Project Info
Novel Hydraulic Selection Technology for the Improvement of Sludge Setting and Aerobic Granular Sludge Startup
Tzahi Cath | tcath@mines.edu
This project focuses on the optimization of wastewater treatment processes through the development of a novel hydraulic selector technology. Implementing hydraulic selector technology increases plant capacity and reduces the energy consumption of existing wastewater treatment systems. A simple hydraulic modification can be introduced to selectively remove biosolids with undesirable settling and biodegradation properties, thereby increasing the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). This technology will be highly desirable because it is expected that by 2032 an additional 56 million users will be connected to WWTPs that are already at capacity.
More Information
Ramey, D.F., Munakata-Marr, J., Cath, T.Y., Hypoaeration of activated sludge to reduce energy requirements at distributed reclaimed water plants: Studies at bench and pilot scales, Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 3 (2017) 235-248.
Ramey, D.F., Munakata-Marr, J., Cath, T.Y., Tailored water treatment using enhanced primary clarification for nutrient recovery and production of water for turfgrass irrigation, Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology 3 (2017) 671-685.
Grand Engineering Challenge: Provide access to clean water
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Wet chemistry lab experience, biological and water treatment interest.
Time Commitment
30- 40 hours/month
Skills/Techniques Gained
The student will work in a wet chemistry lab, molecular biology lab, and conduct experiments on a pilot scale biological reactor that treats real wastewater at the Mines Park Water Treatment Facility. In the wet chemistry lab, the student will learn how to measure chemical oxygen demand, nitrogen, phosphorous, sludge volume index, total suspended solids and volatile suspended solids. In the molecular biology lab, the student will learn how to extract DNA, take phase contrast pictures, and conduct real-time polymerase chain reactions. The student will also help maintain and monitor the pilot scale biological reactor.
Mentoring Plan
The student will have a weekly meeting with his/her mentor. The purpose of the meeting is to explain the meaning/purpose of the data collected, help her/him further their understanding of science behind the data collected, give preceptive, answer questions, and to address goals for the following week.