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Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff

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Published on: May 15, 2017

Enhanced nitrogen removal in trickling filter plants.

Y Dai¹, A Constantinou, P Griffiths

¹CH2M HILL, Level 1, Queensland, Australia. yu.dai@ch2m.com.au

Water Science and Technology : a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research

|May 17, 2013

Summary

This study shows how to enhance nitrogen removal in trickling filter sewage treatment plants. Optimizing operational parameters like sludge age and recycle flows significantly boosts denitrification, offering a cost-effective retrofit solution.

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Area of Science:

Environmental Engineering
Wastewater Treatment Technologies
Nitrogen Removal Processes

Background:

The Beaudesert Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), a biological trickling filter (TF) system, was not originally designed for nitrogen removal.
Despite this, the plant consistently achieved over 60% total nitrogen reduction and low effluent ammonium levels.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe an operational approach for enhancing nitrification and denitrification in TF STPs.
To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach through pilot trials.

Main Methods:

Implementing a NO3(-)-rich stream return from humus tanks to primary sedimentation tanks (PSTs).
Maintaining adequate sludge age and solids retention time (SRT) within PSTs.
Increasing recycle flows to further enhance denitrification.

Main Results:

The operational modifications led to a substantial degree of denitrification.
Pilot trials demonstrated significant improvements in nitrogen removal performance.
The approach maximized the asset life of existing infrastructure.

Conclusions:

The described operational strategy effectively enhances nitrogen removal in TF STPs.
This method presents a promising retrofit option for small and rural communities with existing TF systems.
Optimized operation can achieve high nitrification and denitrification without major infrastructure upgrades.