Thermal Process Systems

Quality Biosolids Through Advanced Technologies

Three Rivers, Michigan

Three River Fun Fact Population – approximately 12,000

and

Neal Ball, baseball player, was the first player in MLB history to pull off an

unassisted triple play. He played for Three Rivers's semiprofessional

team in 1901.

First Municipal ThermAer

Installation

Agenda

Definitions

Process

Challenges

Benefits

Things to Consider

Definitions

ATAD

HRT / SRT

Sludge

Biosolids

Class A Biosolids

ATAD for CLASS A

A = Autothermal

T = Thermophilic

A = Aerobic

D = Digestion

Autothermal

Self-heating – No external heat source

needed

Thickened material feed to the reactor

Thermophilic

Aerobic

Conditions in the reactor are kept

aerobic

Anaerobic conditions can produce

mercaptans and other odorous

compounds

Oxygen Supply

Back then

Now

Digestion

ATAD

10,000 pounds 5,000 pounds

Dewatering SNDR

Beneficial Reuse

3,800 pounds

HRT / SRT

HRT – Hydraulic Retention

Time

SRT – Solids Retention

Time

Sludge – Solids influent of a

wastewater treatment plant

Biosolids – treated sludge

Class A Biosolids

Pathogen Requirement

Vector Attraction Reduction

Use 38% or higher volitale solids

destruction - alternative

Process Flow

Three Rivers Process

ATAD 1

ATAD 2 Dewatering

Influent feed of:

Primary

WAS Secondary

Septage

Thickening

Cooling

Holding Tank

MORE

COOLING

Either Centrifuge or

Fournier Press

23 to 28 % solids

Jet Aeration

Challenges

Temperature – Thermophilic

temperatures require fuel =

thickening of VS.

Foam – Some is good, but it can

quickly get out of hand.

Odor – BiofiltAer on site

Foam Control

• Integrated System

• Enhances O2 Transfer

• Allows CO2 and

Ammonia Stripping

• Ease of maintenance

– no moving parts

Controlling Foam is Essential to Reactor Health

Foam Control

BiofiltAer™

• Low Operating Costs

• Minimal Head Loss

• Inorganic Layer for

Longer Media Life

• Organic Media for

Biological Culture

• Can treat up to 300

ppm NH4+

Morehead WWTP

Morehead, KY

Benefits – Influent flexibility

• Thickened Feed Solids > 3%

– Lower HRT / Smaller footprint

• Waste Activated Sludge (WAS)

• Primary Sludge

• Septage

• Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF)

• Any Biological Degradable High COD Material

• SBR

• MBR

Benefits - ThermAer SAVES $$

High Volume Reduction

• 55-70% VS Destruction - 50%+ TS Destruction

• Trickle down effect – post digestion equipment

• Cut Hauling and End Use/Disposal Costs by 50%

Improves Dewatering – even on WAS

• Higher % Solids = Less Material to Manage

• Solids Range 25 - 33%

• Reduced Polymer Demand

Benefits - ThermAer SAVES $$

Reduced Manpower

• High Degree of Automation Cuts Operator Time

Energy Efficient – ORP Control Strategy

• System Matches O2 Delivery to Uptake Demand

Things to Consider

Grit removal

60 cubic yards in 2 years ago

160 cubic yards after first 10 years

Foam control – mechanical and operational

- Foam cones added

- Operational changes

- Strategy changes…….

Things to Consider

Use existing equipment

Increase capacity without adding tankage

ODOR CONTROL

Bigger is Better

Industrial influent

Dairy waste

Three Rivers, MI

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