Ceramic membrane system solves disinfection byproduct challenge

Problem:

In 2010, a pine beetle infestation killed most of the trees surrounding the Basin Creek Reservoir in Butte, Montana. Many fell into the chlorinated water, increasing organic matter and disinfection byproducts. To keep using the reservoir, the utility planned the Basin Creek Water Treatment Plant.

Solution:

Initial efforts focused on site selection, pilot testing, hydraulic analysis, distribution system modeling and process selection. The Butte-Silver Bow Water Utility procured an Aqua MultiBore C-Series ceramic membrane system from Aqua-Aerobic Systems. The system could accept water directly from the reservoir, at much higher elevation than the plant. The reservoir pushes water through the membranes and directly into town, so when users turn on their faucets, more water flows through the plant.

Result:

“It saved a lot of infrastructure and pumping costs,” says Jim Keenan, chief operator. In addition, the plant wastes less than 0.2% of the water it treats. “We’ve been really pleased with how well the system works and how efficient it is,” Keenan says. 815-654-2501; www.aqua-aerobic.com

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University reduces water consumption through blowdown reuse

Problem:

During a drought in 2015, a Southern California university decided to treat cooling tower blowdown for reuse in its cogeneration plant. The university hired an engineering firm to assist with design and integrate the treatment system into the facility.

Solution:

In addition to high hardness and dissolved solids in the water supply, environmental factors such as Santa Ana winds, wildfires and nearby freeways increased suspended solids in the cooling tower water. U.S. Water Services designed a system that combined ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis, allowing strained water from the cooling tower to advance to the ultrafiltration membranes as pretreatment to the RO membranes. The permeate water flows back into the cooling tower with 99% of the impurities removed.

Result: 

Started up in 2016, the system has cut the university’s potable water use by about 18 million gallons. With other sustainability initiatives, the university is on the way to reducing consumption by 30 million gallons per year. 866-663-7632; www.uswaterservices.com

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Gasification project results in efficiency for large municipality

Problem:

The New York metropolitan area includes the five largest cities in New Jersey, generating more than 1 million tons of biosolids annually.

Solution:

Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority found that Aries Clean Energy had an environmentally friendly solution. The plan called for anaerobic digestion followed by hauling the remaining biosolids offsite. Biosolids are dried to 90% solids and then fed into a gasifier, which converts the material to a syngas in a thermochemical process. The syngas then provides fuel for the dryers. The only byproduct is biochar for beneficial use. The system achieves 90% mass reduction. The gasification process consumes little oxygen and produces lower emissions, making it an attractive alternative to landfilling or land application.

Result: 

The process diverts 130,000 tons of biosolids from landfills annually and is carbon negative. It also reduces greenhouse gases by reducing truck haulage. 615-471-9299; www.ariescleanenergy.com

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Ultrafiltration provides private development with space savings, high-quality effluent

Problem:

A planned development in Indian Beach, North Carolina, included more than 200 condominium units near oceanside property. State regulators advised the developers to discuss combining the wastewater system with that of a next-door housing development, whose treatment system was aging. The combined scheme required a 101,000-gpd treatment system with screening. Land costs were high and dictated a system with a compact footprint. The existing subsurface discharge field necessitated a treatment system able to produce high-quality effluent that could be reused/reclaimed.

Solution:

The parties selecting the packaged TITAN MBR wastewater treatment system from Smith & Loveless. It has a compact design and produces effluent that exceeds the strictest regulatory standards, including California Title 22, for direct discharge and secondary reuse. The treatment plant arrived in a complete factory-built system with minimal field assembly. Installation and startup took a few days. Automatic fine screening, prewired instrumentation and PLC control equipment were included. High-performance flat-sheet membrane modules provide effluent suitable for the direct subsurface discharge. The system’s standard modular design allows for high flows while using minimal beachfront property.

Result:

The unit has provided years of dependable service. 800-898-9122; www.smithandloveless.com