Project #4973

Guidelines for Optimizing Nutrient Removal Plant Performance

$464,681
Completed
Principal Investigator
J.B.
Neethling
Research Manager
Ms. Stephanie Fevig, PE
Contractor
HDR Engineering, Inc.
Nutrients
Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR)
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Treatment

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

Public Plus

Optimize Nutrient Removal WRRF Operations

Webcast
This webcast will cover optimization strategies for nitrogen and phosphorus removal in nitrifying, conventional nutrient removal, and tertiary nutrient removal processes. Presenters will discuss ammonia, nitrogen, chemical, and biological phosphorus...
Public Plus

Nutrient Reduction Approaches for Small Systems

Webcast
This webcast will explain the nutrient regulatory landscape for small systems ( less than 10,000 people or 1 mgd) and will cover tertiary treatment, stand-alone, pre-engineered, and natural systems. Some...
Public Plus

Optimizing Nutrient Removal WRRFs

Webcast
This webcast covered optimization strategies for nitrogen and phosphorus removal in nitrifying, conventional nutrient removal, and tertiary nutrient removal processes. Presenters discussed ammonia, nitrogen, chemical, and biological phosphorus removal to...
Public Plus

Strategies to Reduce O&M Cost in Nutrient Removal WRRFS

Webcast
The presenters discussed strategies to reduce O&M costs at nutrient removal facilities,* including metrics for energy and chemical usage. They also covered strategies to reduce energy and chemical usage, e.g...
Public Plus

Sidestream Management to Optimize WRRF Nutrient Removal

Webcast
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...
Public Plus

Emerging Technologies for Nutrient Optimization

Webcast
This webcast discussed emerging technologies for nutrient optimization of existing facilities, including emerging process developments, equipment, treatment and regulatory strategies, and overall system nutrient control approaches. The webcast will focus...
Public Plus

Nutrient Reduction from Secondary BOD Removal WRRFs

Webcast
This presentation covered strategies to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus discharged from an existing secondary biological oxygen demand-only plant. The discussions focused on process modifications, limited change within the basins (not...