Optimize wastewater operations

A commonly used process--activated sludge treatment (AST) removes soluble organics from process wastewater. Many existing AST units must handle higher waste loads resulting from plant capacity expansion. Also, tighter permit discharge limits have lowered allowable final effluent concentration. More than ever, operators must find cost-effective options to squeeze better performance from existing treatment processes. By implementing an improved monitoring program and trending plant historical data, operators can formulate AST operating parameters and still remain in compliance. Using AST trend data, operators can predict potential problems and take evasive action. The enclosed guidelines show how to fine-tune AST daily operations.