Biological phosphorus (bio-P) removal has become a reliable and well-understood process within wastewater treatment, despite being one of the most complex processes in the activated sludge process. Extended fundamental and full-scale research has been carried out into the bio-P process and the state-of-the-art is described in this report. A summarising historical overview gives insight into the establishment of the appropriate microbiological and biochemical basis of the process and the development of bio-P configurations in practice. Aspects of the bio-P process that have a direct influence on the efficiency of phosphorus removal are subjected to an in-depth investigation. This report presents guidelines for design and dimensioning in order to introduce and/or optimise the bio-P process in practice. Twelve bio-P installations are extensively described and the operational results and experiences are related to existing bio-P knowledge and guidelines. Based on a number of parameters, a comparison is made between the described bio-P plants. A steady state model is verified with extensive periods of practical experience of the plants. The bio-P model, which is provided on CD-ROM (available for download here), offers a reliable insight into the bio-P process, coupled with sensitivity analyses regarding wastewater characteristics and process parameters for the anaerobic volume and the P-ortho concentration in the final effluent. The report ends with a systematic approach to the design of the bio-P process, based on the background of the bio-P process itself, much practical experience and the analysis of operational bio-P plants. Also presented is a systematic approach to tackle operational aspects of the bio-P process in order to generate an acceptable low P effluent concentration. This optimisation of the bio-P process operation is supported by a decision diagram. Biological Phosphorus Removal will be an invaluable source of information for all those concerned with wastewater treatment, including plant managers, process designers, consultants and researchers.

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) has been used for decades to remove phosphorus from municipal wastewater because it allows facilities to meet water quality goals while minimizing chemical consumption and sludge production. However, there is still substantial variability in both the practices applied to achieve EBPR and the level of soluble phosphorus removal achieved. The objective of this research project was to develop information that can be used to help municipal wastewater treatment plants more efficiently and cost effectively remove phosphorus through EBPR processes. This project included detailed analysis of routine water quality and operating data, field testing observations, and special studies conducted over the course of the project to evaluate the variability of EBPR, factors influencing EBPR performance, and the relationship between EBPR and the presence of glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs).

Aerobic Granular Sludge has recently received growing attention by researchers and technology developers, worldwide. Laboratory studies and preliminary field tests led to the conclusion that granular activated sludge can be readily established and profitably used in activated sludge plants, provided 'correct' process conditions are chosen. But what makes process conditions 'correct'? And what makes granules different from activated sludge flocs? Answers to these question are offered in Aerobic Granular Sludge. Major topics covered in this book include: Reasons and mechanism of aerobic granule formation Structure of the microbial population of aerobic granules Role, composition and physical properties of EPS Diffuse limitation and microbial activity within granules Physio-chemical characteristics Operation and application of granule reactors Scale-up aspects of granular sludge reactors, and case studies Aerobic Granular Sludge provides up-to-date information about a rapidly emerging new technology of biological treatment.

This text looks at different effects on the process of biological phosphorus removal. Topics include: biological phosphorus removal processes; process and molecular ecological studies; and the effect of potassium limitation on biological phosphorus removal.

This comprehensive book provides an up-to-date and international approach that addresses the Motivations, Technologies and Assessment of the Elimination and Recovery of Phosphorus from Wastewater. This book is part of the Integrated Environmental Technology Series.

This book presents information that can be used for the design and operation of wastewater treatment plants that utilize biological nutrient removal processes, i.e., processes that utilize biological mechanisms instead of chemical mechanisms, to remove phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewaters. The book provides: basic fundamentals, concepts, and theories; design of prefermentation units, various types of BNR systems, and secondary clarifiers; retrofitting conventional activated sludge plants; modeling considerations; and special considerations for BNR systems. It includes full-scale and pilot plant case histories, design examples, and retrofit of existing plants.

Special publication that discusses the method of utilizing a combination of biological and chemical processes to remove nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater. Chapter topics include: overview of nutrient removal processes, chemical phosphorus removal, principles of biological nitrogen removal, principles of biological phosphorus removal, nitrification design, design of biological phosphorus removal processes, structured process models for biological nutrient control, nutrient removal by aquatic systems, testing and evaluation of full-scale nutrient removal facilities and costs for nutrient removal.