BIOLOGICAL AQUEOUS WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM
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| Overview: | Biological aqueous treatment
systems use naturally occurring microbes to process contaminated
wastewater; however, where highly toxic or recalcitrant target compounds
are present, innocuous, microbial amendments are introduced. The systems
use aeration and biological processes to break down contaminants before
wastewater is released to a publicly owned treatment works (POTWs).
Biological aqueous wastewater treatment systems can be continuous flow
systems or sequencing batch reactors.
Contaminated process wastewaters flow to a mix tank where the pH is adjusted and inorganic nutrients are added. If necessary, the water is heated to an optimum temperature using both a heater and a heat exchanger to minimize energy costs. The heated water flows to a bioreactor where the contaminants are biodegraded. The degrading microorganisms may then immobilized in a multiple-cell, submerged, fixed-film bioreactor. In this process, each cell is filled with a structured packing material, where the microbes adhere. For aerobic conditions, fine bubble membrane diffusers mounted at the bottom of each cell supply air. As water flows through the bioreactor, contaminants are degraded to biological end products, predominantly carbon dioxide and water. The resulting effluent may be discharged to a POTW or may be reused on site. This technology can be applied to a wide variety of wastewaters. Contaminants amenable to treatment include pentachlorophenol, creosote components, gasoline and fuel oil components, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones, alcohols, phenolics, and solvents. Other potential target waste streams include coal tar residues and organic pesticides. The system has been used successfully at forty different locations. Approximately ten years ago, a Pilot Unit of a BioAccelerator, which is a specific system developed by BioTrol, was tested at the MacGillis and Gibbs Superfund Site in New Brighton, Minnesota. The closed, fixed-film system was operated continuously for six weeks at three different flow rates. This demonstration project showed the following:
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| Compliance Benefit: | The use of a biological
aqueous wastewater treatment system can help facilities meet pretreatment
standards for discharges of wastewater into a POTW (40 CFR 403). In
addition, this treatment process may help facilities meet the requirements
of waste reduction under RCRA, 40 CFR 262, Appendix. Wastewater
treatment units that are covered under a NPDES permit or provide for
pretreatment prior to discharge into a POTW may not need to comply with
requirements for a hazardous waste treatment permit.
The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as a general guideline and are not meant to be strictly interpreted. Actual compliance benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g. the amount of workload involved. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Materials Compatibility: | No materials compatibility issues were identified. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Safety and Health: | The technology itself
poses no safety or health risks. However, several contaminants treated
using the system are dangerous. Pesticides and herbicides must be handled
with care. Skin adsorption can be a concern when handling wastewater
contaminated with these chemicals. Pentachlorophenol is an experimental
teratogen and carcinogen. It is also poisonous when inhaled and causes
dermatitis. Proper personal protective equipment is, therefore,
recommended.
Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits: |
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| Disadvantages: |
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| Economic Analysis: | The capital cost for
this technology depends on the flow rate. Typical capital costs are
$15,000 for a 1 to 2 gallons per minute unit and $150,000for a 100 gallon
per minute unit. Operating costs are approximately $0.75 per 1,000 gallons
for a 5-gallon per minute unit and $0.40 per 1,000 gallons for a 30-gallon
per minute unit.
Factors determining costs of treatment are the technology used, the flow rate, and the level and type of contamination. Each user must examine the cost effectiveness of the technology needed before selecting the system. The assumptions on which the BioAccelerator figures are based are as follows: Assumptions:
Cost Comparison of Air Stripping/Activated Carbon, UV/Peroxide, and the BioAccelerator
Economic Analysis Summary:
Click Here to view an Active Spreadsheet for this Economic Analysis and Enter Your Own Values. To return from the Active Spreadsheet, click the reverse arrow in the Tool Bar. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Approving Authority: | Approval is controlled
locally and should be implemented only after engineering approval has been
granted. Major claimant approval is not required.
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| NSN/MSDS: |
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| Points of Contact: | Civilian: Mr. Nick Simard, Plant Manager IT Group Altamont Landfill Gas Plant 10840 Altamont Pass Road Livermore, CA 94550 Phone: (925) 443-0593 FAX: (925) 443-2518 |
| EPA: Vince Scolarto US EPA (MS-481) Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory 26 West Martin Luther King Drive Cincinnati, OH 45268 Phone: (513) 569-7176 FAX: (513) 569-7620
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| Vendors: | This is not meant to be
a complete list, as there are other manufacturers of this type of
equipment. AquaTec, Inc. 1235 Shappert Drive Rockford, IL 61115 Phone: (800) 654-1505 FAX: (815) 654-0038 URL: http://www.aquatecinc.com/ |
| Aqua-Aerobic Systems,
Inc. 6306 N. Alpine Road Rockford, IL 61111 Phone: (815) 654-2501 FAX: (815) 654-2508 URL: http://www.aqua-aerobic.com/
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| Sources: | Mr. John Fernandez,
International Technology Corporation, April 1999.
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