Project Info
*Applying Biological Nutrient Removal for Low-energy Wastewater Treatment
Junko Munakata Marr
junko@mines.edu
A novel anaerobic wastewater treatment system at Mines Park removes organics and solids from municipal wastewater while producing energy-rich biogas and generating little waste compared to conventional processes. However, we seek to develop a complete treatment process that addresses nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewater, an essential process that mitigates environmental problems like eutrophication of lakes and streams. The student will assist with sampling and analysis of a biological nutrient removal process to advance the development of a low-energy wastewater treatment train.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Manage the nitrogen cycle
Pfluger, A.; Erickson, R.; Vanzin, G.; Hahn, M.; Callahan, J.; Munakata-Marr, J.; Figueroa, L. (2020) Energy-generating potential of anaerobically enhanced primary treatment of domestic wastewater using multiple-compartment bioreactors. Environ. Sci. Water Res. Technol., 6 (1), 117–131.
Malovanyy, A.; Yang, J.; Trela, J.; Plaza, E. (2015) Combination of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor and partial nitritation/anammox moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) for municipal wastewater treatment. Bioresour. Technol.
Primary Contacts:
Junko Munakata Marr (faculty mentor) junko@mines.edu
Carolyn Coffey (graduate mentor) ccoffey@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Comfort with working in “dirty” lab and with wastewater, attention to safety and procedural details
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
20 hours/month (approximately 4-5 hours per week)
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
The student will become proficient at running traditional water quality analyses such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrogen speciation, and volatile and suspended solids. The student will also become familiar with novel wastewater treatment processes, including biological nutrient removal.
MENTORING PLAN
The PhD student leading the project will be the primary point of contact; she will work with the student consistently until the student is able to operate more independently in the lab. She will also meet regularly with the student outside of the lab. I as the PI organize weekly project meetings of the research team, which the student will be invited to attend.
PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior