A logistic model for the remediation of filamentous bulking in a biological nutrient removal wastewater treatment plant

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nashia Deepnarain ◽  
Sheena Kumari ◽  
Jordache Ramjith ◽  
Feroz Mahomed Swalaha ◽  
Valter Tandoi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
In Situ Hybridisation ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Filamentous Bacteria ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Filamentous Bulking

Biological nutrient removal (BNR) systems across the globe frequently experience bulking and foaming episodes, which present operational challenges such as poor sludge settling due to excessive filamentous bacteria. A full-scale BNR plant treating primarily domestic wastewater was monitored over a period of 1 year to investigate filamentous bacterial growth response under various plant operating parameters. Identification of filamentous bacteria by conventional microscopy and fluorescent in situ hybridisation indicated the dominance of Eikelboom Type021N, Thiothrix spp., Eikelboom Type 1851 and Eikelboom Type 0092. A cumulative logit model (CLM) was applied to elucidate significant relationships between the filamentous bacteria and plant operational parameters. The model could predict the potential abundance of dominant filamentous bacteria in relation to wastewater treatment plant operational parameters. Data obtained from the model corroborated with previous findings on the dominance of most filaments identified, except for Type 0092, which exhibited some unique traits. With further validation, the model could be successfully applied for identifying specific parameters which could contribute towards filamentous bulking, thus, providing a useful tool for regulating specific filamentous growth in full-scale wastewater treatment plants.

scholarly journals Niche Differentiation among Three Closely RelatedCompetibacteraceaeClades at a Full-Scale Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Plant and Putative Linkages to Process Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica R. Brand ◽  
Laurel D. Crosby ◽  
Craig S. Criddle
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Pure Oxygen ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Metabolic Potential ◽  
Operational Conditions

ABSTRACTMultiple clades within a microbial taxon often coexist within natural and engineered environments. Because closely related clades have similar metabolic potential, it is unclear how diversity is sustained and what factors drive niche differentiation. In this study, we retrieved three near-complete Competibacter lineage genomes from activated sludge metagenomes at a full-scale pure oxygen activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. The three genomes represent unique taxa within theCompetibacteraceae. A comparison of the genomes revealed differences in capacity for exopolysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis, glucose fermentation to lactate, and motility. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), we monitored these clades over a 2-year period. The clade possessing genes for motility and lacking genes for EPS biosynthesis (CPB_P15) was dominant during periods of suspended solids in the effluent. Further analysis of operational parameters indicate that the dominance of the CPB_P15 clade is associated with low-return activated sludge recycle rates and low wasting rates, conditions that maintain relatively high levels of biomass within the system.IMPORTANCEMembers of the Competibacter lineage are relevant in biotechnology as glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs). Here, we document the presence of threeCompetibacteraceaeclades in a full-scale activated sludge wastewater treatment plant and their linkage to specific operational conditions. We find evidence for niche differentiation among the three clades with temporal variability in clade dominance that correlates with operational changes at the treatment plant. Specifically, we observe episodic dominance of a likely motile clade during periods of elevated effluent turbidity, as well as episodic dominance of closely related nonmotile clades that likely enhance floc formation during periods of low effluent turbidity.

Alternatives for upgrading the Wilderness Wastewater Treatment Plant for biological nutrient removal

2004 ◽  
Vol 48 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 453-462
Author(s):  
E.U. Cokgor ◽  
C.W. Randall
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Oxidation Ditch ◽  
Concentric Ring ◽  
Annual Average ◽  
Flow Capacity ◽  
Ring Oxidation

The Wilderness Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located in Orange County, Virginia is a four concentric ring oxidation ditch activated sludge system with a rated capacity of 1,935 m3/day. The three outer rings are used for wastewater treatment and the inner ring is used as an aerobic digester. The flow capacity has been increased from 1,935 to 3,760 m3/d, however, the desired design capacity has since been increased to 3,870 m3/d, and there are plans to eventually expand to approximately 4,840 m3/d with improved nitrogen removal. The design goal for the planned upgrade is to discharge an effluent that contains less than 10 mg/l total nitrogen (TN) at all times, with an annual average of 8 mg/l or less. In this study, the pre-upgrade performance of the Wilderness Wastewater Treatment Plant was evaluated and several modifications were recommended for the incorporation of biological nutrient removal (BNR).

Full-scale control of Mycolata foam by FEX-120 addition

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (10) ◽  
pp. 2443-2450 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Kragelund ◽  
B. Nilsson ◽  
K. Eskilsson ◽  
A. M. Bøgh ◽  
P. H. Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
No Reduction ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Filamentous Bacteria ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Scale Control

Foaming incidents in activated sludge treatment plants are a worldwide problem and occur on a regular basis in both municipal and industrial activated sludge treatment plants. Foaming is most often caused by excessive growth of filamentous bacteria, especially the gram-positive ones affiliated within the Actinobacteria, e.g. the branched Mycolata or CandidatusMicrothrix parvicella. Previous studies have shown that populations of Microthrix can be controlled by addition of certain polyaluminium compounds, but until now no effective chemicals have been identified to control other important foam formers such as the Mycolata. A new chemical (FilamentEx, FEX-120) was tested in full-scale in a Swedish wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with immense foaming problems. In total, three different dosing events were carried out for more than 1 year. After only 8–17 weeks in each period, all foam had disappeared, and dosing of FEX-120 was stopped. Another 11 full-scale WWTPs in different countries were treated with FEX-120 because of severe Mycolata foaming on process tanks. In nine out of 11 plants, where the causative organisms were Gordonia or Skermania, a significant reduction of foam up to 100% was observed after treatment for approx. 10 weeks. In two WWTPs with unknown Mycolata organisms, no reduction was observed.

scholarly journals Development and optimization of remedial measures to control filamentous bacteria in a full-scale biological nutrient removal plant

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Nashia Deepnarain
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Filamentous Growth ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Biological Nutrient Removal ◽  
Ozone Treatment ◽  
Remedial Measures ◽  
Filamentous Bacteria ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Filamentous Bulking ◽  
The Individual

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) frequently experience bulking and foaming episodes, which present operational challenges by affecting sludge settling due to the excessive proliferation of filamentous bacteria. Various control strategies have been implemented over the years to minimize filamentous growth, however, filamentous bulking still remains an unresolved problem in many WWTPs worldwide. The current study focused on developing and optimizing remedial measures viz., specific and non-specific methods to reduce problematic filamentous bacteria in a full-scale WWTP. Specific methods demonstrated the influence of plant operational parameters viz. chemical oxygen demand, influent N-NH4+, food to microorganism ratio, dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH on the abundance of filamentous bacteria. A cumulative logit model was used to determine the significant relationships between the individual filamentous bacteria at present and the prevailing plant operational parameters. Using the above statistical approach, significant observations and predictions were made with respect to the individual filamentous growth under certain operational parameters. With further validation, this model could be successfully applied to other full-scale WWTPs identifying specific parameters that could contribute to filamentous bulking, thus providing a useful guide for regulating specific filamentous growth. Non-specific control methods such as chlorine, ultraviolet irradiation and ozone treatment were investigated on filamentous bacteria using a live/dead staining technique. To achieve at least 50% reduction of filamentous bacteria, a chlorine dose of 10 mg Cl2/L was required, all filaments were killed at a dose of 22 mg Cl2/L. In addition, an effective UV and ozone dose of 4418.91 μw seconds/cm2 and ±20 mg O3/L respectively, was required to kill 50% of the filamentous bacterial population. Among the three non-specific methods, ozone treatment seemed to be an effective method in controlling the filamentous population with a low negative impact to the surrounding environment. This study serves as a useful guide on the problems and control of filamentous bulking in activated sludge plants.

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