Davis Water and Waste Industries, Inc.

James P Harshman

H Forbes Davis

Julie Ward

Timothy F Matheis

Aerobic wastewater treatment processes are controlled utilizing alkalinity measurements. A base line of alkalinity is determined by measuring the alkalinity profile of the influent to the aerobic wastewater treatment process. The alkalinity of the wastewater is sensed at a number of different points in the aerobic wastewater treatment process, such as at a clarifier effluent and sludge exit, aeration zone, and aerobic digester effluent. When the sensed alkalinity at any given point is above a predetermined amount over base line alkalinity, the air supply is increased and/or the concentration of microbes and food is reduced (as by increasing the sludge withdrawal rate from a clarifier) until the sensed alkaline level is stabilized. When the sensed alkalinity is below a predetermined amount under base line, the air supply is decreased and/or the concentration of feed and microbes increased (as by reducing or terminating sludge withdrawal from a clarifier) until the sensed alkalinity level is stabilized. Anaerobic odors are eliminated, plant operation and efficiency is improved, settling is improved, there is enhanced removal from the secondary clarifier, and solids carryover is reduced increasing the quality of effluent from the clarifier.

Aerobic wastewater treatment with alkalinity control

Aerobic wastewater treatment processes are controlled utilizing alkalinity measurements. A base line of alkalinity is determined by measuring the alkalinity profile of the influent to the aerobic wastewater treatment process. The alkalinity of the wastewater is sensed at a number of different points in the aerobic wastewater treatment process, such as at a clarifier effluent and sludge exit, aeration zone, and aerobic digester effluent. When the sensed alkalinity at any given point is above a predetermined amount over base line alkalinity, the air supply is increased and/or the concentration of microbes and food is reduced (as by increasing the sludge withdrawal rate from a clarifier) until the sensed alkaline level is stablized. When the sensed alkalinity is below a predetermined amount under base line, the air supply is decreased and/or the concentration of feed and microbes increased (as by reducing or terminating sludge withdrawal from a clarifier) until the sensed alkalinity level is stabilized. Anaerobic odors are eliminated, plant operation and efficiency is improved, settling is improved, there is enhanced removal from the secondary clarifier, and solids carryover is reduced increasing the quality of effluent from the clarifier.

Growing community of inventors

Tallevast, FL, United States of America

James P Harshman