Monitoring and troubleshooting of non-filamentous settling and dewatering problems in an industrial activated sludge treatment plant

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 155-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. V. Kjellerup ◽  
K. Keiding ◽  
P. H. Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Industrial Plant ◽  
Floc Strength ◽  
Floc Properties ◽  
One Year ◽  
Solid Liquid

A large industrial activated sludge wastewater treatment plant had temporary problems with settling and dewatering of the sludge. Microscopical investigations revealed that the poor settling properties were not due to presence of filamentous bacteria, but poor floc properties. In order to characterise the changes in floc properties that led to settling and dewatering problems and to find reasons for this taking place, a comprehensive monitoring program was conducted during more than one year. The monitoring program included various measurements of floc settleability, floc strength and sludge dewaterability. The monitoring program revealed that a deterioration of the floc strength and the settling properties in the process tanks was closely connected to downstream dewatering problems and poor effluent quality. Particularly severe problems were observed a few weeks after the production at the factory had started after summer closedown. Possible reasons for the changes in floc properties in the process tanks were found by a) analysing change in wastewater composition by evaluating the different production lines in the industrial plant, b) evaluating the operation of the plant, and c) performing short-term laboratory experiments testing factors that could potentially affect floc properties (absence of oxygen, presence of sulphide, detergents, etc). Among several measured parameters, the use of floc strength measurements in particular proved useful to monitor the activated sludge floc properties at this industrial plant. The described strategy can be useful in general to find and solve many solid/liquid separation problems in activated sludge wastewater treatment plants.

One-year operation of single household membrane bioreactor plant

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Matulova ◽  
P. Hlavinek ◽  
M. Drtil
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
One Year ◽  
Flexible Operation

This paper evaluates the results from a 12-month study of a single-household wastewater treatment plant with submerged membrane module (household MBR plant) that was monitored from winter to winter season. The samples were collected at least twice a week (an intensive research study at real conditions). The household MBR (membrane bioreactor) plant was linked to a family house with 4 residents. In this study the treatment plant was fed by real domestic wastewater. In contrast to most other experiments with small-scale WWTPs (wastewater treatment plants) carried out in laboratories and facilities of large municipal WWTPs (polygons) which guarantee stable and flexible operation but the characteristics of wastewater and activated sludge in these studies usually differ from those that occur in real small-scale/single-household WWTPs. One of the main goals of this research was to test the response of membrane and activated sludge to different conditions during real operation of the household MBR plant, such as a long period of zero influent/load, or vice versa the presence of a large amount of concentrated wastewater (e.g. during the weekend), very low winter temperatures (water temperature below 5–6°C), high pH values, and the presence of domestic detergents.

OPTIMIZING OPERATION OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS BY OFFLINE AND ONLINE COMPUTER SIMULATION

1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf Otterpohl ◽  
Thomas Rolfs ◽  
Jörg Londong
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Computer Work ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Wide Range

Computer simulation of activated sludge plant for nitrogen removal has become a reliable tool to predict the behaviour of the plant Models including biological phosphorus removal still require some practical experience but they should be available soon. This will offer an even wider range than today's work with nitrogen removal. One major benefit of computer simulation of wastewater treatment plants (WTP) is the optimization of operation. This can be done offline if hydrographs of a plant are collected and computer work is done with “historical” analysis. With online simulation the system is fed with hydrographs up to the actual time. Prognosis can be done from the moment of the computer work based on usual hydrographs. The work of the authors shows how accuratly a treatment plant can be described, when many parameters are measured and available as hydrographs. A very careful description of all details of the special plant is essential, requiring a flexible simulation tool. Based on the accurate simulation a wide range of operational decisions can be evaluated. It was possible to demonstrate that the overall efficiency in nitrogen removal and energy consumption of ml activated sludge plant can be improved.

Model-based evaluation of nitrogen removal in a tannery wastewater treatment plant

2004 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 251-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Moussa ◽  
A.R. Rojas ◽  
C.M. Hooijmans ◽  
H.J. Gijzen ◽  
M.C.M. van Loosdrecht
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Computer Modelling ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Biological Tests

Computer modelling has been used in the last 15 years as a powerful tool for understanding the behaviour of activated sludge wastewater treatment systems. However, computer models are mainly applied for domestic wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Application of these types of models to industrial wastewater treatment plants requires a different model structure and an accurate estimation of the kinetics and stoichiometry of the model parameters, which may be different from the ones used for domestic wastewater. Most of these parameters are strongly dependent on the wastewater composition. In this study a modified version of the activated sludge model No. 1 (ASM 1) was used to describe a tannery WWTP. Several biological tests and complementary physical-chemical analyses were performed to characterise the wastewater and sludge composition in the context of activated sludge modelling. The proposed model was calibrated under steady-state conditions and validated under dynamic flow conditions. The model was successfully used to obtain insight into the existing plant performance, possible extension and options for process optimisation. The model illustrated the potential capacity of the plant to achieve full denitrification and to handle a higher hydraulic load. Moreover, the use of a mathematical model as an effective tool in decision making was demonstrated.

OPTIMISATION OF W ASTEW A TER TREATMENT PLANTS BY MEANS OF COMPUTER MODELS

1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 181-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
René Dupont ◽  
Ole Sinkjær
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Pilot Plant ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Operational Strategies ◽  
Nitrification Process ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Calibration Tool ◽  
Denitrification Process

The objective of the work presented is to demonstrate how computer based models can be used to improve the effluent quality from wastewater treatment plants by optimisation of the operation. The investigation was carried out in connection with pilot plant investigations at Damhusllen Wastewater Treatment Plant in order to establish the design basis for upgrading the treatment plants in the city of Copenhagen. Calibration of the model was done with thorough characterisation of the wastewater and the activated sludge as the primary calibration tool. Special attention was paid to the nitrification process, which by previous investigations was shown to be occasionally inhibited. Model constants for the nitrification process were detennined from experiments. Default constants were used for nearly all other constants. The pilot plant was optimized with the calibrated model. Different operational strategies for improvement of the denitrification process were tested. The denitrification process was operated relatively poorly at the time for the optimisation. The calibration showed that it was possible to calibrate the model using the characterization of the wastewater and the activated sludge as the primary calibration tool. Further it was shown that the calihrated model could be used as a tool for optimising the operation of the pilot plant. The suggested operation correlated well with the practical realisable operation.

Using metazoa to reduce sludge production

1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
pp. 171-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Rensink ◽  
W. H. Rulkens
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Brewery Wastewater ◽  
Trickling Filters ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Nitrification Process ◽  
Sludge Production

Pilot plant experiments have been carried out to study the mineralization of sludge from biological wastewater treatment plants by worms such as Tubificidae. Trickling filters filled with lava slags were continuously fed with a certain quantity of excess activated sludge of a Dutch brewery wastewater treatment plant (Bavaria) by recirculation during 10 to 14 days. At the starting point of each experiment the trickling filters were inoculated with Tubificidae. Recirculation of sludge showed that use of Tubificidae resulted in a COD reduction of the sludge (mixed liquor) of 18–67–. Without worms this reduction was substantially lower. The sludge production in a pilot activated sludge system for treating settled domestic wastewater reduced from 0.40 to 0.15 g MLSS/g COD removed when Tubificidae were added to the system. The lower amounts of sludge were always accompanied by an increase of nitrate and phosphate concentration in the wastewater. There was no disturbance of the nitrification process. Application of Tubificidae or other worms may have interesting potential for practical application.

Controlling Activated Sludge Process Using EFOR

1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 783-790
Author(s):  
J. Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Simulation Program ◽  
Activated Sludge Process ◽  
Activated Sludge Model

A newly developed simulation program, based on the Activated Sludge Model No. 1, has been investigated for its controlling abilities. The program is capable of simulating most of the control types which have been applied to wastewater treatment plants. The program was tested on a nitrifying and a denitrifying treatment plant. The results showed that the model makes good simulations of the applied controls.

Experience with Two-Stage Activated Sludge Plants for Industrial Wastewaters in Korea

1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 427-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Schulze-Rettmer ◽  
S. S. Kim ◽  
S. S. Son
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Pilot Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Activated Sludge Process ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Industrial Wastewaters ◽  
Textile Dyeing ◽  
One Year

The two-stage activated sludge process (AB-process, i.e. adsorption activated sludge process) invented by Boehnke was successfully applied to several municipal and industrial wastewaters in Korea. The first large wastewater treatment plant for the combined effluents of 22 textile dyeing companies was constructed in Taegu and started operation in 1989. Two years earlier pilot plant runs were performed. The AB-process proved to be superior to any other activated sludge process. BOD was reduced from 1200 mg/l down to 24 mg/l. In the meantime in Korea several further AB-process treatment plants were constructed, the overall planning and constructing period being not longer than one year.

scholarly journals LCA of a Membrane Bioreactor Compared to Activated Sludge System for Municipal Wastewater Treatment

Membranes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 421
Author(s):  
Dimitra C. Banti ◽  
Michail Tsangas ◽  
Petros Samaras ◽  
Antonis Zorpas
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems are connected to several advantages compared to the conventional activated sludge (CAS) units. This work aims to the examination of the life cycle environmental impact of an MBR against a CAS unit when treating municipal wastewater with similar influent loading (BOD = 400 mg/L) and giving similar high-quality effluent (BOD < 5 mg/L). The MBR unit contained a denitrification, an aeration and a membrane tank, whereas the CAS unit included an equalization, a denitrification, a nitrification, a sedimentation, a mixing, a flocculation tank and a drum filter. Several impact categories factors were calculated by implementing the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, including acidification potential, eutrophication potential, global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential and photochemical ozone creation potential of the plants throughout their life cycle. Real data from two wastewater treatment plants were used. The research focused on two parameters which constitute the main differences between the two treatment plants: The excess sludge removal life cycle contribution—where GWPMBR = 0.50 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 and GWPCAS = 2.67 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 without sludge removal—and the wastewater treatment plant life cycle contribution—where GWPMBR = 0.002 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 and GWPCAS = 0.14 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 without land area contribution. Finally, in all the examined cases the environmental superiority of the MBR process was found.

scholarly journals Initiating Biodegradation of Polyvinylpyrrolidone in an Aqueous Aerobic Environment: Technical Note / Zainicjowanie Biodegradacji Poliwinylopirolidonu W Środowisku Wodno-Tlenowym: Notatki Techniczne

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marketa Julinova ◽  
Jan Kupec ◽  
Roman Slavik ◽  
Maria Vaskova
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Waste Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Aerobic Biodegradation ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment

Abstract A synthetic polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP - E 1201) primarily finds applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries due to its resistance and zero toxicity to organisms. After ingestion, the substance passes through the organism unchanged. Consequently, it enters the systems of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) without decomposing biologically during the waste treatment process, nor does it attach (through sorption) to particles of activated sludge to any significant extent, therefore, it passes through the system of a WWTP, which may cause the substance to accumulate in the natural environment. For this reason the paper investigates the potential to initiate aerobic biodegradation of PVP in the presence of activated sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The following agents were selected as the initiators of the biodegradation process - co-substrates: acrylamide, N-acethylphenylalanine and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, a substance with a similar structure to PVP monomer. The biodegradability of PVP in the presence of co-substrates was evaluated on the basis of biological oxygen demand (BOD) as determined via a MicroOxymax O2/CO2/CH4 respirometer. The total substrate concentration in the suspension equaled 400 mg·dm-3, with the ratio between PVP and the cosubstrate being 1:1, while the concentration of the dry activated sludge was 500 mg·dm-3. Even though there was no occurrence of a significant increase in the biodegradation of PVP alone in the presence of a co-substrate, acrylamide appeared to be the most effective type of co-substrate. Nevertheless, a recorded decrease in the slope of biodegradation curves over time may indicate that a process of primary decomposition was underway, which involves the production of metabolites that inhibit activated sludge microorganisms. The resulting products are not identified at this stage of experimentation.

scholarly journals Reliability of removal of selected pollutants in different technological solutions of household wastewater treatment plants

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Marzec
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Total Suspended Solids ◽  
Hybrid Reactor ◽  
Limit Values

AbstractThe reliability of removal of selected contaminants in three technological solutions of the household sewage treatment plants was analysed in this paper. The reliability of the sewage treatment plant with activated sludge, sprinkled biological deposit and hybrid reactor (activated sludge and immersed trickling filter) was analyzed. The analysis was performed using the Weibull method for basic indicators of impurities, BOD5, COD and total suspended solids. The technological reliability of the active sludge treatment plant was 70% for BOD5, 87% for COD and 66% for total suspended solids. In the sewage treatment plant with a biological deposit, the reliability values determined were: 30% (BOD5), 60% (COD) and 67% (total suspended solids). In a treatment plant with a hybrid reactor, 30% of the BOD5and COD limit values were exceeded, while 30% of the total suspended solids were exceeded. The reliability levels are significantly lower than the acceptable levels proposed in the literature, which means that the wastewater discharged from the analysed wastewater treatment plants often exceeds the limit values of indicators specified in currently valid in Poland Regulation of the Minister of Environment for object to 2000 population equivalent.

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