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Comparison of Performance and Operation of Side‐By‐Side Integrated Fixed‐Film and Conventional Activated Sludge Processes at Demonstration Scale
Author(s) -
Stricker AnneEmmanuelle,
Barrie Ashley,
Maas Carol L. A.,
Fernandes William,
Lishman Lori
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
water environment research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.356
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1554-7531
pISSN - 1061-4303
DOI - 10.2175/106143008x325692
Subject(s) - activated sludge , limiting , nitrification , train , environmental science , operational costs , environmental engineering , biomass (ecology) , waste management , engineering , sewage treatment , operations management , chemistry , nitrogen , ecology , geography , mechanical engineering , cartography , organic chemistry , biology
A full‐scale demonstration of an integrated fixed‐film activated sludge (IFFAS) process with floating carriers has been conducted in Ontario, Canada, since August 2003. In this study, data collected on‐site from July 2005 to December 2006 are analyzed and compared with the performance of a conventional activated sludge train operated in parallel. Both trains received similar loadings and maintained comparable mixed liquor concentrations; however, the IFFAS had 50% more biomass when the attached growth was considered.
In the winter, the conventional train operated at the critical solids retention time (SRT) and had fluctuating partial nitrification. The IFFAS nitrified more consistently and had a doubled average capacity. In the summer, the suspended SRT was less limiting, and the benefit of IFFAS for nitrification was marginal.
The lessons learned from the operational requirements and challenges of the IFFAS process (air flow, carrier management, and seasonal foaming) are discussed, and design recommendations are proposed for whole plant retrofit.