WASTEWATER
Aerobic granular biosolids key to treatment technology
One of the most expensive processes in wastewater treatment is initial pollutant and nutrient removal. The industry is constantly in pursuit of smaller, more streamlined systems that boast improved performance — at a lower cost and with reduced energy usage. AquaNereda Aerobic Granular Sludge Technology from Aqua-Aerobic Systems is a biological wastewater treatment system that provides efficient advanced treatment using aerobic granular biosolids.
“The process utilizes compact, fast-settling aerobic granular biosolids rather than typical flocculent activate sludge,” says Brett Quimby, senior process engineer for AquaNereda. “This allows for many benefits such as reduced footprint and energy savings compared to conventional technologies, while producing high-quality effluent. To date, no other technologies have demonstrated production of granular sludge at the concentrations and particle size distribution typical of the AquaNereda process.”
The aerobic granular biomass is comprised of compact granules which consist of layered microbial communities and provides superior settling compared to conventional activated sludge. Within a single tank, the process creates proper conditions to develop and reliably maintain a stable granule population without the need for a supplemental carrier. The layered aerobic and anaerobic zones within the granule allow for simultaneous processes to take place in the granular biomass, including enhanced biological phosphorus reduction and simultaneous nitrification and denitrification.
The process, according to Quimby, is flexible and compact, offering energy efficiency and significantly lower chemical consumption culminating in a low life cycle cost. Based on the unique characteristics of granular biomass, the AquaNereda system uses an optimized batch cycle structure. There are three main phases of the cycle to meet advanced wastewater treatment objectives. The duration of the phases is based upon the specific waste characteristics, the flow and the effluent objectives.
Compared to the previous conventional treatment process, AquaNereda achieves overall power cost reduction of 40%, zero chemical usage, 30% of footprint, a 75% increase in treatment capacity, elimination of secondary clarifiers and RAS pumping, increased process resilience during peak wet weather, events and influent load variations. The system also exceeds anticipated future nutrient removal requirements.
Since its introduction into North America, we continue to further advance development of the technology at our full-scale demonstration facility,” says Quimby. “Feedback from customers has generally been quite positive. Most have reported being happy with the ease of operation, energy savings, and high effluent quality associated with this technology.” 800-940-5008; www.aqua-aerobic.com
WATER
Converter upgrades transmitters to new data interface
As technology advances, the sheer amount of data at a treatment plant operator’s fingertips continues to increase. However, this technology creates so much data that, at times, finding ways to transfer, store and interpret it is sometimes challenging. In an effort to make that data interpretation process run more smoothly, ProComSol recently released an Ethernet-APL HART Converter.
The converter allows transmitter manufacturers to easily convert existing HART transmitters to the new Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer interface — billed as the fastest and most efficient way to continuously communicate large amounts of data from hazardous areas to the cloud. The converter can be customized to incorporate custom features or size requirements. Users can also quickly design “direct to APL” transmitters without using HART.
“Ethernet-APL is an exciting new technology,” says Jeffrey Dobos, president of ProComSol. “Manufacturers who want to add it to their product portfolio can now do it quickly and without high cost.”
The HM-APL-PCB consists of a ready-to-use PCB with a HART connector and an APL connector. The operator simply has to connect the HART transmitter to the HART connector to make it an APL transmitter. The APL connection supplies all the power needed for the PCB and the connected HART transmitter. ProComSol also offers full PCB customization capabilities, including board layout, to fit any existing HART transmitter enclosure.
The HART-IP protocol is used by the host system to configure and monitor the transmitter using Ethernet. Any HART-IP compliant host (such as ProComSol’s DevCom family of apps) can access the APL transmitter via Ethernet through an APL Switch. No software development required. The PCB can also be used as a baseline “direct to APL” design for new transmitters. The PCB supports various hardware peripherals such as Analog I/O, I2C and SPI Flash memory so the user can quickly prototype and demonstrate APL functions on a new transmitter without using HART. In combination with the modems, the company’s DevCom and DevComFF Smart Communicator App family is used to convert a PC, tablet, or smartphone into a full-featured, DD-based HART or FF Communicator. 877-221-1551; www.procomsol.com
