Daily Schedule:
8:00am - Registration and coffee (1st day only)
8:30am - Session begins
5:00pm -  Adjournment
Breakfast, two refreshment breaks and lunch are provided daily

Description

Operators, engineers, designers and managers involved with wastewater treatment plants aim for a thorough understanding of biological treatment processes in order to achieve the expected performance. The course stresses the understanding the fundamentals and bridges the theoretical considerations with the practical aspects of operation.

Objective

To provide comprehensive understanding of biological nutrient removal processes and tools to achieve effective performance results including problem solving ideas.

Who Should Attend

Technical people involved in design, operation, monitoring and control of wastewater treatment plants and individuals who want to sharpen their skills.

Course Outcomes

Individuals will have a better understanding and knowledge about the variables that affect nutrient removal systems and approaches to optimize plant performance.

Program Outline

Day I

Wastewater Characterization and Interpretation
Definition of wastewater components and characterization
Sources of nitrogen and phosphorus and importance
Reasons for nutrient removal
Sampling methods and choices of technique
Impact of industrial sources
Variability of flows and need to measure for design and operation
Usefulness of tracer studies in a treatment system
Data analysis and interpretation

Fundamentals of the Activated Sludge Process and its Relationship with Nutrient Removal
Fundamental principles and nutrient requirements of the biological process
Overview of kinetics
Assumptions and limitations
Principles of biological process control (SRT etc)
Identification /selection of design parameters
Role of aeration and dissolved oxygen in the various biological processes
Overview of modified activated sludge configurations and lagoons
Nitrogen and phosphorus removal expectations from a strictly carbon removal system

Fundamentals of Nitrogen Removal
Nitrification
Fundamentals of nitrification
Microbiology
Environmental factors
Process parameters and kinetics

Denitrification
Fundamentals of denitrification
Microbiology
Environmental factors
Process parameters and kinetics
Incorporation in treatment processes

Fundamentals of Biological Phosphorus Removal
Theoretical considerations
Basic requirements
Luxury up-take
Co-precipitation
Biological processes
Incorporation within existing processes
Fundamentals of Fixed Film Processes
Theory and principles

Day II

Nutrient Removal Processes

• Process configurations
  
• Operating parameters and system control
  
• Carbonaceous requirements: nitrification and denitrification in relation to Bio-p removal
  
• Biological nutrient removal in an SBR as an example of an integrated process
• Operating parameters and system control
  
• Carbonaceous requirements: nitrification and denitrification in relation to Bio-p removal
  
• Biological nutrient removal in an SBR as an example of an integrated process
  
• Usefulness in enhancing activated sludge life and performance through optimization

Troubleshooting and Process Control: Importance with Respect to Maximizing Nutrient Removal

• Impact of changes in hydraulics, organic composition or both on performance
  
• Understanding the limitations of plant design and operation based on the F/M ratio or control of MLSS
  
• Tools to measure effects:
  • Morphology of the activated sludge flocs, the SVI and its limitation
    
  • Measuring the sludge blanket: the glass tube
    
  • Filamentous organisms and their impact
    
  • Measuring biomass activity: the oxygen uptake rate and its significance
    
  • Control of sludge wasting and its impact on operation: using sludge age, F/M or MLSS control?
    
  • Stable operation by maintaining constant sludge age
    
  • Return sludge flow control: real significance and when to use it
    
  • Control methods for activated sludge bulking and foaming

Open Discussion

Concluding Remarks and Final Adjournment

Instructor:

Ronald Zaloum, Ph. D., was Program Manager with Environment Canada. He has earned his Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering at McGill University, Montreal, and his Masters in Environmental Engineering at McMaster University, Hamilton and his Ph. D. in Environmental Studies at Metz University, France. Mr. Zaloum was Adjunct Professor and Researcher at the Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics at McGill University and a member of the Order of Engineers of the Province of Quebec. At Environment Canada, he worked as program engineer and with Wastewater Technology Center, Burlington as research engineer. Prior to retiring, Ronald was involved in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment and the implementation of pollution prevention practices and process audits.