Cost effective and advanced phosphorus removal in membrane bioreactors for a decentralised wastewater technology

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 133-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Gnirss ◽  
B. Lesjean ◽  
C. Adam ◽  
H. Buisson
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Membrane Filtration ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Membrane Bioreactors ◽  
P Adsorption ◽  
Bench Scale ◽  
Co Precipitation ◽  
Biological Phosphorus ◽  
P Removal

Future stringent phosphorus regulations (down to 50 mg/L in some cases) together with the availability of more cost effective and/or innovative membrane processes, are the bases for this project. In contrast to conventional activated sludge plants, process parameters are not optimised and especially enhanced biological phosphorus (Bio-P) removal in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are not proven yet. Current practice of P-removal in MBRs is the addition of coagulants in a co-precipitation mode. Enhanced biological phosphorus removal, when adapted to MBR technology, might be a cost-effective process. For very stringent effluent criteria additional P-adsorption on activated clay after membrane filtration can be also an interesting solution. The objective of this research project is to identify and test various phosphorus removal processes or process combinations, including MBR technologies. This should enable us to establish efficient and cost effective P-removal strategies for upgrading small sewage treatment units (up to 10,000 PE), as needed in some decentralised areas of Berlin. In particular, enhanced Bio-P removal technology was developed and optimised in MBR. Combinations of co-precipitation and post-adsorption will be tested when low P-values down to 50 mg/L are required in the effluent. One MBR bench-scale plant of 200 to 250 L and two MBR pilot plants of 1 to 3 m3 each were operated in parallel to a conventional wastewater treatment plant (Ruhleben WWTP, Berlin, Germany). The MBR bench-scale and pilot plants were operated under sludge ages of respectively 15 and 25 days. In both cases, Bio-P was possible, and phosphorus effluent concentration of about 0.1 mg/L could be achieved. A similar effluent quality was observed with the conventional WWTP. Investigations with lab columns indicated that P-adsorption could lead to concentrations down to 50 mg/L and no particle accumulation occurred in the filter media. The three tested materials exhibited great differences in break-through curves. Granulated ferric hydroxyde (GEH®) showed higher capacity than activated alumina and FerroSorpPlus.

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal in membrane bioreactors

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 281-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Adam ◽  
R. Gnirss ◽  
B. Lesjean ◽  
H. Buisson ◽  
M. Kraume
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
P Uptake ◽  
Membrane Bioreactors ◽  
Process Conditions ◽  
Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Bench Scale ◽  
Plant P Uptake ◽  
Biological Phosphorus ◽  
P Removal

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (Bio-P) in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) promises several advantages but was never attempted as not compatible with high sludge ages. This article includes description and results of bench-scale investigations on Bio-P removal in an MBR. An MBR bench-scale plant (210 L) was operated in parallel to a conventional WWTP under comparable process conditions. The results show that Bio-P removal is possible in MBR. The effluent qualities of the plants were comparable. The effluent P-concentration was always lower than 0.2 mg PT/L. In the MBR bench-scale plant P-uptake occurred mainly in the anoxic zone. Investigations with P-spiking showed higher Bio-P potential as P-removal increased up to 20-25 mg/L while P/TS rose up to >6%.

Pilot Scale Studies on Enhanced Phosphorus Removal in a Single-Stage Activated Sludge Treatment Plant

1985 ◽  
Vol 17 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 309-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Maier ◽  
P. Kainrath ◽  
Kh Krauth ◽  
R. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Single Stage ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Biological Phosphorus ◽  
P Removal

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal from domestic sewage was investigated in a single-stage activated sludge treatment plant with pre-denitrification operated in a continuous process. In 10 different experimental periods the influence of varying composition of the influent, varying systems of the pilot scale unit (with and without anaerobic basin), varying retention times in the different basins and varying sludge loads were investigated. Results of the experiments can be summarized as follows: the nutrient situation and especially the P/BOD5 and N/BOD5 ratios, retention time in the final clarifier, and organic sludge load plus the desired degree of nitrification have essential influence on the process and P removal efficiency. The conclusions for the pilot scale process are discussed.

Optimization of a nutrient-removing wastewater treatment plant using on-line monitors

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 265-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Sørensen
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Control System ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Biosorption Process ◽  
On Line ◽  
Biological Phosphorus ◽  
P Removal

Marselisborg WWTP is designed for 220,000 population equivalent as an AB process i.e. biosorption followed by a BIO-DENITRO plant. The plant was designed to remove nitrate in summer only. It was designed to remove phosphorus by pre-precipitation in the biosorption process and by simultaneous precipitation in the biological tanks. Introduction of an on-line control system for the nitrogen removal made it possible to remove nitrate all year to effluent values 1-3 mg N/l below the effluent standard of 8 mg N/l. The control system automatically introduced about 50% longer denitrification time in the tanks. During the last 4 years, the amount of filtered COD has through optimization increased from 65% to above 80% in relation to total COD. This in combination with the longer time without aeration in the biological tanks has made it possible to optimize biological phosphorus removal at the plant. It is possible to remove about 400 kg P/d biological out of about 500 kg P/d. Strategies to run the biological P removal simultaneously with the nitrogen removal in the same biological tanks has been tested. It seems possible to control the biological phosphorus removal by modifying the on-line control system for the nitrogen removal.

Woven Fabric Bioreactor (WFBR) as the Filter Material for Wastewater Treatment

2011 ◽  
Vol 356-360 ◽  
pp. 1613-1617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Yang ◽  
Zhen Hong Liu ◽  
Xia Sheng
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Membrane Filtration ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Filter Material ◽  
Membrane Bioreactors ◽  
Woven Fabric ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Solids Retention ◽  
Solid Liquid

Conventional and modified membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are effective increasingly used in small sized wastewater treatment plant. However, their widespread applications are hindered by their elevated energy consumption and the high costs of investment for the membrane modules. In this study, we investigated a modified an improved MBR system that utilized a cost effective woven fabric instead of nonwoven as the filter material in MBR modules. The woven fabric bioreactor (WFBR) system was operated in a continuous mode at HRT from 33 to 12h. Under the operational conditions of BOD loading rates from 0.12 to 0.28 kg BOD/kg MLSS /d, the WFBR system was able to reduce up 93.57% COD. The 38μm woven fabric performed well in solid-liquid separator, with an average suspended solids retention of 99.47% at MLSS of 4710~9951 mg/L. The WFBR system eliminated suction pumping by using a gravity head in the membrane filtration of the effluent over the entire operational period of 60 d.

Full Scale Investigations on Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal – P-Release in the Anaerobic Reactor

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 153-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wedi ◽  
P. A. Wilderer
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Process Conditions ◽  
Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Anaerobic Reactor ◽  
P Release ◽  
Acinetobacter Sp ◽  
Biological Phosphorus ◽  
P Removal

Most of the fundamental processes responsible for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) were obtained through laboratory tests under defined conditions with pure or enriched cultures. Acinetobacter sp. was identified as the most important group of bacteria responsible for bio-P removal. Full scale data showed, however, that laboratory results do not match full scale results well enough. There is a lack of data on the effects of sub-optimal process conditions such as inadequate availability of volatile fatty acids (VFA), high nitrate recycle, storm water inflow or low temperatures. In this paper the results of full scale experiments on P-release are presented and compared with theoretical values. Measurements at a full scale Phoredox-system showed a surprisingly low P-release in the anaerobic reactor. Only 4 to 10% of the phosphorus in the activated sludge was released in the bulk liquid. With laboratory batch-tests, a maximum of 20% of the P in the sludge could be released. It is assumed that under the prevailing process conditions either the fraction of Acinetobacter sp. was very small, or bacteria other than Acinetobacter sp. were responsible for the P-removal, or most of the phosphorus was bound chemically but mediated by biological processes.

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal process implemented in membrane bioreactors to improve phosphorous recovery and recycling

2003 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Lesjean ◽  
R. Gnirss ◽  
C. Adam ◽  
M. Kraume ◽  
F. Luck
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
P Limitation ◽  
Batch Tests ◽  
P Content ◽  
On Line ◽  
Biological Phosphorus ◽  
P Removal

The enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process was adapted to membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology. One bench-scale plant (BSP, 200-250 L) and two pilot plants (PPs, 1,000-3,000 L each) were operated under several configurations, including pre-denitrification and post-denitrification without addition of carbon source, and two solid retention times (SRT) of 15 and 26 d. The trials showed that efficient Bio-P removal can be achieved with MBR systems, in both pre- and post-denitrification configurations. EBPR dynamics could be clearly demonstrated through batch-tests, on-line measurements, profile analyses, P-spiking trials, and mass balances. High P-removal performances were achieved even with high SRT of 26 d, as around 9 mgP/L could be reliably removed. After stabilisation, the sludge exhibited phosphorus contents of around 2.4%TS. When spiked with phosphorus (no P-limitation), P-content could increase up to 6%TS. The sludge is therefore well suited to agricultural reuse with important fertilising values. Theoretical calculations showed that increased sludge age should result in a greater P-content. This could not be clearly demonstrated by the trials. This effect should be all the more significant as the influent is low in suspended solids.

Combined denitrification and excess biological phosphorus removal in discontinuous operated biofilm systems

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 193-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Brandt ◽  
C. Sieker ◽  
W. Hegemann
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
P Uptake ◽  
Organic Substrate ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
P Release ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Immobilized Biomass ◽  
Biological Phosphorus ◽  
P Removal

The sorption-denitrification-P-removal (S-DN-P) process combines biological excess P-removal (BEPR) and denitrification using immobilized biomass. The accumulation of denitrifying polyP organisms is achieved by sequencing anaerobic/anoxic conditions. The immobilized biomass is in alternating contact with primary treated wastewater (anaerobic sorption-phase) and nitrified wastewater (denitrification phase). In the sorption phase, P-release takes place and readily biodegradable organic substrate, e.g. volatile fatty acid, is taken up and stored by polyP accumulating organisms (PAO). In addition to this, other organic matter is physically/chemically adsorbed in the biofilm structures. In the denitrification phase, the biomass denitrifies the stored and adsorbed organic substrate and, at the same time, P-uptake and polyP formation occurs. This paper presents results of investigations at laboratory and half-technical scale. At laboratory scale different types of carriers were tested regarding their suitability for the S-DN-P-process. In half-technical scale a biofilter and a moving bed reactor (MBR) were tested. In the biofilter a stable removal of nitrate and phosphate was achieved. However, it was not possible to achieve similar results in the MBR process. Especially the release and uptake of phosphate showed no clear tendency although the uptake of acetate was good. Reasons for this could be the accumulation of glycogen accumulating organisms which impair the metabolism of PAO.

Effect of continuous addition of an organic substrate to the anoxic phase on biological phosphorus removal

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Meinhold ◽  
H. Pedersen ◽  
E. Arnold ◽  
S. Isaacs ◽  
M. Henze
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Phosphate Uptake ◽  
P Uptake ◽  
Organic Substrate ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
P Release ◽  
Influence Of Substrate ◽  
Biological Phosphorus ◽  
P Removal

The continuous introduction of a biological phosphorus removal (BPR) promoting organic substrate to the denitrifying reactor of a BPR process is examined through a series of batch experiments using acetate as model organic substrate. Several observations are made regarding the influence of substrate availability on PHA storage/utilization and phosphate uptake/release. Under anoxic conditions PHB is utilized and phosphate is taken up, indicating that at least a fraction of the PAO can denitrify. The rates of anoxic P-uptake, PHB utilization and denitrification are found to increase with increasing initial PHB level. At low acetate addition rates the P-uptake and PHB utilization rates are reduced compared to when no acetate is available. At higher acetate addition rates a net P-release occurs and PHB is accumulated. For certain intermediate acetate addition rates the PHB level can increase while a net P-release occurs. Whether the introduction of BPR promoting organic substrates to the denitrifying reactor is detrimental to overall P-removal appears to be dependent on the interaction between aerobic P-uptake, which is a function of PHB level, and the aerobic residence time.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document