Pilot scale testing of a new configuration of the membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) to treat high-strength industrial sewage.

An alternative design of the membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) was developed to overcome some of the current technical and economical limitations preventing full scale applications of the process. The ZeeLung system uses a new dense hollow-fibre membrane with an unprecedented thin diameter. Two pilot units treating a synthetic high-strength industrial wastewater (4700 mgCOD/L, 145 mgTKN/L) operated successfully for 16 months.

Effects of fluctuating iron dosage on nitrification in integrated fixed film and conventional activated sludge processes.

An integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFFAS) process with four media cells is operating in parallel with a conventional activated sludge (CAS) train at Lakeview Wastewater Treatment Plant (Ontario, Canada). During winter 2007, an intensive sampling campaign was conducted to monitor the temporal and spatial variations of the nitrification capacity within the two plug-flow reactors. At the beginning of the six-week study, the CAS train was partially nitrifying, whereas the IFFAS train was nitrifying completely using the first two IFFAS cells only.

Updated activated sludge model number 1 parameter values for improved prediction of nitrogen removal in activated sludge processes: validation at 13 full-scale plants.

The Activated Sludge Model number 1 (ASM1) is the main model used in simulation projects focusing on nitrogen removal. Recent laboratory-scale studies have found that the default values given 20 years ago for the decay rate of nitrifiers and for the heterotrophic biomass yield in anoxic conditions were inadequate. To verify the relevance of the revised parameter values at full scale, a series of simulations were carried out with ASM1 using the original and updated set of parameters at 20 degrees C and 10 degrees C.

Comparison of performance and operation of side-by-side integrated fixed-film and conventional activated sludge processes at demonstration scale.

A full-scale demonstration of an integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFFAS) process with floating carriers has been conducted in Ontario, Canada, since August 2003. In this study, data collected on-site from July 2005 to December 2006 are analyzed and compared with the performance of a conventional activated sludge train operated in parallel. Both trains received similar loadings and maintained comparable mixed liquor concentrations; however, the IFFAS had 50% more biomass when the attached growth was considered.