HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.b. Update on the Membrane Aeration Biofilm Reactor Process Intensification TestingPage 1 of 6
Item 3.b.
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July 19, 2023
TO: REAL ESTATE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANNING COMMITTEE
FROM: MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM, ASSOCIATE ENGINEER
NITIN GOEL, OPERATIONS OPTIMIZATION DIVISION MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: GREG NORBY, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER
ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER
SUBJECT: RECEIVE UPDATE ON THE MEMBRANE AERATION BIOFILM
REACTOR PROCESS INTENSIFICATION TESTING
The attached presentation provides updates on the Membrane Aeration Biofilm Reactor Process
Intensification Testing.
Strategic Plan re -In
GOAL TWO: Environmental Stewardship
Strategy 1 - Achieve compliance in all regulations, Strategy 4 - Identify and advance sustainability initiatives, including
reducing energy usage and emissions
GOAL SIX: Infrastructure Reliability
Strategy 1 - Manage assets optimally, Strategy 2 - Execute long-term capital renewal and replacement program
GOAL SEVEN: Innovation and Agility
Strategy 2 - Implement organization -wide optimization, Strategy 3 - Be adaptable, resilient, and responsive
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Presentation
July 19, 2023 REEP Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 26 of 33
Page 2 of 6
ATTACHMENT 1
July 19, 2023
If
Membrane Aeration
Biofilm Reactor
Process Intensification
Testing
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Nitin Goel
Optimization Division Manager
Steam and Aerations Blower Systems Renovations
District Project (DP) 7349 Secondary Process
Spin -Off Projects
Planning
Design
Construction
Identified Asset Replacement based on
Developed plan to maximize the capacity
Electric Blower Improvements DP
drivers:
of existing tanks, if nutrient removal
100015 - Near completion, two of three
Aging Infrastructure
were needed, and avoid stranded assets.
new electric blowers commissioned.
• Capacity
Membrane Aeration Biofilm Reactors
Aeration Basin Diffuser Replacement &
• Regulatory
identified as technology that could
Seismic Upgrades DP 100019 - Bid
• Sustainability/Optimization
intensify treatment in existing tankage
phase complete, construction begins in
(i.e., do more in the same space).
May 2024. Phase 1 will take two
summers.
Vision to Maximize Value of Existing Secondary Process J
July 19, 2023 REEP Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 27 of 33 1
Page 3 of 6
Process Configuration After Current Projects are
Complete
Electric Blower
Improvements Project
DP 100015
Full redundancy for
air supply to tanks
with new electric
blowers
Aeration Basin Diffuser
Replacement and Seismic
Upgrades DP 100019
Replace aged diffusers with
state-of-the-art membrane
diffusers for improved
efficiency and performance
Rehabilitate south selector to
allow for north selector to be
taken offline for rehabilitation
and allow for new treatment
configuration
Comprehensive Wastewater Master Plan
Placeholder Plan for Nutrient Removal
If nutrient removal were required for a recycled
oama's'°" water project (i.e., Water Exchange) or regulatory
requirement, Modified Ludzack Ettinger (MLE)* is
the pLacehoLder process.
Benefits
Established and proven treatment process.
Challenges
Significant construction effort for contaminated soil
relocation/removal and new secondary clarifiers
F and aeration tanks.
µ:AY° Completing maintenance in dry weather season
(May -October) could require adding new staff or
seasonal contractors.
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` process increase the solids retention time to allow bacteria who use nitrogen as a food
source to grow. This require more aeration tank volume and clarifiers to treat the same capacity.
July 19, 2023 REEP Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 28 of 33 2
Page 4 of 6
Alternatively, Membrane Aeration Biofilm Reactor
(MABR) Technology Could
Removal in Existing Tanks
Cassettes consisting of many membranes
are placed into an anaerobic zone (no
added air) of a tank or channel. Air flows
through the membrane allowing a biofilm of
bacteria to grow on the surface.
This biofilm bacteria population attached to
the cassettes, unlike Central San's current
bacteria population, use nitrogen as food.
Therefore, they add nutrient removal
capacity without adding clarifiers or
aeration tanks.
Maximize Nutrient
ZeeLung Filament ZeeLung Cord ZeeLung Module ZeeLung Cassette
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Process Intensification Pathway Identified in
Steam Project
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If nutrient removal is required for recycled
water projects (i.e., Water Exchange) or to
meet regulatory permit limits, MABR cassettes
could be installed into selector channels or
parts of aeration tanks.
Ultraviolet Disinfection Replacement and
Hydraulics Improvements Project DP 10012
will build a new ultraviolet facility in the
contractor staging area.
Then, it is possible MABR cassettes could also
be installed within existing ultraviolet tanks to
further increase nitrogen removal capacity.
July 19, 2023 REEP Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 29 of 33 3
Page 5 of 6
Pros and Cons MLE vs MABR if
Nutrient Removal Were Required
MLE: Comprehensive Wastewater
Master Plan Placeholder
Technology
Pros
Established and proven
technology
Cons
Requires relocation of
contaminated soil and new
clarifiers and aeration tanks
MABR: Intensification Technology
Pros
Maximizes treatment capacity of
existing tankage
More energy efficient than MLE
Lower long-term maintenance
requirement
Cons
Innovative & less established
technology
MABR Intensification
Testing Near Term Benefits
Obtain Critical Design Parameters: Determine the
optimal design parameters to increase nitrogen
removal in the existing tanks while understanding
and learning what impact cyanide, in the existing
Multiple Hearth Furnace air pollution control
scrubber water, has on the MABR efficiency.
Timing: Better estimating the equipment location,
phasing and costs for a potential future MABR
installation at Central San, which would help with
Long-term capital improvement program
budgeting.
M
July 19, 2023 REEP Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 30 of 33 4
Page 6 of 6
Next Steps
Testing duration expected to run from September 2023 to March 2024,
followed by alternatives analysis to compare MABR with MILE process with
updated design criteria.
MABR Intensification Testing Budget: $300,000 funded from DP 100055
Process Optimization Project.
If MABR pilot testing and updated evaluations are favorable, the next step
would be installing a few cassettes in the selector channel during the final
stages of the Diffuser Project for full-scale demonstration.
Equipment Instaltation
$50,000
Equipment Rental and Consultant Support $180,000
Technical Memo Design Criteria, Alternatives Analysis, and $40,000
Peer Review
Central San Staff Time $20,000
Supplies/Laboratory Testing $10,000
Total $300,000
July 19, 2023 REEP Committee Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 31 of 33 5