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ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION: JOINT (NSF-EPA) VERIFICATION STATEMENT AND REPORT FOR THE REDUCTION OF NITROGEN IN DOMESTIC WASTEWATER FROM INDIVIDUAL HOMES, F. R. MAHONEY & ASSOC., AMPHIDROME SYSTEM FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES - 02/05/WQPC-SWP
Citation:
NSF International, AND Scherger Associates. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION: JOINT (NSF-EPA) VERIFICATION STATEMENT AND REPORT FOR THE REDUCTION OF NITROGEN IN DOMESTIC WASTEWATER FROM INDIVIDUAL HOMES, F. R. MAHONEY & ASSOC., AMPHIDROME SYSTEM FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES - 02/05/WQPC-SWP. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, 600/R-03/132.
Description:
Verification testing of the F.R. Mahoney Amphidrome System was conducted over a twelve month period at the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC) located at the Otis Air National Guard Base in Borne, MA. Sanitary Sewerage from the base residential housing was used for the verification testing. An eight-week startup period preceded the testing to provide time for the development of an acclimated biological growth in the system. The verification testing included monthly sampling of the influent and effluent wastewater, and five test sequences designed to test the unit's response to different load conditions and power failure. The Amphidrome System proved capable of removing nitrogen from the wastewater. The influent total nitrogen concentration as measured by TKN averaged 37 mg/l, while effluent concentrations measured by TKN plus nitrite/nitrate averaged 15 mg/l. The system operating conditions were controlled by programmable logic controller (PLC), which were adjusted four times during the first two months of the verification test, and again after six months of operation. In general, the mechanical equipment, pumps, level switches, alarms, etc., operated properly during the test with the exception of a discharge pump failure after nine months and the return pump falling off its pedestal causing a high power usage until corrected. The Amphidrome System is sophisticated and requires a trained operator to monitor the system and to ensure that pump cycle times, aeration periods and backwash settings are set to site specific conditions.