Biological wastewater treatment has been a hot bed of innovation in the past ten years. Much of the innovation is being driven by new permits, a desire to recycle water, lowering energy use, and making systems more efficient. Below are some of the interesting projects that I have been fortunate to see in application.
Molecular Testing
Since I started working with wastewater molecular testing about seven years ago, it has developed from a curious novelty to a powerful operational control tool. Molecular or DNA testing can see slight changes in important populations including AOB/NOB, PAO/GAO, Filaments, Nocardia, Methanogens, and SRB. An example with AOB/NOB is a warning of nitrifier stress before effluent ammonia starts to increase. This technology continues to develop and will become even more useful as our knowledge increases.
Nanobubble & Microbubble Aeration
Maintaining sufficient D.O. in aerobic treatment systems is always a challenge and expensive. The development of new extremely efficient systems for oxygen transfer coupled with resistance to fouling is going to lead to improved aerobic systems. In field testing, I have been amazed with how much D.O. can be maintained and transferred while using less power than standard diffuser systems.
Granular Sludge
Current systems rely on suspended floc or biofilms for treatment. First seen in anaerobic digesters, granular microbial aggregates can also develop in aerobic treatment systems. Key benefits are:
Molecular Testing
Since I started working with wastewater molecular testing about seven years ago, it has developed from a curious novelty to a powerful operational control tool. Molecular or DNA testing can see slight changes in important populations including AOB/NOB, PAO/GAO, Filaments, Nocardia, Methanogens, and SRB. An example with AOB/NOB is a warning of nitrifier stress before effluent ammonia starts to increase. This technology continues to develop and will become even more useful as our knowledge increases.
Nanobubble & Microbubble Aeration
Maintaining sufficient D.O. in aerobic treatment systems is always a challenge and expensive. The development of new extremely efficient systems for oxygen transfer coupled with resistance to fouling is going to lead to improved aerobic systems. In field testing, I have been amazed with how much D.O. can be maintained and transferred while using less power than standard diffuser systems.
Granular Sludge
Current systems rely on suspended floc or biofilms for treatment. First seen in anaerobic digesters, granular microbial aggregates can also develop in aerobic treatment systems. Key benefits are:
- Compact footprint as you maintain much higher levels of biomass in the system.
- Having Aerobic, Anoxic, and Anaerobic zones within the granule - allowing for simultaneous nitrification/denitrification in one treatment zone.
- Fast settling rates reduce likelihood of hydraulic washout.
- Appears to be adaptable to existing systems.
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