Grantee Research Project Results
When a Detour Becomes a Shortcut: Going Full-scale with Partial Denitrification/Anammox as an Alternative Strategy for Mainstream Deammonification and Incorporating Biological Phosphorus Removal
EPA Grant Number: R840086Title: When a Detour Becomes a Shortcut: Going Full-scale with Partial Denitrification/Anammox as an Alternative Strategy for Mainstream Deammonification and Incorporating Biological Phosphorus Removal
Investigators: Fevig, Stephanie , Chandran, Kartik , De Clippeleir, Haydee , Klaus, Stephanie , Riffat, Rumana , Wells, George
Current Investigators: Hacker, Miriam , Chandran, Kartik , Klaus, Stephanie , Riffat, Rumana , Wells, George
Institution: Water Research Foundation (VA) , Columbia University , District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) , Hampton Roads Sanitation Department , George Washington University , Northwestern University
Current Institution: Water Research Foundation (VA) , George Washington University , Northwestern University , District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) , Columbia University , Hampton Roads Sanitation Department
EPA Project Officer: Ludwig-Monty, Sarah
Project Period: September 1, 2020 through April 22, 2025
Project Amount: $999,670
RFA: Approaches to Reduce Nutrient Loadings for Harmful Algal Blooms Management (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Harmful Algal Blooms , Clean Water , Water Quality , Water
Description:
Nutrient management and removal technologies currently in use at point sources, such as wastewater treatment plants, are mainly biological (for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal) or a combination of biological and chemical (for P removal) processes that have been used since the early 1970s. In recent years, research has been focused on alternative N removal strategies that can reduce capital, chemical, and energy costs. Mainstream shortcut N removal and mainstream deammonification processes represent a paradigm shift for the industry, offering the opportunity for sustainable N removal, energy neutral or even energy positive facilities and dramatic reductions in treatment costs, which has widespread environmental benefits in reducing the formation of HABs. But full-scale implementation has met with limited success.
Objective:
The specific objective of this project is to pave the way for full-scale applications of shortcut N removal processes, by increasing nitrite availability for anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria (anammox) in mainstream systems. Shortcut N removal systems developed based on the partial denitrification (PdN) route rather than the NOB (nitrite oxidizing bacteria) out-selection route, will likely provide more reliable nitrite production and could accelerate full-scale implementation of shortcut N technologies.
Partial denitrification/anammox (PdNA) technologies span a range of readiness levels. The attached growth polishing PdNA concepts that will be explored further in this project have already been partially validated in pilot testing and full-scale treatment plants. HRSD transitioned their York River Treatment Plant post-dentification filters to PdNA almost two years ago, the first real full-scale example of mainstream anammox oxidizing a relevant amount of the influent ammonia load. Based on the successful outcome of piloting PdNA in a polishing moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) process, the pending full-scale nutrient upgrade for the HRSD James River plant will include this technology. This project will address remaining unknowns with designing and operating polishing PdNA processes.
Integrated PdNA applications, whereby anammox are incorporated into the main plant BNR process pre- or post-anoxic zones, have been validated conceptually in laboratory and pilot studies at DC Water and Columbia University, and this project will move these concepts rapidly to full-scale application. This project will also evaluate the integration of biological P removal with PdNA shortcut N removal.
Approach:
A research team led by WRF, including two major utilities and researchers from three universities, will be involved in investigating the various objectives outlined in the project.
Expected Results:
With the opportunity for innovative full-scale process deployment over the timeframe of this three year project, an important component of the project will be outreach and technology transfer to wastewater facilities in HAB hotspots and other regions nationally. The project includes a Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) engaging technical representatives from 8 leading utilities in HAB hotspot regions including the Great Lakes, Midwest, and Florida. An important outcome of this approach will be the extension of biological process simulation models to a wide range of PdNA applications to allow sustainable N removal and dramatic reductions in treatment costs, which will have widespread environmental benefits in reducing the formation of HABs
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 7 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 5 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
treatment technologies, nutrient control, partial denitrification anammoxProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.