Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T18:49:56.499Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Efficient treatment of dairy processing wastewater in a pilot scale Intermittently Aerated Sequencing Batch Reactor (IASBR)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 August 2018

Peter Leonard
Affiliation:
Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, Galway, Ireland
William Finnegan
Affiliation:
Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, Galway, Ireland
Maria Barrett
Affiliation:
Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, Galway, Ireland School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Xinmin Zhan*
Affiliation:
Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, Galway, Ireland
*
*For correspondence; e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

This Research Communication describes the initial operation of a pilot-scale intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor system, which is located at an Irish dairy processing factory. Laboratory-scale research has facilitated the design specifications and operational parameters necessary for the construction and running of a pilot-scale. Laboratory scale research was necessary prior to the pilot scale system to ensure high quality treatment and nutrient removal efficiencies. The pilot system operates with a hydraulic retention time of 4 d, a solids retention time of 16 d and a cycle length of 12 hours. There are 4 non-aeration and aeration phases within the system's react phase. This system has a 3000 l working volume, treating 375 l of wastewater per cycle, 750 l daily. The system was seeded from an aeration tank at the dairy processing factory where the unit is located. The system is operating with the goal to remove both nitrogen and phosphorus from the wastewater biologically, reducing the need for chemical treatment. Currently, the system is performing with high efficiency, treating the wastewater to an acceptable level according to the Irish Environmental Protection Agency for discharge into surrounding water bodies. Therefore, the initial removal results demonstrate this technology's suitability for the treatment of high strength dairy wastewaters.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Hannah Dairy Research Foundation 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

APHA 2005 Standard Methods for the Examination of Water & Wastewater. Washington, DC, USA: American Public Health AssociationGoogle Scholar
Demirel, B, Yenigun, O & Onay, TT 2005 Anaerobic treatment of dairy wastewaters: a review. Process Biochemistry 40 25832595Google Scholar
Environmental Protection Agency 2008 BAT Guidance Note on Best Available Techniques for the Dairy Processing Sector.Google Scholar
Henry, LG 2014 Comparison of Intermittently Aerated Sequencing Batch Reactors (IASBRs) and Conventional Sequencing Batch Reactors (cSBRs) in Wastewater Treatment, PhD Thesis. Galway: National University of IrelandGoogle Scholar
Kushwaha, JP, Srivastava, VC & Mall, ID 2011 An overview of various technologies for the treatment of dairy wastewaters. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 51 442452Google Scholar
Leonard, P, Finnegan, W, Tarpey, E & Zhan, X 2018 Efficient treatment of dairy processing wastewater in a laboratory scale Intermittently Aerated Sequencing Batch Reactor (IASBR), Journal of Dairy Research 85Google Scholar
Li, J, Healy, MG, Zhan, X, Norton, D, & Rodgers, M 2008 Effect of aeration rate on nutrient removal from slaughterhouse wastewater in intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactors. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 192 251261Google Scholar
Pan, M, Chen, T, Hu, Z, & Zhan, X 2013 Assessment of nitrogen and phosphorus removal in an intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor (IASBR) and a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). Water Science and Technology 68 400405Google Scholar
Pan, M, Henry, LG, Liu, R, Huang, X, & Zhan, X 2014 Nitrogen removal from slaughterhouse wastewater through partial nitrification followed by denitrification in intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactors at 11 °C. Environmental Technology (United Kingdom) 35 470477Google Scholar
Tarpey, E 2016 An Investigation into the Use of IASBRs for Treatment of Dairy Processing Wastewater, MEng Thesis. Galway: National University of IrelandGoogle Scholar