Nutrient Removal Processes

MARK GEHRING
TECHNICAL SALES MGR., BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT
Presentation Outline

1. Nutrient removal, treatment fundamentals

2. Treatment strategies
• Treatment methods: CAS, SBR, Ox Ditch
• Case stories
• Mixing integration

2
 Wastewater Treatment Basics
• Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
» Depletes oxygen
» Relatively Easy to Remove

• Nutrients
» Nitrogen and Phosphorus
» More difficult to remove
» Promote aquatic plant growth, resulting in
Hypoxia = Low dissolved oxygen caused
by decaying aquatic plant life

• Point and non-point sources

» Point (WWTP)
» Non-point (run-off)

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Technologies Available

Biological
• Activated Sludge
• Removal of BOD, TSS,
Nitrogen & Phosphorus

Physical & Chemical

• Tertiary Filtration
• Removal of TSS, which also
captures N and P that are
contained in the mixed liquor
solids

4
Activated Sludge –what is this stuff?
Culture of microorganisms mixed with
wastewater in an aerobic/anoxic/anaerobic
environment for the removal of organic matter
and nutrients.

5
Basic Terminology

MLSS: Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids, biomass or

microorganism mass including other particulates.

F/M Ratio: “F” is the food or biodegradable organic matter

(BOD5). “M” are the microorganisms or MLSS.

SRT (or MCRT): solids retention time or mean cell residence

time is the average duration of time an organism spends in
the system. Often the first step in plant design, dictated by
need to nitrify and wastewater temperature.

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Solids Retention Time (SRT)

MLSS (lbs) = V (MG) * [MLSS] (mg/L) * 8.345

Effluent TSS (lbs)

Volume
MLSS (lbs)
WAS (lbs/d)

MLSS (lbs) WAS (lbs/d) = Qwas (MGD) * [MLSS] (mg/L) * 8.345

SRT =
WAS (lbs/d)
SRT
V (MG) * [MLSS] (mg/L)
SRT =
Q (MGD) * [MLSS] (mg/L)
Defines Tank Volume
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Sludge Age Impacts…
- Oxygen Demand (endogenous respiration)
- Sludge Quantity & Composition
- Nitrification
- Phosphorus Removal
- Alkalinity

8
Bacteria – Impact of SRT

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 Basic Terminology

Anaerobic: Absent of dissolved oxygen

and chemically bound oxygen.

Anoxic: Absent of dissolved oxygen,

chemically bound oxygen
present (NO3-N).

Aerobic: Dissolved oxygen and

chemically bound oxygen
present.

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 Bacteria – who and what are they?

HETEROTROPHS (BOD OXIDIZING ORGANISMS)

Microorganisms that use organic carbon compounds as their C source.

Most absorb the C as soluble material from environment.

AUTOTROPHS (AMMONIA OXIDIZING ORGANISMS)

Microorganisms that use CO2 as their (only) C source. Most absorb the C as
soluble inorganic material from aqueous or gaseous environment.

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Influent Parameters and Design Impacts
1. Flow
» Basin size
2. BOD5 Mass Load
» Basin size
» Aeration system size
3. TSS
» Basin Size
4. Nitrogen
» Aeration system size
» Aerobic/anoxic environment
5. Phosphorus
» Anaerobic environment
6. Temperature
» Basin size

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 Nitrification
• Temperature 4 - 45° C
For every 10°C drop, nitrifier growth rate will drop by 50%

• Alkalinity 50 mg/l as CaCO3 min.

• pH 6.5 - 8.8

• D.O. 0.5 - 2.5 mg/l (>2.0)

• ORP +250 mV

• SRT 10 - 25 days (temp dependent)

• Nitrifiers (autotrophic) are more susceptible to toxicity than BOD

removers (heterotrophic) and slowest growing.

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 Denitrification
• Nitrate and organic carbon in presence of facultative
heterotrophs + anoxic conditions results in O2 + N2 
» 2.86 g O2 recovered / g NO3-N denitrified

• External carbon source (requirements based on influent) -

ratio of 5 to 1 BOD to TKN is ideal

• Alkalinity recovered
» 3.54 g as CaCO3 / g of NO3-N denitrified

• Oxidation reduction potential (ORP) -50 to +50 mV

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 Phosphorus

Macronutrient for biomass (100C:2P)

Domestic sewage total-P
• 6 - 20 mg/l
• Typical U.S. municipal = 8 mg/l or 0.0067 lb/d/cap
Organic-P (organically bound-tissue) 2 - 5 mg/l
Inorganic-P (ortho- and poly-P) 4 - 15 mg/l
P content in sludge 2% - 7%
Biological, chemical, and physical removal processes

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Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Create environment favorable to Phosphorus Accumulating Organisms
(PAO’s)

Step 1: Anaerobic Phase

• Phosphorus release
Step 2: Aerobic Phase
• Phosphorus uptake and creation of new PAOs
• Phosphorus removal by sludge wasting

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Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal

Successful bio-P removal depends on:

- Anaerobic conditions (zero dissolved oxygen and zero nitrate)
- Volatile fatty acids (VFA, rbCOD)
- Solids management (SRT, WAS, and side streams)

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Factors Affecting Biological Phosphorus
Removal
TPout = TPin - {(BODin - BODout) x Y x TPps}

D.O. (aerobic phase) 2 mg/l

D.O. (anaerobic phase) 0 mg/l
ORP >- 50 mV
SRT (Days) 10 - 15
BOD / P 20 (minimum)
Minimal Nitrate

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2. Treatment Strategies
Nutrient Removal Heat Map

EPA Identified Nutrient

Removal Priority States*:
WI, MN, FL, NY, NJ, MA,
DE, RI, HI, NE, SC, WV

Watersheds:
Chesapeake Bay
Mississippi River

* ID as either 1, 2 or more waterways with N and/or P criteria

http://cfpub.epa.gov/wqsits/nnc-development/npmap.html
Nitrification

Influent Effluent
Aerobic Clarifier

RAS WAS

1. Organic N in influent converted to Ammonia

2. Autotrophs oxidize ammonia to Nitrate in Aerobic zone

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Denitrification
Internal Recycle
(100-400% Q)

Influent Effluent
Anoxic Aerobic Clarifier
(Q)

RAS (50-100% Q) WAS

1. Organic N in influent converted to Ammonia

2. Autotrophs oxidize ammonia to Nitrate in Aerobic zone

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Denitrification
Internal Recycle
(100-400% Q)

Influent Effluent
Anoxic Aerobic Clarifier
(Q)

RAS (50-100% Q) WAS

1. Nitrates from Aerobic zone recirculated to Anoxic zone

2. Facultative Heterotrophs use Nitrates to oxidize influent
BOD in Anoxic stage, producing Nitrogen Gas

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Advanced Denitrification
Internal Recycle
(400 % Q)

Influent Anoxic Aerobic Anoxic Post Clarifier Effluent

(Q) 1 2 Aerobic

RAS (100% Q) WAS

1. Anoxic 2 zone reactions similar to zone 1, except BOD

produced by endogenous respiration or carbon addition
2. Post aeration to promote aerobic conditions prior to clarifier

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Basic Biological Phosphorus Removal

Influent Anaerobic Aerobic Clarifier Effluent

(Q)

RAS (50-100% Q) WAS

1. Phosphorus release in Anaerobic Zone

2. Phosphorus uptake in Aerobic zone

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Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Internal Recycle
(100-200% Q)

Influent Anaerobic Anoxic Aerobic Clarifier Effluent

(Q)

RAS (50-100% Q) WAS

1. Phosphorus release in Anaerobic Zone

2. Denitrification in Anoxic Zone
3. Mixed liquor recycle from Anoxic to Anaerobic zone to
minimize nitrate concentration in Anaerobic zone

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Advanced Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal

Internal Recycle
(400% Q)

Influent Anaerobic Anoxic Aerobic Anoxic Post Clarifier Effluent

(Q) 1 2 Aerobic

RAS (100% Q) WAS

1. Mixed liquor recycle from Anoxic zone to Anaerobic Zone is not

necessary, as nitrate concentration in the RAS stream is low.

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Limits of Enhanced Biological Phosphorus
Removal

• With Anaerobic Zone, but without

Anoxic Zone < 1 to 2 mg/l TP
• With Anaerobic and Anoxic zones <
0.5 to 0.8 mg/l

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Chemical Phosphorus Removal

Precipitation or adsorption with chemical addition

- Ferric chloride (ferric)
- Aluminum sulfate (alum)
- Poly aluminum chlorides (PAC)

Effluent soluble P concentrations

• Can be reduced to < 0.05 mg/l

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Benefits of Tertiary Treatment
Gravity separation (0.8 to 1.0 mg/L)

Physical removal—filter or
membrane (0.05 mg/L to 0.5 mg/L)

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Tertiary Treatment vs. MBR

Tertiary Treatment
• Lower chemical cost, as biological
process can be isolated from
chemical precipitation process
• Larger footprint for filtration
equipment

MBR
- Higher chemical cost, as chemicals added to
precipitate phosphorus inhibit biological phosphorus
removal
- Smaller Footprint

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Sanitaire Bioloop Oxidation Ditch
Activated sludge process solving challenges of energy efficiency,
nutrient removal, and flexibility with a complete system solution.

Energy Efficient

Operating Flexibility

Tailored Process Design

Bioloop Energy Efficient

Energy efficient equipment.

Independent aeration & mixing—dependency on aeration equipment
for mixing is eliminated.
Deeper tanks lead to increase aeration efficiency compared to
mechanical surface aerators.

AERATION MIXING RECYCLE PUMPS OSCAR

Bioloop Operating Flexibility

Independent Aeration & Mixing

Optimize Treatment
+ = & Energy
Performance
Advanced Process Controls

AERATION MIXING OSCAR

Bioloop® Tailored Process Design

• Activated sludge, often characterized as “extended aeration”

• Combination of anaerobic, anoxic, aerobic tanks
• Multiple processes available:
• NIT: aerobic only
• MLE (Modified Ludzack-Ettinger): anoxic + aerobic
• A2O: anaerobic + anoxic + aerobic
• Bardenpho 4-stage
• Bardenpho 5-stage
• Multiple Ditches Series
Combining Mixing and Aeration
• Optimized combination of aeration and
mixer design is vital for the total
efficiency

•Liquid velocity to overcome

losses caused by aeration

•Optimize bubble retention time

in the water

•Minimizing local energy losses with

optimized placement of mixers and aeration
Bioloop® Applications

• Municipal & industrial wastewater

• Retrofit existing surface mechanical facilities

• Biological phosphorus removal

• BOD5 & TSS reduction

• Nitrification & denitrification

 Bioloop® System Scope of Supply
• Diffused aeration
• Blowers
• Mixers
• Recycle Pumps
• Controls &
Instrumentation
• Process Design
• Performance
Guarantee

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Advanced Process Control Solution
(OSCAR)
Retrievable Aeration Systems
Removal of the aeration system out of the basin without basin dewatering

Benefits:
• Fits where you can’t build a second basin
• Lowers CAPEX
• Reduces Footprint
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Conversion of Ditches with Mechanical Aerators to Fine
Bubble with Submersible Mixers
South Water Reclamation Eunice, LA – 4 MLD
Facility, Orlando, FL – 78 MLD
50% energy savings
52% energy savings

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Ditch in Series Retrofit

Tifton, Georgia
6 MGD

 Previous mechanical
surface aerator/mixer
 Process design
 System responsibility
 Integrated control package
 DO/ORP control

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Optional Performance Guarantees

Capable of BNR Effluent Quality:

- TN < 5 mg/l (<3 with filter)
- TP < 1 mg/l (<0.05 mg/l with
chemical polishing & filter)
Effluent quality guarantee based on
30-day performance test
Two options for energy guarantee:
• Clean water shop test followed
by field blower power test at
design airflow rate
• 30-day field performance test

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 Why Bioloop?

• Energy efficiency

• Independent aeration and

mixing.

• Wide range of operation

• Deeper tanks (smaller

footprint)

• Proven effluent quality

• Avoids misting / icing in cold

climates
ICEAS
• Intermittent Cycle Extended Aeration System
• Continuous Flow Sequencing Batch Reactor

ICEAS Single Basin Reactor

Comparative requirements - SBR vs ASP
Conventional ASP

PC FC
HEAD ASP
WORKS

PC FC

RAS

BENEFITS
SBR Plant
30-50% Less land area
SBR 1
Lower Construction costs
HEAD SBR 2
WORKS
Less mechanical
SBR 3
equipment
SBR 4
Reduced pipework
complexity
SBR Fill and Draw Theory

Influent

1. Fill 2. React
(Aerobic / Anoxic)

3. Settle

4. Draw Effluent
5. Idle
Waste
Sludge
Influent valves required
ICEAS Operating Cycle

Continuous
Flow

1. React 2. Settle

3. Decant Treated
Continuous Flow Effluent
Waste Sludge
 Complete System: Process
Equipment & Controls

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Conventional SBR vs. ICEAS

Screened
Degritted
Influent SBR 1

SBR 2
Shortcomings of Batch SBR vs. ICEAS:
Need 2 reactors or balancing tank
Complicated valve arrangements & control Final Effluent

Cannot easily remove basin from service for maintenance

Carbon source interrupted in react phase reducing ability to remove nitrogen
and phosphorus
Unequal loading of basins during diurnal cycle causes control problems. Each
tank is a treatment plant.
ICEAS/SBR vs. Conventional BNR

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ICEAS vs. Conventional SBR

• Smaller Footprint
• Aerobic, Anoxic, Anaerobic & Settling Occurs in Same Basin
• Time Based Control
• Built in Decanter

• High Peak to Average Flow Ratio (5:1)

• Less Mechanical Components
• Ease of Process Upgrades

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Summary

Planning for future BNR requirements during initial design will

ease the upgrade process.

Preparing:
• Basin Size
• Blower and Grid Size
• Control Panel
• Mixers

Can lead to meeting and exceeding design parameters.

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ICEAS Experience

 Operating in the U.S since 1985

 Over 600 ICEAS Facilities in USA
(>900 worldwide)
 10,000 GPD - 120 MGD ADF
 Municipal and Industrial
Applications
 Proven BNR Effluent Quality
- TN < 5 mg/l (<3 with filter)
- TP < 1 mg/l (<0.05 mg/l with
chemical polishing & filter)
Optional Performance Guarantees

• Effluent quality guarantee based

on 30-day performance test
• Two options for energy
guarantee
• Clean water shop test followed
by field blower power test at
design airflow rate
• 30-day field performance test

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Mixers in wastewater treatment

digesters
sludge holding

grit
chamber
pump
station biological treatment

retention
basin
 Flygt Mixer portfolio
Top entry agitators

4850 4860 4870

Submersible compact mixers Compact HE
4610-20 4630-40 4650-60 4670-80 4650 LSPM

Submersible midsize Submersible low-speed mixers

4530 4460 7.5kW 4410 4430 4460

Jet mixers Hydro ejectors Ultra-low-head pumps

JT4710 JT4715 JT4720 JT4730 JT4735 JP4710 JP4715 JP4720 PP4630-PP4680

Installation Equip.
• Oxidation ditch – blending, circulation, suspension
• BNR – blending, solids distribution, suspension
 Selection guidelines - summary

4400 series 4600 series 4800 series JT4700 series JP4700 series
Wastewater √√√ √√√ √√√ √√√ √√√
Liquid Thick sludge (> 4%) - √√√ √√√ √√ √√
Abrasive or corrosive fluid √√√ √√√ √√√ √ √
Horizontal flow, flat tank √√√ √√√ - √√√ √√√
Vertical flow, tall tank - √ √√√ √ -
Tank
Sealed tank √ √ √√ √√√ -
Low liquid level (< 1 m) - √ - √√√ √√√
Energy efficient √√√ √√ √√√ √ √
Lean installation √√ √√√ √ √√ √√√
Economy
Easy service √√ √√ √√√ √√√ √
Durability √√√ √√ √√√ √√ √√
Other Motor type integrated integrated standard integrated integrated

√√√ = excellent √√ = good √ = average - = typically not recommended

Exceptions apply. Each case must be considered individually.
Questions?