Project #4818

Testing a Biofloc Model to Understand Dewatering and Solve Dewaterability Issues Related to Resource Recovery

$720,363
Completed
Principal Investigator
Matthew
Higgins
Research Manager
Ms. Stephanie Fevig, PE
Contractor
Bucknell University
Advanced Treatment
Anaerobic Digestion
Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR)
Phosphorus
Resource Recovery
Utility Management
Treatment

Abstract

Many utilities have experienced poor dewaterability performance such as lower cake total solids and higher polymer demand with enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) and anaerobic digestion. A better fundamental understanding of bioflocculation during anaerobic digestion, and the interactions that occur during conditioning and dewatering to impact the critical outcomes of polymer demand, cake solids content, and capture efficiency is needed. This project seeks to address these important knowledge gaps and includes a final report that provides background, state of the science, and a summary of the research. A set of four fact sheets that examine different aspects of the dewatering process are also included. Published in 2020.

Originally funded as WERF project NTRY12R16.