I.  PROPOSED TITLE:  Design and Control Strategy for Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification in Wastewater Treatment  

II.  NAME OF SPONSORING WEF COMMITTEE(S): (Include written acknowledgement from the chair of this committee(s) showing that the committee is agreeing to sponsor this committee.)  

Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design Committee Co-sponsor: Plant Operations and Maintenance Committee (see the co‐sponsor letter) 

                                                                                                                           

III.  WORKSHOP LEADERS: WORKSHOP CHAIR Name: Glen Daigger   Company/Institution: CH2M HILL  Mailing Address:  9191 South Jamaica Street Englewood, CO 80112 Country: USA Phone: 720‐286‐2542 FAX: 720‐286‐9271 E‐Mail: gdaigger@ch2m.com  

WORKSHOP CO‐CHAIR OR VICE CHAIR Name: Peter Strom Company/Institution: Rutgers University Department: Environmental Sciences Mailing Address:  14 College Farm Road New Brunswick, NJ 08901‐8551 Country: USA Phone: 732‐932‐9800‐x6216  FAX: 732‐932‐8644 E‐Mail: strom@aesop.rutgers.edu  

WORKSHOP CO‐CHAIR OR VICE CHAIR Name: Helen Littleton Company/Institution: Jordan, Jones & Goulding Mailing Address:  6801 Governors Lake Parkway. Building 200 Norcross, GA 30071 Country: USA Phone: 770‐455‐8555 FAX: 770‐455‐7391  E‐Mail: helen.littleton@jjg.com 

 

IV. WORKSHOP SPEAKERS:  (Add more speakers with contact information as necessary) 

SPEAKER #1 Confirmation: Confirmed   Name: Glen Daigger Company/Institution: CH2M HILL  Mailing Address:  9191 South Jamaica Street Englewood, CO 80112 Country: USA Phone: 720‐286‐2542 FAX: 720‐286‐9271 E‐Mail: gdaigger@ch2m.com  

SPEAKER #2 Confirmation: Confirmed  Name: Kartik Chandran  Company/Institution: Columbia University  Department: Earth and Environmental Engineering Mailing Address:    Mudd 918 500 West 120 Street New York, NY 10027 Country: USA Phone: 212 854 9027 FAX: 212 854 7081 E‐Mail: kc2288@columbia.edu  

SPEAKER #3 Confirmation: Confirmed  Name: David Stensel  Company/Institution: University of Washington Department: Environmental Engineering & Science Mailing Address:  303 More Hall, Box 352700 Seattle, WA 98195‐2700 Country: USA Phone: 206‐543‐9358 FAX: 206‐543‐1543 E‐Mail: stensel@u.washington.edu  

SPEAKER #4 Confirmation: Confirmed  Name: George Smith  Company/Institution: Siemens Water Technologies Corp. 

Mailing Address:  1901 S. Prairie Avenue Waukesha, WI 53189Country: USA Phone: (262)‐521‐8275 FAX: (262)‐617‐8630 E‐Mail: george.w.smith@siemens.com  SPEAKER #5 Confirmation: confirmed Name: Murat Sarioglu  Company/Institution: MWH UK Ltd (Montgomery Watson Harza) Mailing Address: Gold and Diamond Park Building No:2, Office 2204 P.O. Box 3020 Dubai Country: United Arab Emirates Phone: +971 4 501 7777 FAX: +971 4 501 7778  E‐Mail: murat.sarioglu@uk.mwhgloabal.com  SPEAKER #6 Confirmation: Confirmed Name: Keith Higgs  Company/Institution: Douglasville WWTP, GA. Mailing Address:  Douglasville‐Douglas County  Water & Sewer authority P.O. Box 1157 Douglasville, GA 30133 Country: USA Phone: 770‐920‐3838 FAX: 770-920-3881  E‐Mail: khiggs@ddcwsa.com  SPEAKER #7 Confirmation: Confirmed Name: Dale Belschner  Company/Institution: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Piscataway WWTP Mailing Address: 11 Farmington Road Accokeek, MD 20607 Country: USA Phone: 301‐206‐7415 FAX: 301‐206‐7425 

   E‐Mail: dbelsch@wsscwater.com  SPEAKER #8 Confirmation: Confirmed Name: Helen Littleton Company/Institution: Jordan, Jones & Goulding Mailing Address:  6801 Governors Lake Parkway. Building 200 Norcross, GA 30071 Country: USA Phone: 770‐455‐8555 FAX: 770‐455‐7391  E‐Mail: helen.littleton@jjg.com   V.  DESCRIPTION OF WORKSHOP (The description must demonstrate a relationship between 

the learning outcomes and the course content, and the instructional methods.) 

 

Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) is a well known phenomenon in biological nutrient removal activated sludge systems. It largely depends on the bioreactor configuration (micro environment that is related to mixing), oxygen input (bulk DO) and floc size (micro environment that affects oxygen diffusivity on flocs). Recent research has proved that nitrifiers are much more diverse species. They can work at very low DO conditions with different Ks value to oxygen at unexpected rate.  It is a known phenomenon in laboratory and field experiments that nitrifier oxygen uptake rate and ammonia utilization rate are increased dramatically with a little oxygen input after residing in an anoxic environment. It is observed that overall nitrification/denitrification rates are much faster than those laboratory measurements when alternating oxic and anoxic conditions occur in a full scale plant. It has been documented that SND reduces carbon, oxygen and alkalinity consumption from 10‐40% depending on the degree of SND achieved at specific configurations and treatment processes.  There are several plants that achieves higher SND and do not require additional carbon and alkalinity to meet total nitrogen (TN) <3‐4 mg/l. Practice has also demonstrated that a certain group of methanogens can couple with low DO nitrifiers under traditional nitrification pathways in domestic wastewater to remove carbonaceous BOD and nitrogen with very little oxygen input and sludge production.   This workshop will provide a summary on updated SND research, genome work on nitrifiers, and green house gas (GHG) effects in wastewater treatment under limited oxygen and carbon condition. It also will present design considerations and operation strategies with historical cases at specific sites. The audience will learn SND design principles and control strategies by example problem solving through group assignment. Each team will report their work assignment results and share successful experiences with different process configurations.  It will promote discussion and interaction between researchers, design engineers and utility operators. The workshop chair will provide summary conclusions to WEF from this workshop based on what is learned from group assignments and discussion.  

 

VI. SHORT DESCRIPTION (Provide one paragraph (25 words or less) incorporating a brief description, the intended audience, and learning objectives.) 

 This workshop will present a summary on updated SND research, design considerations and operation strategies with historical cases at specific sites. The audience will learn SND design principles and control strategies by example problem solving through group assignment. Each team will share their work assignment results and promote discussion and interaction between researchers, design engineers and utility operators.  .   

VII. LEARNING OBJECTIVES (Describe what the attendees will learn.) Attendees will learn why and how SND works through useful information presented at the workshop.  The learning objective is to encourage participants to apply SND design principles and control strategies to improve overall nitrogen removal while reducing operation cost at their own treatment facilities after completing group work assignments.   

 

VIII. ASSESSMENT (How will you assess that the participant has met the learning objectives? 

Quizzes? Successful completion of a lab exercise? How will you supply the results of this assessment 

to WEF?  The results must be quantifiable in order to issue continuing education credits. Hint: A 

workshop is more appealing if it has an interactive component.) 

 

1. The workshop participants would be divided into groups.  The work groups would be selected 

by the workshop organizers to ensure a diverse group consisting of both more experienced 

and less experienced professionals and those with consulting, utility, and academic 

backgrounds. 

2. Each work group would be given the attached exercise and given time to work on it.  The 

results will be summarized on PowerPoint slides in a format to be provided. 

3. Each work group will report back their results, followed by questions by the workshop 

organizers. 

4. Following completion of report backs by all of the work groups a general discussion will 

discuss observations and general learning. 

Group example problem solving, team result reporting, and wrap‐up conclusions will enhance what 

they have learned at this workshop.  

 

IX. OUTCOME (Demonstrate the relationship between the learning assessment listed above and 

the expected learning outcome.) 

 

Participants will have a good understanding on how SND works and should be able to optimize their 

systems and maximize overall nitrogen removal to achieve oxygen and alkalinity credits at their 

facilities. 

 

X.  WHO SHOULD ATTEND (Describe the target audience.) Consulting engineers, wastewater utility operators and researchers     

XI. WHAT ARE THE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS? (For example, attendees must be 

present a certain percentage of the time or an attendee must participate in 3 of the 4 workshop 

exercises or demonstrations to receive educational credits.) 

 Attendees must be present a minimum of 75 percent of the time to receive educational credits.                                                                                                                                                                                 

XII. WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITS FOR THE WORKSHOP?  LCD projector, flip chart with marker, microphone, group work table, panel discussion table 

 

XIII. AGENDA (Attach a separate page with this information. Follow the format under 

“Requirements for Completing the Proposal”. Remember to include the Networking Breaks (10:00 –

10:30 a.m.; 3:00‐3:00 p.m.) and Lunch (12:00 noon‐1:30 p.m.).) 

 

XIV. AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT/PUBLICATION NEEDS X  LCD Projector (for Power Point presentations) 

 VCR with TV Monitor 

X  Flip Charts with markers        Number Requested: 4 sets for group activities. 

X  Table top microphone (for panel discussions) 

X  Microphone for audience participation 

 Computer    Number Requested            (Computers are for demonstrations, exercises, etc. Note  

that a computer for presentation is already included in the standard set up.) 

 Calculator     Number Requested            

 Electrical outlets 

 Other (list detailed specifications for equipment rental)            

 I would like to include the following WEF publication as a supplement to the proceedings  

provided by the speakers:            

 

XV.  SPECIAL EQUIPMENT NEEDS 

 I DO NOT need special equipment for this workshop that will need to be shipped or obtained from 

an exhibitor. 

X  I DO need special equipment for this workshop that will need to be shipped or obtained from an  

exhibitor. 

 I understand that all equipment must be provided by a WEFTEC 2009 exhibiting company. 

 I understand that moving equipment into and out of the workshop must be coordinated  

with WEF staff now so that workshop prices can be set accordingly. 

X  I anticipate the following equipment for this workshop (provide name of equipment,  

anticipated provider, size, weight, crating method, etc.) 

Equipment piece 1: 10 computers for group to work problem assignment and report in 

PowerPoint summaries 

Equipment piece 2:            

Etc. as needed            

 

XVI.  WORKSHOP ROOM SETUP Attendee Seating: 

X  Classroom Style (rectangular tables with chairs) People can work around existing table setup 

after group break up 

 Rounds (round tables with chairs) How many seats per table?  

 Special set. If workshop requires a special set up because of equipment displays, laboratory  

demonstrations, computers, etc., you must attach a diagram showing exactly how the room is 

to be set. 

 

Speaker Seating: 

    Podium Only X  Podium with Speaker Table for 8 speakers (head table on a raised platform with a maximum  

of 6 speakers). For this option, include the number of speakers.  Note: A speaker table will 

decrease the seating space in your room.  

XVII.  DAY AND TIME OF WORKSHOP A.  This workshop should be held on:  X  Saturday     Sunday   Either    Other 

 

B.  Please attempt to avoid conflicts with the following WEFTEC®.09 events: WERF workshop 

 

C.  The workshop will last     a half day (8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) or  

 a half day (1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) or  

X  a full day (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) 

 

XVIII.  ATTENDANCE INFORMATION A.  Estimate the number of attendees you anticipate for your proposed workshop 

 0‐25   26‐50   51‐100  X  101‐150   > 150 

 

B.  Is there a maximum number of people who can attend this workshop? 

X  Yes   How Many? 110     No 

 

C. If you answered yes, please explain the reason for the limit.  

Group discussion and work assignment will be hard to facilitate with more than 110 attendees. 

 

SND Workshop Proposal 2010 -1- Littleton, Helen

AGENDA Design and Control Strategy for Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification in Wastewater Treatment

Time Topic Type Instructor

08:30 - 08:45 Welcome and introduction Presentation Peter Strom Rutgers university

08:45 - 09:30 Overview of SND research, design and operation development Presentation Glen Daigger

CH2MHILL, CO

9:30 - 10:00 Diverse Nitrifier study and GHG effects and their activities under low DO conditions

Presentation Kartik Chandran, Columbia University

10:00 - 10:20 Networking break (coffee/tea)

10:20 - 10:50 Nitrification rates and bacteria under alternating low DO conditions and design principles

Presentation David Stensel University of Washington

10:50 11:15

SND case 1 Design principal, operation strategy, and fine tuning of oxygen input to maximize stable nitrogen removal in oxidation ditch

presentation George Smith, Siemens assistant Joe. Rizzuto Evesham MUA, NJ

11:15 11:40

SND case 2 Design and operational advantages of SNdN in MBRs- A combination of theory and practice. It presents degree of SND in MBR, power reduction, and decrease in anoxic volume/mass fractions through well documented case studies.

Presentation

Murat Sarioglu, MWH UK Ltd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

11:40 12:05

SND case 3 Operation strategy, impact of process configuration on SND performance and process optimization at WSSC MLE and Step-feed BNR system

Presentation

WSSC Seneca and Piscataway WWTPs, MD. (TBD) Dale Belschner and Helen Littleton

12:05 12:30

SND case 4 Carrousel oxidation ditch design and operation to maximize nutrient removal

Presentation

Keith Higgs Plant superintendent Douglasville, GA (assistant TBD)

12:30 12:40

Group break out and assignment of example problems and group leaders based on presented SND cases in Oxidation ditch, MBR, and MLE/Step-feed configurations and participants’ experience

Glen Daigger CH2M HILL, CO

12:40 - 13:30 Lunch break

SND Workshop Proposal 2010 -2- Littleton, Helen

13:30 - 15:00

Problem solving (see attached problem assignment)

• List alternative configurations, O2 transfer and its pros & cons

• Quantify the SND that might be achieved

• Summarize SND options and control strategies

Group discussion and team work Group facilitator

15:00 - 15:30 Networking break (coffee/tea)

15:30 - 16:30 Each group reports results and summaries in PowerPoint back All participants Group presenter to be

determined

16:30 - 17:00 Discuss observation and general learning through a wrap-up conclusion

Moderated general discussion

Glen Daigger & Peter Strom

Exercise for SND Workshop

Problem Statement

An activated sludge plant is to be designed to achieve biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal (biological nutrient removal – BNR). Table 1 summarizes influent wastewater flows and loads. The objective is to maximize nutrient removal while also minimizing energy usage. Consider two options:

• Primary treatment preceding the BNR activated sludge process. Waste activated sludge (WAS) is thickened and combined with primary sludge prior to anaerobic digestion. The anaerobically digested sludge is dewatered prior to reuse.

• Following preliminary treatment the influent wastewater is sent to the BNR activated sludge process. WAS is processed in an aerobic digester prior to dewatering and reuse.

Table 1. Influent Wastewater Flows and Loads

Constituent Minimum Average Maximum Month

Peak

Flow (mgd) 5 8 10 20

BOD5 (lb/day) 8,000 17,600 22,000 35,000

TSS (lb/day) 10,000 19,800 25,000 45,000

TKN (lb-N/day) 1,500 3,300 3,950 5,000

TP (lb-P/day) 270 550 660 825

Alkalinity (lb as CaCO3/day)

7,500 15,000 18,600 28,000

The process designer is aware that Simultaneous BNR (SBNR) offers significant advantages and wishes to consider incorporating it into each of the two options to be considered. However, assistance on the appropriate design approaches and resulting impacts on operation is needed.

Deliverables

Each team will do the following:

• List assumptions needed to develop the required advice.

• List alternative bioreactor configurations and oxygen transfer system alternatives and summarize the advantages and disadvantages of each for achieving SBNR.

• Select a bioreactor configuration and oxygen transfer system for each of the two options above, documenting the reasons for their selection. To the extent possible quantify the extent of SBNR that might be achieved.

• Summarize options for operational procedures which can optimize SBNR for the selection bioreactors. What instrumentation would be provided, and why? List recommended operator training. How dependent is system operation on performance of the operators?

These deliverables will be summarized in PowerPoint for report back.

WEFTEC 2010 Workshop Review Committee To Whom It May Concern: The Plant Operations and Maintenance Committee is pleased to co-sponsor the workshop titled Design and Control Strategy for Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification in Wastewater Treatment. Our committee has reviewed the proposal and believes that the changes that have been made to make it slightly more operations based and to incorporate group interaction into the afternoon will make it a well-rounded workshop. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,

Kim Riddell POMC Chair

Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design Committee

Formal Recommendation and Official Sponsorship

Made this 27th day of November, 2010 by the Water Environment Federation’s Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design Committee

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) has a Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design Committee; and

WHEREAS, the Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design Committee supports the activities and endeavors of the Water Environment Federation for events such as WEFTEC; and

WHEREAS, the Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design Committee had developed and published policies for the formal solicitation, internal review, recommendation, and official sponsorship of workshop proposals for WEFTEC; and

WHEREAS, the Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design Committee has consistently sponsored WEFTEC workshops that have been of high quality, achieved excellent attendance, and consistently highly rated, including;

• WEFTEC.07 ~ 6 of 7 workshops sponsored by the committee ranked in the top 10 • WEFTEC.07 ~ over 625 attendees at committee sponsored workshops • WEFTEC.07 ~ attendee ratings ranging from 3.55 to 4.09 (1 to 5 scale ~ 5 being the best) • WEFTEC.08 ~ 2 sold out workshops sponsored by the committee • WEFTEC.08 ~ attendee ratings ranging from 3.4 to 4.5 ((1 to 5 scale ~ 5 being the best) • WEFTEC.09 ~ 6 committee sponsored workshops provided (rankings not currently known)

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of WEFTEC 2010 and in accordance with the policies adopted by the Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design Committee, the Committee does here by formally recommend and officially sponsor the workshop proposal entitled:

Design and Control Strategy for Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification in Wastewater Treatment

MWTDC WEFTEC Other Activities Chair