditions. The screens are provided with a bypass channel that will accommodate the full flow in the event of the screens not working. The channel will be equipped with a manually raked bar screen with a bar spacing of 25 mm. In the event that this screen blocks the flow will overtop the screen and flow down the bypass to primary settlement. This channel is to be provided with a flow detector to indicate when this channel is in operation.

Page 7 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

The screenings will be removed using a launder which will transfer the screenings to 1Nr washpactor for cleaning and compaction prior to discharge to a skip. The screenings handling plant is designed to handle an average un-compacted screenings production of 0.4 m3/d and a peak load of 9.9 m3/d. The contractor should satisfy himself that the screenings and grit handling plant are adequate to handle peak loads arising from the catchment. Wash water for the screens and screenings handling will be provided from the disinfected effluent wash water system. Liquors from the compactor will be returned to the head of the works via the return liquors pumps. (ii) Grit removal

Grit removal is to be provided in 1 Nr grit separator equipped with a bypass to facilitate maintenance. The grit will be cleaned and classified before discharge to skip for off-site disposal. The average grit production is estimated at 0.3 t/day The influent wastewater will then pass to primary settlement for treatment. Wash water for the grit classifier will be provided from the disinfected effluent wash water system and dirty wash water will be returned to the head of the works via the return liquors pumps. 4.2.4 (i) Primary settlement Primary settlement tanks

The screened and degritted sewage will flow by gravity to primary settlement for treatment. Return liquors will join the flow upstream of the distribution chamber which will divide the combined flow equally between the 2 Nr radial flow primary settlement tanks (PST). The tanks will each be equipped with: Diffuser Half bridge scraper Scum baffle Scum removal system with scum pumps Timer controlled automatic pumped desludging system Drainage system to chamber discharging by gravity to the site pump station for tank emptying purpose Desludge pipe work & rodding system Settled sewage will overflow the outlet weir and discharge by gravity to a collection chamber for transfer by gravity to the secondary biological treatment process.

Page 8 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

Settled sludge will be scraped towards the sludge hopper from which it will be periodically pumped on a timed basis to the primary sludge consolidation tank. Scum will be collected by the scum removal system designed to minimise the amount of water collected. The scum will be pumped to the sludge consolidation tank by scum pumps and the scum reception pipe work will provide adequate storage for at least one days scum. (ii) Automatic desludge system

The primary settlement tank will be served by an automated pump desludging system that will transfer sludge on a periodic basis to the primary sludge consolidation tank. The operation of the half bridge scrapers shall operate in conjunction with the automatic desludging system with the scrapers being activated prior to desludging operation to ensure that the settled sludge is conveyed to the sludge hopper for removal. The transfer of scum will be integrated with desludging activities to transfer scum to the primary sludge consolidation tank, however the frequency of scum transfer will only be twice per day. Type of pumps: Nr pumps: positive displacement 2 Nr duty (With boxed spare) sludge pumps, 1 Nr duty scum pump (1 boxed spare)

The desludging pumps, one dedicated to each tank, will be operated on a timed basis to pump the sludge from the primary settlement tanks. The sludge will be transferred direct to the primary sludge consolidation tank. The operation of the pump will be inhibited by a high level in the primary sludge consolidation tank. 4.2.5 Inter-stage Pumping

An inter-stage pump station downstream of the primary settlement tanks will lift flows to the activated sludge lane distribution chamber. A by-pass will be installed downstream of the PSTs and upstream of the inter-stage pump station to by-pass secondary treatment in the case of plant failure. Flows will also by-pass UV disinfection and flow directly to the sampling chamber and outfall pump station. The inter-stage pump sump will have sufficient capacity to accommodate operational variations from the variable speed pumps at the inlet works as well as continued overflow from the PSTs when both the inlet FFT pumps and the inter-stage pumps are switched off (for example during plant shutdown or power failures). 4.2.6 Activated Sludge

As the effluent quality standard does not require nitrification the aeration tanks are preceded by selector zones providing between 10 and 30 minutes retention.

Page 9 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

The activated sludge treatment system will comprise two streams each consisting of a selector tank and an aeration tank. The settled sewage will be pumped to a flow splitting chamber which distributes the flow evenly between the two streams. Facilities, stop logs, will be provided for the distribution chamber to permit all flow to be diverted to one treatment stream as required. The distribution chamber will also receive pumped RAS and will be sized to provide sufficient mixing of settled sewage and RAS and to accommodate a mixer. A baffle will be provided in the distribution chamber to limit turbulence on the surface over the weirs. With one tank out of service it shall be possible to achieve treatment in a single aeration lane by increasing the MLSS concentration and providing all the air flow through to 1Nr lane, for example during diffuser maintenance. (i) Selector Zones

Each selector zone shall have a total volume of 36 m3 to provide a retention period in this zone of 10 to 30 minutes. Each zone will be equipped with mixers providing 10W/m3 of mixing power. The mixers shall be fixed, low speed, low shear units operated on a continuous basis and may be submersible or dry mounted. The selector zones will be separated from the aeration zones by a submerged wall that will be designed to minimise cross-flow and the accumulation of scum in the selector. Mixed liquor exiting the selector zone will flow by gravity into the aeration zone. (ii) Aeration zones

Due to the high levels of saline intrusion currently experienced at Ardersier STW and in accordance with the SW Saline Intrusion Decision Matrix, the aeration tanks will be sized to provide 75% of HRT with one unit out of service. The aeration zones will be aerated by fine-bubble diffused air supplied by blowers, air delivery pipe work and diffusers to each of the aeration tanks. The diffusers shall be of the membrane diffuser type and be distributed according to the anticipated oxygen demand in the aeration tanks. At the outlet, mixed liquors will overflow the outlet weir to a collection channel which drains by gravity to a collection and distribution chamber serving the final settlement tanks. (iii) Air supply system

The air will be supplied by 2Nr blowers operating in duty/standby mode. Peak air flow Pressure 860 Nm3/h 0.65 Bar (TBC by supplier)

The blowers shall be located within a kiosk and fitted with acoustic hoods to avoid noise nuisance.

Page 10 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

(iv)

Aeration control

The delivery of air to the aeration system shall be controlled by feed-back from a dissolved oxygen control system capable of maintaining a dissolved oxygen content in the mixed liquor of 0.5 to 1 mg/l to accomplish carbonaceous oxidation. Each aeration tank will be provided with a single dissolved oxygen electrode in an appropriate location within the tank. A control algorithm will be provided to maintain the dissolved oxygen within the set control range. 4.2.7 (i) Final settlement tanks Settlement Tanks

The mixed liquor at a concentration of about 2500 mg/l will flow by gravity to final settlement for separation of the biomass from the treated secondary effluent. The mixed liquor from each treatment stream will combine upstream of the distribution chamber which will divide the combined flow equally between the 2 Nr radial flow final settlement tanks The tanks will each be equipped with: Diffuser half bridge scraper scum baffle scum removal system and scum pump (1 boxed spare) adjustable v-notch peripheral weir Drainage system to chamber discharging by gravity to the site pump station for tank emptying purpose Desludge pipe work with rodding system Secondary effluent will overflow the outlet weir and discharge by gravity to the UV disinfection channel. Settled biomass will be scraped towards the sludge hopper from which it will be discharged by hydrostatic head via a bellmouth and drain to the recycled activated sludge (RAS) wet well for return on a continuous basis to the selector zones. The operation of the half bridge scarpers will be continuous. Surplus activated sludge will be wasted at a rate to control the MLSS in the aeration plant within process limits. Typically this will be between 2,250 and 2,750 mgl/SS. A TSS probe will be provided for this purpose. Scum will be discharged from the scum collection system to a scum pump which will transfer it to the primary sludge consolidation tank. The operation of the pump will be automatic controlled by level sensors.

Page 11 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

(ii)

RAS & SAS Pump station

RAS will discharge to the wet well of the RAS/SAS PS by gravity. The RAS pumps will be variable speed, submerged, centrifugal pumps capable of pumping 0.5 to 1.5 DWF. RAS will be returned on a continuous basis, regardless of incoming flow, at an average design rate of 1 DWF. The SAS pumps will be submerged centrifugal variable speed pumps, operated on a timed basis set by the operator to maintain the MLSS concentration within process limits. A boxed spare will be provided. The bellmouths in the settlement tank outlet chambers will be manually set to provide the correct continuous discharge rate and the duty RAS pump will operate continuously with level measurement to prevent the pump running dry. Operation of the SAS pumps will be on a timed basis set by the operator so as to maintain the mixed liquor suspended solids within process limits (eg for a MLSS 2500 mg/l, a typical set range is 2,250 to 2,750 mg/l). SAS will be stored in the SAS storage tank and treated in a drum thickener with polymer dosing system. SAS will be wasted intermittently on a 24 hour basis, say 20 min every hour, while the drum thickener will run 18 hours per day. A manual override will be provided to permit the operation of the drum thickener for longer periods to make up for any accumulation of sludge during shutdown periods. Bypass pipework shall be provided to enable the thickener to be bypassed in the event that the drum thickener is out of operation. In this case un-thickened SAS will be transferred direct to the thickened sludge storage tank and manually decanted to provide some thickening. 4.2.8 Ultra-violet Disinfection

The UV disinfection is provided in an open channel and comprises two banks of low pressure mercury lamps with variable output control maintained in a submerged condition by a fixed weir at the outlet end of the channel. The UV plant comprises the following: Nr Channels Nr banks of UV lamps per channel UV lamps per bank Type UV lamp Lamp lifetime Cleaning system Level control in channel Installed power UV dose monitor 1 Nr 2 Nr (duty/assist) 16 Nr High intensity low pressure 12,000 hours Automatic mechanical wiping system Fixed weir 11.6 kW @ 100% power level 1 Nr per bank

Page 12 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

The UV disinfection will operate on a continuous basis provided flow is passing through the channel and up to 2 hours after all flow through the channel has stopped. Disinfection will be provided by UV irradiation from the UV lamps controlled. The irradiation is controlled automatically by a UV irradiation monitor within the UV banks and allows for operation of one bank or two banks dependent upon the flow received and the transmissivity of the final effluent. The mechanical cleaners will automatically wipe the UV lamp sleeves to prevent deposition on the sleeves causing a deterioration in irradiation dose. At times of zero flow, the proprietary control system times the no flow period and after a preset time period will switch off the remaining active UV bank. This helps to prevent overheating of the UV lamps and unnecessary power consumption. On detection of flow, the lamps will reactivate. There is no requirement for recirculation through the UV channel. 4.2.9 Final Effluent Wash Water System

Disinfected Final effluent will be used to provide wash water to the following processes on site: Screenings wash Screenings cleaning Grit classifier Drum thickener Site wash water system Disinfected final effluent will be taken downstream of the UV disinfection plant by the wash water pump station. This will provide wash water to the areas listed above. The pump station will comprise duty and standby pumps and pressure vessel to maintain the appropriate pressure within the site wash water system. 4.2.10 Final Effluent Sampling Point

The final effluent sampling point shall be provided as the designated SEPA sampling point. The chamber provided shall provide facilities for the permanent installation of an automatic final effluent sampler. It shall also permit manual sampling of final effluent for bacteriological testing. The chamber should also permit SEPA to install flow measurement facilities should this be required. 4.2.11 Wash Water Final Effluent Outlet Pump Station

The final effluent outfall pump station will lift the treated effluent for discharge via the proposed sea outfall in the vicinity of Fort George. Duty and standby submersible centrifugal pumps will be installed with a capacity sufficient to pump FFT plus return liquors flows through the outfall at a head of 20m (to be confirmed by head loss calculations of the outfall during detailed design).

Page 13 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

The pumps will operate automatically on level control in the existing outfall chamber. 4.3 4.3.1 Sludge Handling Surplus Activated Sludge Thickening Plant (Drum thickener)

The drum thickener is used to thicken surplus activated sludge, separately from the primary sludge, before transfer to the thickened sludge storage tank. Intermediate sludge storage is provided between the SAS pumps and the drum thickener in the SAS storage tank. If the drum thickener is out of use, sludge will be allowed to accumulate on a temporary basis within the activated sludge plant before the SAS is sent to the thickened sludge storage tank via the drum thickener bypass. Operation of the SAS pumps is defined in Section 4.2.7(ii). The surplus activated sludge thickening plant will comprise: Inlet from SAS pump station SAS storage tank Polymer make-up and storage facility In-line injection/mixing of polymer Drum thickener with integral flocculation tank Thickened sludge discharge to hopper feeding thickened sludge transfer pumps Thickened sludge transfer pumps Discharge pipe work to thickened sludge storage tank Operation of the drum thickener, and associated sludge conditioning and transfer pumps will be automatic and initiated once per day or when the SAS storage tank is full. The thickening plant is designed to operate for 18 hours per day . Notwithstanding other conditions, the activation of the SAS thickening plant will be inhibited by a high level in the thickened sludge storage tank. Under these conditions an alarm will be raised to indicate that sludge requires to be exported from site for disposal. If thickening is interrupted for any length of time, the operational duty can be extended provided there is sufficient storage capacity within the thickened sludge storage tank. 4.3.2 Primary Sludge Consolidation Tank

This tank comprises an above ground glassed-steel tank that receives un-thickened raw sludge and scum (from the primary and secondary settlement tanks). The tank is equipped with decant and drain facilities to permit manual decanting of supernatant for thickening of the primary sludge. Tank diameter Tank height to TWL Freeboard above top water level overflow Liquid storage capacity 4.4 m 4.0 0.5 m 60 m3

Page 14 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

The tank is equipped as follows: Decant and drain facilities (supernatant to drain to the return liquors pump station for return to the inflow upstream of the primary settlement tank) Submersible mixer Tanker loading point Covered with inlet and outlet vents to permit extraction for the abatement of foul odours Level monitor Thickened sludge transfer pumps High level alarm The primary sludge consolidation tank has been designed to provide 5 days storage for raw primary sludge at an assumed solids content of 3%DS assuming operator visits to the works twice a week and allowing for week-ends. Decanting of supernatant will be undertaken manually, during site visits, followed by operation of the in-tank mixer to suspend the tank contents prior to transfer to the thickened sludge storage tank. Transfer of thickened sludge is manually initiated, and will be inhibited by a high level in the thickened sludge storage tank. A tanker loading point is also provided, should direct export of the thickened primary sludge be required. A single thickened sludge transfer pump is to be provided, with a boxed spare in case of failure of the duty pump. This will be a positive displacement pump. 4.3.3 Thickened Sludge Storage Tank

This tank comprises an above ground glassed-steel tank that receives thickened raw sludge and thickened surplus activated sludge from the primary sludge consolidation tank and the drum thickener respectively. The tank is equipped with decant and drain facilities to permit manual decanting of supernatant if required. Tank diameter Tank height to TWL Freeboard above top water level overflow Liquid storage capacity The tank is equipped as follows: Decant and drain facilities (supernatant to drain to the return liquors pump station for return to the inflow upstream of the primary settlement tank) Submersible mixer Tanker loading point Covered with inlet and outlet vents to permit extraction for the abatement of foul odours Level monitor 6.4 m 4.0 0.5 m 130 m3

Page 15 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

High level alarm The thickened sludge storage tank has been designed to provide 10 days storage for thickened sludge at a design solids content of 5%DS. Operator decanting can also be undertaken during operator visits to the works twice a week should this be required. Prior to tanker loading, the operator/tanker driver will mix the sludge to suspend the solids and then transfer the sludge to the tanker using gravity and the tanker suction facility. A high level sensor in the thickened sludge storage tank will inhibit further transfers to this storage tank once the tank is full. 4.3.4 Return Liquor Pump Sump/Balancing Facility

The return liquor pump sump receives liquors from the following units: Screenings compactor and grit classifier Primary consolidation tank Thickened sludge storage tank Drum thickener Site drainage The return liquors wet well and transfer pumps will serve to attenuate the return of liquors to the works upstream of the primary settlement tanks. Balancing is achieved by selection of the pump transfer rate and the capacity of the pump sump. Return liquors pump: Pump sump balancing volume: 6 m3/h 60 m3

Due to the low flows in the return liquors there is a possibility of fouling of the pipeline. A flushing pump will therefore be required to operate intermittently to clean out deposits from the pipe. This will achieve 1 m/s velocity in the return liquors pipe and will only be operated at periods of low flow to avoid hydraulically overloading the works. 4.4 4.4.1 Odour Containment and Abatement General

The current plant is not reported to generate odour nuisance. However, increased quantities of sludge handled and the transfer of wastewater from Whiteness and the airport development may increase the potential for odour nuisance. The generation of septic conditions in the wastewater transferred from Whiteness and the airport development may be suppressed by chemical dosing. Therefore only sludge handling on site is currently considered for odour containment and abatement, subject to the outcome of the odour dispersion study.

Page 16 of 17

Scottish Water

046362-0000-20-PRO-0104 Ardersier WwTW Process Control Philosophy

4.4.2

Sludge Odour Control Unit

Following the odour dispersion study undertaken (March 2010) for the proposed works at Ardersier. Odour containment and abatement of emissions from the sludge handling plant is recommended to avoid the potential for odour nuisance. The following odour treatment plant might be necessary to abate odour emissions from the sludge handling plant:

Odour biofilter Extraction system

1 Nr (Complete with irrigation system) 2 Nr extraction fans (1 Nr Duty/1 Nr standby)

Odorous air would be extracted from the following units: SAS Buffer (Storage) tank Mechanical thickener Poly make-up and thickener building Primary sludge consolidation tank Thickened sludge storage tank Return liquors pump sump Tanker Emission points Extraction would be achieved by fans downstream of the odour biofilter such that a negative pressure is maintained in the process units, the ducting and the odour biofilter to ensure no fugitive emissions of odour occurs. The treated air would be discharged to atmosphere through a dedicated stack. The media within the biofilter would be maintained in a wetted condition by continuous irrigation with final effluent. This would be achieved by duty and standby pumps feeding the irrigation system from a sump receiving the drainage water from the media. Periodic addition of fresh effluent to the pump sump will prevent accumulation of salts in the irrigation water. Should additional polishing be required, the off-gases from the biofilter could be passed through an activated carbon polishing unit before discharge to atmosphere via the vent stack. Tanker off-gases would be dealt with in a dedicated carbon adsorption unit

Page 17 of 17