7.2 Integration of advanced processes in treatment trains

Advanced wastewater treatment integrates various processes to achieve high-quality effluent. This topic explores how tertiary treatment units work together in treatment trains, considering compatibility, sequencing, and upstream impacts.

Understanding process integration is crucial for designing effective advanced treatment systems. We'll look at flow diagrams, unit sequencing, and how primary and secondary treatments affect tertiary processes. This knowledge helps optimize overall treatment efficiency and performance.

Integration of Advanced Processes in Treatment Trains

Compatibility of tertiary treatment processes

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• Water quality parameters impact compatibility
  • Effluent from previous treatment stages must meet influent requirements for subsequent processes (TSS, BOD, nutrients)
  • Mismatched water quality can lead to reduced treatment efficiency or process failure
• Hydraulic loading rates affect process compatibility
  • Flow rates must be suitable for each process to ensure optimal performance (contact time, surface loading rates)
  • Overloading or underloading can compromise treatment effectiveness
• Space constraints influence process integration
  • Footprint of each treatment unit must be considered in facility layout
  • Optimize layout to minimize piping, pumping, and land requirements

Flow diagrams for treatment trains

• Treatment units are key components
  • Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) oxidize recalcitrant organics and micropollutants (UV/H2O2, ozone/H2O2)
  • Membrane filtration systems remove particulates, pathogens, and dissolved contaminants (MF, UF, NF, RO)
  • Adsorption processes remove dissolved organics and micropollutants (activated carbon, zeolites)
  • Disinfection systems inactivate pathogens (UV, ozonation, chlorination)
• Connecting pipelines and valves control flow
  • Direct flow between treatment units and bypass options
  • Valves regulate flow rates and allow for process isolation during maintenance
• Sampling and monitoring points track performance
  • Water quality testing locations at influent, effluent, and between processes
  • Online sensors for continuous monitoring of key parameters (turbidity, pH, residual disinfectant)
• Design considerations guide process selection and layout
  • Treatment goals and effluent quality requirements dictate necessary processes
  • Influent characteristics and variability affect process sizing and operational parameters
  • Available footprint and site constraints limit process options and layout
  • Operational flexibility and redundancy ensure reliable treatment under varying conditions

Sequencing of tertiary units

• Contaminant removal mechanisms guide sequencing
  1. Physical removal of suspended solids and larger particulates (filtration)
  2. Chemical transformation or destruction of dissolved contaminants (AOPs, adsorption)
  3. Biological degradation of biodegradable organics and nutrients (biofiltration, membrane bioreactors)
  • Target specific pollutants at each stage for efficient removal
• Energy consumption influences process order
  • Utilize energy-efficient processes early in the treatment train (gravity separation, passive aeration)
  • Reserve energy-intensive processes for later stages (membrane filtration, UV disinfection)
• Chemical usage and costs affect sequencing
  • Optimize chemical dosing to minimize waste and reduce costs (coagulation, pH adjustment)
  • Sequence processes to maximize chemical effectiveness and minimize interference
• Maintenance requirements impact unit placement
  • Place processes with higher maintenance needs later in the sequence (membrane cleaning, UV lamp replacement)
  • Simplify maintenance by grouping processes with similar requirements
• Cost-benefit analysis optimizes overall sequencing
  • Consider capital costs of treatment units and infrastructure
  • Evaluate operating and maintenance costs over facility lifespan
  • Prioritize processes that achieve required effluent quality at lowest lifecycle cost

Upstream impacts on tertiary treatment

• Primary and secondary treatment affect tertiary influent quality
  • Removal of suspended solids, organic matter, and nutrients in upstream processes
  • Incomplete removal can overload or foul tertiary processes (membrane fouling, carbon exhaustion)
• Chemical addition in upstream processes can impact tertiary treatment
  • Coagulants, flocculants, and pH adjusters can carry over and interfere with downstream processes
  • Optimize dosing and provide adequate settling or filtration before tertiary stage
• Biological treatment influences tertiary process performance
  • Effluent organic matter and nutrient concentrations affect downstream chemical and energy requirements
  • Presence of microorganisms and their byproducts can foul membranes or consume oxidants
• Monitoring and control strategies mitigate upstream impacts
  • Influent water quality monitoring tracks key parameters (TSS, BOD, COD, nutrients)
    • Adjust tertiary treatment operational parameters based on influent quality fluctuations (chemical dosing, backwash frequency)
  • Process performance monitoring evaluates individual unit effectiveness
    • Identify and address performance issues promptly to maintain overall treatment train efficiency (membrane integrity tests, carbon breakthrough monitoring)