Optimization of On-site Advanced Wastewater Treatment System to reduce nitrogen and organic pollutants

在人口密度低和（或）没有中央下水道系统的农村地区，废水通常在靠近其产生源的地方处理。这些地区的大多数居民依赖于传统的现场化粪池系统，其中30%至50%的废水处理在化粪池中进行，另外50%至70%在土壤中进行。然而，在许多情况下，常规化粪池系统的实施由于场地（即海拔）和土壤类型/条件而受到限制。关于处理和废水要求的法规根据废水排放的地点而有所不同。具有集成固定膜工艺的分散式高级废水处理系统是这些情况下的可靠解决方案，因为它们能够有效地处理废水。 该研究项目将专注于住宅和商业应用的创新高级污水处理（AWT）系统。AWT系统是一种现场系统，将气体注入液体技术与固定膜工艺相结合，以减少废水中的有机物，悬浮固体和氮。该应用研究项目的主要目标是优化目前的设计，包括流量、介质类型和体积以及曝气，以增强氮和有机化合物的减少，同时最大限度地降低成本。为了实现这些目标，两个AWT系统将并行运行，每个系统使用不同的媒体源。此外，可能需要对系统进行一些修改（例如，额外的再循环），以提高整体脱氮效率。本优化研究将在6个月的研究期内进行，以（1）评价当前系统，（2）根据需要进行修改，（3）优化和评价每个修改后系统的治疗能力。这项应用研究的结果将改善现有系统的知识，提高产品，并增加技术的可信度。

In rural areas with low population densities and/or without access to centralized sewer systems, wastewater is most often treated in close proximity to the source of its generation. Most residents in these areas depend on conventional onsite septic systems where 30 to 50 % of the wastewater treatment is performed in the septic tank and an additional 50 to 70 % is performed in the soil. In many cases, however, implementation of a conventional septic system is limited due to site (i.e. elevation) and soil type / conditions. Regulations around treatment and effluent requirements vary depending on where the effluent. Decentralized advanced wastewater treatment systems with integrated fixed film processes are a reliable solution in these circumstances due to their ability to effectively and efficiently treat wastewater. This research project will focus on an innovative Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) system for residential and commercial applications. The AWT system is an onsite system that combines gas infusion into liquid technology with a fixed film process to reduce organic matter, suspended solids, and nitrogen from wastewater. The primary objective of this applied research project is to optimize the current design in terms of flow, media type and volume, and aeration for enhanced reduction of nitrogen and organic compounds while minimizing cost. In order to meet these objectives two AWT systems will be run in parallel, each one utilizing a different media source. In addition some system modifications (e.g. additional recirculation) may be required to improve the overall nitrogen removal efficiency. This optimization study will be performed over a 6 month study period to (1) evaluate the current system, (2) incorporate modifications as needed, (3) optimize and evaluate each of the modified systems for treatment capabilities. The results of this applied research will improve knowledge of the current system, enhance the product, and increase technical credibility.