Nutrient Removal Podcasts

1. Robust Systems Keep Wastewater Flowing Smoothly 10/29/2019

   When dealing with all the surprises that can come through wastewater systems, robust and simple processes can go a long way toward keeping things flowing smoothly. In this recent Water Talk session, Gerald Seidl, senior vice president of Headworks International, describes several such solutions ranging from upgraded mechanical to new biological technologies. New multi-rake bar screens with finer-screen openings than ever before now provide a cleaner flow to downstream biological treatment processes. On the biological side, anaerobic moving-bed bioreactor (MBBR) systems offer excellent performance for high-strength wastewater experiencing frequent fluctuations in flow or temperature.

2. A Better Path To Ammonia Removal 10/29/2019

   Ammonia removal is a key metric for assessing wastewater treatment facility performance. However, traditional methods to monitor the process — based on measuring process parameters or nitrogen species — tend to be lagging indicators.

3. Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal Evolves With S2EBPR 10/28/2019

   Leon Downing, Principal Process Engineer and Innovation Leader at Black & Veatch, sat down with Water Talk's Todd Schnick and Kevin Westerling to discuss the exciting developments taking place with sidestream enhanced biological phosphorous removal, or S2EBPR. Black & Veatch is co-leading a Water Research Foundation (WRF) study conducted to establish a standard research approach for S2EBPR, which Downing calls "the evolution of biological phosphorus removal."

4. A Fresh Take On Biological Wastewater Treatment 10/18/2019

   Improving wastewater treatment efficiency requires some type of change in the physics, biology, or economics of the process. In this Water Talk interview, Jeff Kelly, Red Valve’s senior product manager for the Tideflex Aeration and Mixing System, describes how to change all three — to the tune of a cost-saving 50-percent reduction in applied airflow! The Tideflex approach uses a unique diffuser design to support on/off aeration and mixing cycles without clogging. Managed by oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) readings, the novel technique supports a biological selection process that encourages the exclusive growth of facultative anaerobes — the most resilient wastewater microbes, which get rid of phosphates and nitrates without producing hydrogen sulfide.

5. Filtration For A New Era 11/26/2018

   Filtration has been around for a long, long time, so it may be that most treatment plant operators feel pretty informed about its capabilities. But hearing from Brian Frewerd, Director of Application Engineering with Parkson Corporation and Water Talk guest, will likely prove enlightening. Frewerd provides background on sand filtration for tertiary treatment applications, followed by insight on notable technology improvements and performance milestones

6. Less And More: Biological Nutrient Removal With Granular Sludge 11/6/2018

   Many wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are facing stricter limits on nutrient discharges, yet each plant and situation is different and solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Bryce Figdore, Wastewater Process Engineer with HDR and Water Talk podcast guest, talks about another tool at utilities' disposal — nitrification bioaugmentation using granular sludge.

7. Intensification Concept At Wastewater Plants Explained 10/21/2016

   Carollo Engineers, an environmental engineering firm that specializes solely on the planning, design, and construction of water and wastewater facilities has identified five major trends in the industry.

8. Phosphorus Recovery And Revolutionary Algae 10/27/2015

   Phosphorus recovery from wastewater and a newly-developed algae product that doesn’t require photosynthesis are the latest examples of intense product development within Ovivo. In this Water Online radio interview, Jim Porteous, Ovivo’s Vice President and General Manager, explains some of the changes he is seeing in the industry that are fueling the Company’s focus for the future.

9. Keeping Your Eye On The Bugs 10/14/2015

   As the industry’s most common and affordable method, biological treatment lies at the heart of the wastewater cleaning process. Treatment plants harness the power of nature by utilizing organisms that accelerate nutrient removal, eliminating carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

10. Nutrient Removal In Cold Temperatures 11/25/2014

    Cold temperatures add another layer of challenges to nutrient removal. In this Water Online Radio interview, Martin Hildebrand, the president of Nelson Environmental, talks about the cold temperature applications in Canada and how new technology can help.