Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

Nitrogen is one of the primary nutrients if in excessive amount pollute lakes, drinking water wells, streams, and wetlands. Most nutrients come from human activities and through municipal and home sewage systems. Wastewater treatment plants are required to remove nutrients such as nitrogen before their discharge to water bodies. This research investigates using BioCord biofilm technology to remove nitrogen from domestic wastewater. Currently, the BioCord technology has been successful in several municipal wastewater applications, including lagoons and wastewater stabilization ponds. Specifically, it has shown an ability to reduce levels of ammonia and biological oxygen demand at a lower cost from incoming waste streams and during cold weather conditions. Its semi-passive operation allows for high treatment efficiencies with minimal operator oversight, footprint, and operational/capital costs. However, as regulatory bodies continue to update effluent limit guidelines to keep up with growing environmental concerns, it is anticipated that reductions of total nitrogen, not just ammonia will become increasingly desirable. This research evaluates a new opportunity to manage nitrogen at a higher intensity and lower energy input. By understanding the mechanisms of total nitrogen removal within the BioCord Reactor and discerning the effect of oxygen delivery on total nitrogen reductions, Bishop Water Technologies has the potential to remain competitive in the wastewater treatment technology industry by providing a comprehensive solution with an ability to meet future targets for treatment.