Tag: integrated
1. Introduction The oxidation ditch is a modified activated sludge biological treatment process that utilizes long solids retention times (SRTs) to remove biodegradable organics. Oxidation ditches are typically complete mix systems, but they can be modified to approach plug flow conditions. Ideally suited for small- to medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment plants, these systems are renowned […]
Introduction For municipal and industrial wastewater engineers, the protection of downstream process equipment—pumps, valves, centrifuges, and digesters—starts at the headworks. The improper reduction of solids or the inefficient separation of inorganic grit can lead to catastrophic pump cavitation, seal failures, and the rapid accumulation of rag balls in digesters that necessitates expensive cleanouts. When specifying […]
FACILITY BASIC INFORMATION Plant Name: MCUA Central Wastewater Treatment Facility Location: Sayreville, Middlesex County, New Jersey Operating Authority: Middlesex County Utilities Authority (MCUA) Design Capacity: 147 MGD (Average Daily Flow) Peak Hydraulic Capacity: 350 MGD Population Served: Approx. 800,000 residents (plus substantial industrial base) Service Area: Lower Raritan River Basin (Middlesex, Somerset, and Union Counties) […]
INTRODUCTION Grit accumulation remains one of the most pervasive and costly “silent failures” in municipal wastewater treatment. While headworks screens provide visible capture, grit often bypasses preliminary treatment, settling in aeration basins, reducing digester capacity by up to 30%, and causing premature abrasion failure in downstream pumps. For consulting engineers and plant directors, the selection […]
1. Introduction In the municipal and industrial water and wastewater sectors, gas detection is not merely an ancillary safety function; it is a critical operational imperative mandated by rigorous regulatory frameworks and necessitated by the inherent chemistry of the treatment process. The decomposition of organic matter, chemical dosing requirements, and the physical constraints of underground […]
Introduction In the municipal and industrial water sector, data integrity is the bedrock of process control. Yet, a surprisingly high percentage of plant alarms—estimated by some automation audits to be over 40%—are nuisance alarms caused not by process failures, but by instrumentation drift, fouling, or improper specification. For the design engineer or plant superintendent, the […]
FACILITY BASIC INFORMATION Plant Name: Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant Location: 2104 Jackson Pike, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio Operating Authority: City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities (Division of Sewerage and Drainage) Design Capacity: 68 MGD (Average Daily Flow) / 102 MGD (Peak Secondary) / 150 MGD (Peak Hydraulic with CEPT) Current Average Flow: ~60-65 […]
1. Introduction to Thickening Equipment in Water and Wastewater Treatment In the hierarchy of unit processes within municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities, sludge thickening represents a critical intermediate step between liquid treatment and solids handling. While often overshadowed by the biological treatment processes upstream or the final dewatering and disposal downstream, thickening is the […]
FACILITY BASIC INFORMATION Plant Name: Akron Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Location: 2460 Akron-Peninsula Road, Akron, Summit County, Ohio Operating Authority: City of Akron Department of Public Service, Sewer Bureau Design Average Flow: 90 MGD Peak Secondary Capacity: 220-280 MGD (Hydraulic) Population Served: Approx. 330,000 Service Area: City of Akron and 13 surrounding communities (approx. 96 […]
Introduction For municipal and industrial engineers, the “pump” is often treated as a singular asset, yet the success or failure of a pumping station frequently hinges on a single component: the impeller. The rise of non-dispersible solids (flushable wipes) and the demand for higher energy efficiency have created a paradox in modern wastewater design. High-efficiency […]