Phosphorus Removal from a Sewage Treatment Plant using T1B STP Bio culture
Introduction: Sewage treatment plants (STPs) play a crucial role in maintaining the environmental quality of water bodies. The excessive presence of phosphorus compounds in sewage can lead to the uncontrolled growth of algae, disrupting aquatic ecosystems and depleting healthy flora and fauna. To address this challenge, innovative and eco-friendly solutions like biological treatment with bio-culture for phosphorus removal have gained prominence. One of our clients in Pune was facing persistent issues with high phosphorus levels in wastewater. Their treatment system utilized an activated sludge process (ASP).
STP Flow chart:
- Treatment Process: Primary treatment → Biological treatment → Tertiary treatment
- Flow Capacity: 500 m³/day
- Inlet Phosphorus: 50 ppm
- Outlet Phosphorus: 40 ppm
Challenges:
The sewage treatment plant faced several challenges, including:
- High phosphorus levels in treated sewage, exceeding permissible discharge limits and threatening downstream water bodies.
- Operational inefficiencies due to excessive phosphorus loads, adversely affecting overall treatment performance.
- Compliance issues with local environmental regulations, posing risks of fines and reputational damage.
- A need for improved efficiency in aeration tanks to enhance phosphorus removal efficiency and reduce odour.
Approach:
The biological treatment system exhibited limited efficiency, achieving only 15%-20% phosphorus reduction. Conventional ASP processes struggled to treat organic pollutants and phosphorus effectively, making it difficult to meet stringent discharge standards. The client sought a solution that could optimize the treatment process while ensuring compliance with regulatory norms.
Solution:
T1B STP Bio-culture, a specialized solution for biological phosphorus removal (EBPR), was introduced. Its unique formulation with polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) enabled the efficient removal of phosphorus through intracellular storage.
Steps Taken:
- Biocultures Integration: T1B STP Bio-culture was introduced into the aeration tanks. This bio-culture consisted of PAO bacteria adapted to thrive in the plant’s treatment conditions.
- Monitoring and Adjustment: Continuous monitoring of phosphorus levels, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen ensured optimal conditions for PAO activity. A 60-day dosing plan was implemented, with a higher dose in the first month and maintenance doses in the second month.
- Process Optimization: The treatment parameters were fine-tuned to support PAO growth, including adjustments to dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature.
Observation:
We observed that after the addition of our cultures, The phosphorous level was significantly reduced.
Day 1 |
Day 15 | Day 30 | Day 45 | Day 60 | |
phosphorous ppm | 50 | 45 | 35 | 22 |
10 |
Results:
The use of T1B STP Bio-culture for sewage treatment delivered significant improvements:
- Phosphorus Reduction: Achieved an 80% reduction in phosphorus levels.
- Odour Control: Reduced odour by 90%, enhancing the surrounding environment.
- Regulatory Compliance: The plant consistently met the discharge standards for phosphorus removal, alleviating environmental and regulatory concerns.
- Operational Efficiency: Optimized treatment processes resulted in fewer operational disruptions and higher overall efficiency.
Conclusion:
The introduction of T1B STP Bio-culture provided an effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable solution for phosphorus removal from sewage. The plant’s efficiency improved significantly, ensuring compliance with pollution control norms and stabilizing overall operations.
By adopting this innovative biological treatment method, the sewage treatment plant set a benchmark for efficient and environmentally responsible wastewater management.