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Innovative biological water treatment for the removal of elevated ammonia
Author(s) -
Lytle Darren A.,
White Colin,
Williams Daniel,
Koch Lauren,
Nauman Emily
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.5942/jawwa.2013.105.0109
Subject(s) - rotating biological contactor , contactor , aeration , ammonia , environmental science , water treatment , water quality , nitrate , chemistry , pulp and paper industry , filter (signal processing) , waste management , environmental engineering , environmental chemistry , sewage treatment , engineering , ecology , power (physics) , physics , electrical engineering , quantum mechanics , biology , organic chemistry
The objective of this work was to demonstrate the effectiveness of an innovative and simple biological water treatment approach for removing 3.3 mg nitrogen (N) per litre ammonia and iron from water using a pilot study conducted at a utility in Iowa. Biological water treatment can be an effective approach to addressing low ammonia levels; however, providing adequate oxygen to address source water ammonia levels greater than 1.5 mg/L N is challenging. The treatment consisted of a biological “contactor” combined with aeration, followed in series with a dual granular media filter. Orthophosphate was necessary to satisfy biological nutrient requirements, and maintaining near‐saturated dissolved oxygen levels throughout the contactor was important. The pilot project demonstrated that a contactor and filter operated at loading rates of 2.2 gpm/sq ft and 2.0 gpm/sq ft, respectively, met desired finished water quality objectives. The contactor alone was able to completely biologically oxidize all of the ammonia to nitrate. Contactor maintenance was minimal.