Guidelines for Optimizing Nutrient Removal Plant Performance
Abstract
Water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) across the United States are facing demands to remove nutrients. Existing nutrient removal and secondary WRRFs alike are challenged to optimize their WRRFs to reduce nutrients discharged into receiving water bodies. This project developed a comprehensive guidance tool that WRRF staff and others can use for optimizing WRRFs to meet one or more fundamental objectives: (1) reduce nutrient discharge levels, (2) increase reliability, and (3) reduce costs. The guidance tool provides a stepwise progression starting with the current treatment processes and advancing to a list of nutrient removal optimization strategies. The comprehensive guidance documents presented in the report have also been summarized into a standalone, user-friendly web tool. In addition to these resources, the research team hosted a 13-part webcast series covering all facets of nutrient management. The 12/7/23 webcast is available for replay and the others are available as slides only. Results from the webcast audience polls are incorporated into the report and available as a project paper. Published in 2023.
Project Resources:
- Report and Executive Summary
- Path to Nutrient Optimization Web Tool
- 13 Webcasts (1 available for replay & 12 available as slides)
- Project Paper – Appendix E: Webinar Series Reports
Resources
Optimize Nutrient Removal WRRF Operations
Nutrient Reduction Approaches for Small Systems
Optimizing Nutrient Removal WRRFs
Strategies to Reduce O&M Cost in Nutrient Removal WRRFS
Instrumentation and Control for Nutrient Optimization – Part 2: Controls
Internal recycles, such as reject water and sidestreams from solids processing WRRFs can impact nutrient removal efficiency as well as create nuisance conditions. Managing these recycles can improve nutrient removal...
