Optimising Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Plant Efficiency
Project Title: Optimising Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Plant Efficiency
Supervisor: Dr. Brian McCann
Student: Glenn Gordon
Funding Body: Self Funded
Description of the Project
In recent times, the optimisation of activated sludge wastewater treatment plants (AS WwTPs) has become the focus of many utility providers internationally. WwTP optimisation has the potential to reduce public expenditure through tapping the full performance potential of the facility. Not only is optimisation likely to reduce the economic burden on public funds, it is also likely to result in significant improvements to the environment as a direct consequence of improved treatment plant performance.
Phase 1 of this project will investigate the effect of specific AS WwTP process control variables on effluent quality, plant rating and treatment efficiency. A questionnaire will assess the current level of optimisation at Irish plants.
Phase 2 involves the selection of suitable AS WwTPs (municipal and industrial) on which to implement a comprehensive optimisation programme using sampling and analysis equipment as well as computer software.
In Phase 3, the incentives for local authorities/industry to adopt optimisation practices will be identified through analysis of historic and measured operational data as well as from observations made on site. A seminar for wastewater professionals will highlight the benefits of AS WwTP optimisation. Previous studies indicate that optimisation techniques result in reduced treatment costs and energy consumption, increased plant rating, reduction in capital expenditure for plant upgrades, manufacturing facility throughput increase, improved effluent quality, and compliance with discharge standards. The optimisation programme applied in this project will provide comprehensive data to verify these findings.
The outcome of this optimisation programme should allow local authorities/industry to reduce or even avoid capital expenditure on upgrading/expanding the existing plant infrastructure and potentially reduce current operating costs, and should demonstrate the performance potential and capacity capability of the facilities.
Conferences Attended
The Institution of Engineers of Ireland CPD Training Course entitled “Optimising Wastewater Treatment Plant Efficiency”, November 2009 and September 2010.