Grantee Research Project Results
2024 Progress Report: 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: Hacker, Miriam , Chandran, Kartik , Klaus, Stephanie , Riffat, Rumana , Wells, George
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 Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2023 through August 31,2024
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
Objective:
The goal of this project is to develop proof of principle for different partial denitrification/anammox (PdNA) configurations, with the integration of biological phosphorus (bio-P) and move PdNA into full-scale application. PdNA with bio-P has the potential to achieve low nutrient effluent concentrations with reductions in energy, chemicals, and treatment footprint. Ultimately, implementation of this process can provide significant cost savings to utilities while reducing nutrient discharges to the watershed and mitigating the formation of harmful algal blooms (HABs). There are four key objectives of this research, each supported by a series of tasks with task leads and supporting team members:
- Objective 1: Develop new PdNA concepts using denitrifying phosphate accumulating organisms (dPAO)
- Objective 2: Develop proof of principle for different PdNA configurations
- Objective 3: Move PdNA into full-scale application
- Objective 4: Conduct outreach and technology transfer, in particular to utilities in regions with HABs
Progress Summary:
At the end of this reporting period, the project is approximately 99% complete. In the prior year (2023), two of the co-PIs had completed their work (HRSD and GWU) and a no-cost extension was requested for the remaining scope to be completed by the other two co-PIs (CU and NU). This work was completed, and the project team is in the process of updating the Blueprint Guidance Document with these findings.
Objective 1: Develop new PdNA Concepts Using Denitrifying PAO
A second lab scale configuration was tested to evaluate dPAO-PdNA feasibility in a two stage system. The goal of this phase of testing was to understand the impact of segregating anammox carriers to only the anoxic react phase (second stage of experimental system), while cycling suspended growth (enriched with dPAOs) between the anaerobic (first stage) and anoxic (second stage) react phases.
Objective 2: Develop Proof of Principle for Different PdNA Configurations Work was completed in Y3 (2022-2023).
Mainstream Deammonification with Biological Phosphorus Removal (WRF 5095) EPA Annual Report, September 2023 – August 2024
Objective 3: Move PdNA into Full-Scale Applications
Further monitoring campaigns were performed at different BNR processes around the U.S. These processes included mainstream (step-feed BNR, as mentioned above as well as PdNA and ABAC) in addition to sidestream (SHARON) treatment. The PdNA and ABAC processes were selected since they represent the leading edge of energy-efficient BNR operations and are the primary focus of this WRF-EPA program. The step-feed BNR and SHARON processes as implemented in New York City represent two examples of efficient and highly optimized BNR processes operational at full-scale to meet strict total nitrogen discharge goals and with even further improvements expected in future (including integration of PdN, anammox and PdNA). Results are in line with our previous observations that N2O emissions depend upon process design and operation and are not process-configuration-specific. The values for EFr1 (which are comparable to the IPCC EFr1 of 1.6%) ranged quite widely and further exemplify the true variability and dynamic behavior of N2O emissions from wastewater processes.
Objective 4: Conduct Outreach and Technology Transfer
The project team is currently working on integrating updates from Objectives 1 and 3 into the Blueprint Guidance Document for a revised version to submit to the EPA.
Future Activities:
In addition to revising the Blueprint Guidance Document, the project team is developing a series of webcasts to provide an overview of work done through this award. This series will be hosted by the Water Research Foundation and is planned for early 2025.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 7 publications | 5 publications in selected types | All 5 journal articles |
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Bachmann M, Parsons M, Klaus S, Kurt H, Chandran K, Stockard D, Wells G, De Clippeleir H, Bott C. Comparing methanol and glycerol as carbon sources for mainstream partial denitrification/anammox in an IFAS process. Water Environment Research 2024;96(4):e11017. |
R840086 (2023) R840086 (2024) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
Biological nutrient removal (BNR), nutrients, treatment, nitrogen, phosphorus, nitrous oxide (N2O)Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe 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.