Goldblatt, Mikel

Mikel E. Goldblatt, P.E., BCEE, Senior Engineering Consultant Influent and Wastewater Treatment. Mikel is a practical problem solver and innovator. With over 25 years of industrial water treatment experience gained from process engineering, project development, wastewater operations optimization, and contract consulting, he has honed a collaborative style as an investigative problems identifier and solutions provider; He is active in the Industrial Wastewater and Program Committees of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and has organized and contributed to educational forums and presented papers on advancements in industrial wastewater treatment and water reuse. B.S. Chemical Engineering / University of Massachusetts; M.S. Chemical Engineering/ Clemson University.

Titles from this speaker

Quick Fixes For Organic Overload Of A Refinery Wastewater

Abstract

Abstract
Operators of a petroleum refinery wastewater treatment plant treating 5 MGD (800 m3/hr) of process wastewater were having throughput restrictions due to poor settling of solids in the secondary clarifiers. To avoid having to reduce crude oil charge by 10%, a quick debottleneck solution was desired.
The Problem
The refinery had three complete mix activated sludge (CMAS) and clarifier trains that were organically overloaded, and two all-in-one activated sludge units that were hydraulically fully loaded. Efforts were focused on the CMAS/clarifier trains. Organic overload led to excessive exocellular polysaccharide (EPS) production, resulting in viscous bulking and poor settling in the three secondary clarifiers. A 15% increase in organic loading each year for the previous two years caused the inevitable overload situation shown in Figure 1. Although plans to add capacity were progressing, the new unit would not be operational for another 18 months; therefore, a quick fix was desired. Figure 2 shows India ink-stained biota, indicating the presence of troublesome high levels of EPS material caused by organic overload.
Investigating Options
Through collaborative discussions, a list of quick mitigation ideas was generated. The ideas were ranked for relative ease of implementation, degree of impact on solving the immediate problem, probability of success, and risk. These items were compiled and summarized in a priority matrix chart, shown in Figure 3. Those items that could have the most impact in the shortest time, without undue risk, were pursued. The chart and its accompanying table (table not shown in this abstract) were updated throughout the process to reflect progress and better informed assessments.
Actions, Results
Five of the items listed in Figure 3 were pursued. Number 9, cascading of waste activated sludge (WAS) from units that were not exhibiting high levels of EPS-the other units were hydraulically fully loaded but had higher resident solids and lower food-to-mass (F:M) ratios-to the CMAS/clarifier trains, allowed for marginal improvement in settleability. Number 8, use of ballasted flocculation, produced modest gains. Number 3, micronutrient addition, and number 12, bioaugmentation, did not produce gains. Number 2, use of granular activated carbon (GAC) beds to trim chemical oxygen demand (COD) loading, most effectively relieved organic loading on the CMAS/clarifier trains and allowed for full throughput rates. The paper, if accepted, will provide details on actions and results and will include a section on lessons learned.

A large petroleum refinery WWTP had to reduce throughput due to poor settling of solids in secondary clarifiers. To avoid curtailment of production, a quick debottleneck solution was sought. Collaborative brainstorming for ideas of quick mitigation steps resulted in a list of options. These were vetted and ranked for degree of benefit, and ease and speed of implementation. Several methods were implemented. Results are described, as well as some of the lessons learned.

SpeakerGoldblatt, Mikel

Presentation time

13:35:00

13:50:00

Session time

13:30:00

15:00:00

TopicIntermediate Level, Facility Operations and Maintenance, Industrial Issues and Treatment Technologies, Nutrients

Author(s)

Goldblatt, Mikel

Author(s)Mikel E. Goldblatt1

Author affiliation(s)Ramboll, Jenkintown, PA1

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2022

DOI10.2175/193864718825158599

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count10

Description: Temporary Selector Operational Innovation Mitigates Wastewater Throughput...

Temporary Selector Operational Innovation Mitigates Wastewater Throughput Limitations at a Large Paper Mill

Abstract

Operators of a 40 MGD (6,300 m3/hr) wastewater treatment plant serving a western USA paper mill were periodically chlorinating return activated sludge (RAS) streams to mitigate a recurring filamentous bacteria bulking problem. In mid-2019, chlorination requirements to prevent filament-bulking-induced throughput limitations became more frequent. Average floc size and quality gradually deteriorated. Finally, chlorination of RAS could not be employed as frequently as needed to reduce filamentous growth without causing loss of solids due to deterioration of desired floc. Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) throughput reductions were required which in turn required some temporary paper production curtailment. An operational innovation using existing assets was employed to select against filaments, allowing for resumption of full capacity wastewater treatment.

Operators of a large wastewater treatment plant were periodically chlorinating return activated sludge (RAS) streams to mitigate a recurring filamentous bacteria bulking problem. Chlorination requirements to prevent filament-bulking-induced throughput limitations became more frequent. Average floc size and quality gradually deteriorated. Finally, chlorination of RAS could not be employed as needed to reduce filamentous growth without causing loss of solids due to deterioration of desired floc. Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) throughput reductions were required. An operational innovation using existing assets was employed to select against filaments, allowing for resumption of full capacity wastewater treatment.

SpeakerGoldblatt, Mikel

Presentation time

16:30:00

16:50:00

Session time

16:00:00

17:30:00

SessionPractical Solutions to the Challenge of Poor Solids Separation in Activated Sludge Secondary Clarifiers

Session number315

TopicFacility Operations and Maintenance, Industrial Issues and Treatment Technologies, Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design

Author(s)

Mikel Goldblatt