Engineered biocatalysts: An innovative solution for nutrient removal from wastewater

Carla Cherchi, Douglas Cote, Hector Castro, Harold Schmidt, Harold Aiken, Kellogg Schwab, Joseph G. Jacangelo

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

Abstract

A pilot program was developed at the Wright Smith, Jr. Wastewater Treatment Facility of the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System to independently verify the performance of an innovative biocatalyst-based technology for N and P removal from partially treated effluent to meet existing and anticipated stringent regulatory requirements. The results show that ammonia removal performance of 98% (±2%) can be achieved to meet effluent discharge criteria of 0.18 mg-N/L. Denitrification performance of the biocatalyst was tested at different hydraulic retention times and met the effluent water quality requirement of 3.0 mgNO3-N/L set to simulate future discharge criteria. Ortho-phosphate removal efficiency of higher than 90% were achieved with COD/P ratios of higher than 50, meeting the 0.33 mg-P/L target. This study verifies for the first time the performance of this “next-generation” technology in an independent and scientific manner.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationWEFTEC 2016 - 89th Water Environment Federation Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Pages897-904
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781510870475
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
Event89th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, WEFTEC 2016 - New Orleans, United States
Duration: Sep 24 2016Sep 28 2016

Publication series

NameWEFTEC 2016 - 89th Water Environment Federation Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference
Volume5

Conference

Conference89th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, WEFTEC 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Orleans
Period9/24/169/28/16

Keywords

  • Biocatalyst
  • MicroNiche engineering technology
  • Nitrogen removal
  • Phosphorus removal
  • Pilot study

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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

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