Wastewater Treatment Plant

1. Plant Lift Station

AWP has a variety of lift station designs for Wastewater Treatment Plants. AWP can customize the lift station for the specific site, using concrete basins as illustrated in our typical plant layout. Alternatively, we can provide a fully automatic package lift station made of fiberglass, ready for seamless integration into the ground. These stations are prepared for automated operations accommodating typical flow rates from 10,000-1,000,000 gallons per day.

2. Screening

AWP’s screens represent the latest designs currently available on the market. At AWP, we offer a diverse range of screening operations to our clients. Solids removal can be customized, ranging from 25mm down to 3 mm, allowing for extensive flexibility in solids removal. Our screens can be equipped with grit removal based on the client’s specific needs. AWP also provides screens with FOG removal options to help reduce operational costs in biological reactors. AWP screens feature grit and trash compaction, which reduces the volume of trash and solids for discharge. Moreover, AWP screens include fully automatic bagging of the trash and grit, effectively eliminating plant odors and facilitating the offsite removal of solids and grit material. All AWP screens are constructed of 304L or 316L to ensure maximum screen life, depending on the application. Additionally, AWP can supply bar screens and rotary thickener screens if the client requires them.

3. EQ Tank

A typical Wastewater Treatment Plant requires an EQ tank to equalize the flow of highs and lows over a typical 24-hour period. AWP can provide the client with several options to clients, depending on the local cost considerations for EQ tanks. These options include bolted steel tanks (above ground), fiber glass (above or below ground), or, if deemed suitable for the client, AWP engineers can design concrete basins, if this is the best option for the client.

4. Primary Classification

To reduce costs and lower the power consumption of aeration basins, AWP typically includes a primary clarifier in its wastewater treatment solutions. AWP has found that a dissolved air flotation, or DAF, is often the most efficient choice. A DAF offers the additional advantage of significantly reducing the land area (typically 3-4 times less) compared to traditional gravity clarifiers. Another benefit of the DAF is its enhanced ability to remove both heavy and lightweight solids. All the solids separated by the DAF are directed to the aerated digester for solids stabilization and volumetric reduction. Each AWP DAF unit is custom designed based on flow and solids input as specified by the client. For maximum operational life, every AWP DAF unit is constructed using either 304L or 316L stainless steel, depending on application.

ABOVE-GROUND PACKAGE WASTEWATER PLANT

Alpha Water and Power_Wastewater Plant_Waste Water_rendering

5. MBBR Biological Reactor

AWP incorporates MBBR (Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor) in 90% of AWP wastewater treatment plants. After the primary DAF treatment, influent water is directed into the MBBR aerated biological reactor. Typically, the reactor comprises 2-3 aerations zones, a degassing zone, and a denitrification zone to meet stringent nitrogen limits and total TKN. A basic description of an MBBR is as follows.

The MBBR technology is a treatment process rooted in biofilm principles, eliminating the need for activated sludge return. Within the tank, floating plastic media serves as surfaces for bacterial growth. Aeration is introduced into the tank to provide the necessary oxygen for microbial growth and ensure adequate mixing to fully disperse the plastic media throughout the tank. This mixing also controls the biofilm thickness on the plastic media. As the biomass accumulates and becomes too thick to adhere to the media, it detaches, becomes suspended, and is drained from the reactor along with the treated water. This detached biomass is then captured in the downstream clarification system of the MBBR.

The MBBR system utilizes variable frequency drives for automated blower speed control based on continuously monitored dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, using a DO sensor installed in the biological reactor tank. The ability to automatically adjust blower speed in real-time, based on DO measurements, provides enhanced control over the process. This allows the plant to conserve energy. Reduce costs and optimize system performance. The MBBR wastewater treatment system achieves efficient results with low energy consumption. The carrier’s surface area maximizes the interaction between water, air, and bacteria.

Benefits of MBBR Technology

Cost-effective with a small footprint and a high biomass volume.
Requires minimal maintenance.
Capable of handling flow surges and shock loadings.
Swift recovery from process upsets.
Easily expandable by increasing carrier filling.
High effectiveness in sludge retention time (SRT), enhancing the nitrification process.
Lower sludge production compared to activated sludge systems.
Eliminates the need for sludge recycling.

Applications of MBBR Technology

Retrofitting and upgrading existing systems.
Increasing treatment capacity.
Improving water quality through BOD & nitrogen removal.
Limited Footprint
Future Expansion
Minimize Process Complexity and Operator Attention

6. Secondary Clarification

Following treatment in the MBBR, where BOD and COD have been removed, it’s necessary to eliminate the free-floating colonies that exist between the Biochips, known as Total Suspended Solids (TSS). Since most of the biomass is retained on the chips, only around 120-150 mg/l of free-floating colonies need to be removed using the DAF (Dissolved Air Flotation). Within the custom AWP DAF system, the free-floating colonies will be concentrated to 3-4% Optical Density (O.D.) Solids, separated as float, and then sent to the aerated digester for sludge stabilization and volume reduction.

7. Final Filtration

AWP offers a variety of final filtration options to clients. As shown in the typical drawing, these include Zeolite filters, but we can also provide sand filters, carbon filters, or membrane filters, ranging from ultra-filtration to reverse osmosis (RO) if needed to meet discharge regulations or for reuse.

8. Disinfection

In a typical wastewater treatment plant, AWP provides multiple types of disinfection. The primary disinfection method is chlorination, but we can also customize designs for ultraviolet disinfection, hydrogen peroxide disinfection, or ozone disinfection, based on client consultations and specific needs.

9. Digester

The digester is designed to handle solids from both the primary dissolved air flotation unit and the secondary dissolved air flotation unit. The digester’s aeration is regulated using an on-and-off sequence based on the available dissolved oxygen (DO) within the digester. It’s designed to accommodate a minimum of 28 days of solids. To concentrate these solids before dewatering, the digester undergoes multiple decanting cycles. This method is expected to achieve a solids consistency of around 4 to 6% O.D. This higher consistency significantly reduces the volume that needs to be dewatered and minimizes chemical costs during the dewatering phase. All AWP plants are designed to comply with class A solids management regulations.

10. Solids Dewatering

For dewatering digester solids, AWP offers custom-designed Twin Wire Press units or custom-designed sludge boxes. The choice of dewatering method depends on the plant’s size or rated capacity. Typically, using sludge boxes is more cost-effective for plants under 100,000 gallons, unless the plant is heavily industrial. For plants exceeding 100,000 gallons or industrial applications, employing a Twin Wire Press offers significant advantages.

11. Controls

Depending on the plant’s location and climate, AWP provides a fully automated control panel with internet interface for remote plant operations anywhere in the world, provided you have the necessary access. If an outdoor setup is required by the client, all controls will be housed in a climate controlled NEMA 4 panel. In cases where an indoor setting is mandated, AWP can supply a prefabricated metal building to house the controls and Motor Control Center (MCC). If necessary, this prefabricated metal building can also accommodate an operator’s office and a laboratory facility.

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ALPHA WATER & pOWER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT