Using biosolids as a carbon source for denitrification

Jared M. Alder, Prathap Parameswaran, Bruce E. Rittmann

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

As wastewater treatment plants are being modified and upgraded to make biological nutrient removal more effective, there is often a need for supplemental carbon to assist in the biological reaction. Until recently a majority of treatment plant designs have been utilizing methanol as an external carbon source to drive denitrificaiton. New technology processes, exploit the opportunity to use carbon that is readily available in biosolids as an internal carbon source to drive denitrificaiton. This investigation focuses on using OpenCEL treated thickened waste activated sludge (TWAS) a method of internally providing a carbon source for denitrification. This study reports both on lab and full-scale studies using OpenCEL treated TWAS. When FP-treated TWAS was added in an ideal carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, nitrate levels remained at baseline values at the same time reducing methanol consumption by 60%. Thus, the full-scale results document that FP-treated solids could replace an exogenous organic electron donor.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationWEFTEC 2012 - 85th Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Pages3779-3798
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9781510870437
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2012
Event85th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, WEFTEC 2012 - New Orleans, United States
Duration: Sep 29 2012Oct 3 2012

Publication series

NameWEFTEC 2012 - 85th Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference
Volume6

Conference

Conference85th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, WEFTEC 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Orleans
Period9/29/1210/3/12

Keywords

  • Cell lysis
  • Denitrification
  • Electroporation
  • Focused Pulse (FP)
  • Internal carbon source
  • Pre-treatmtent
  • Pulsed Electric Field (PEF)
  • Waste activated sludge

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecological Modeling
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Pollution
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Water Science and Technology

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