ARABI, SARA

Arabi, Sara

Sara has 18 years of experience in environmental consulting, research, and process engineering for water/wastewater treatment. Her primary background and area of expertise is wastewater treatment plant modeling, design, optimization, and troubleshooting for wastewater treatment facilities across North America. Her expertise includes biological nutrient removal, resource recovery and membrane-based processes. She has experience with design and feasibility studies for potable and non-potable reuse projects for municipal and industrial applications in California and the first water reuse pilot project in Canada.

Titles from this speaker

Description: Brushite Recovery from Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion (ATAD) Sludge to...

Brushite Recovery from Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion (ATAD) Sludge to Improve Dewatering Characteristics

Abstract

The dewatering challenges and large chemical costs associated with dewatering sludges from Autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD) has limited the use of this technology. A small Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) in Colorado spends over $500,000 per year on dewatering ATAD sludge. A new approach is proposed for recovery of phosphorus (P) from ATAD sludge with brushite recovery which results in improvements in dewatering characteristics. Removal of Ortho-P and reduction in Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) with acidification, coupled with Ortho-P removal improves dewatering of ATAD sludge. Lab testing, process analysis, and modeling was conducted for P recovery with CalPrexTM. The indicated low quantity of chemicals required for phosphorus recovery. Lab testing with ATAD sludge showed 60% less polymer requirement for dewatering and 98% soluble phosphorus removal. The economic analysis comparing the current practice with the proposed P recovery (with brushite) showed that this new approach is capable of reducing the WRRF Operation & Maintenance (O&M) cost.

A new approach is proposed for recovery of phosphorus from ATAD sludge with brushite recovery which results in improvements in dewatering characteristics. Removal of Ortho-P with acidification, coupled with CalPrexTM showed promising results in improving dewatering of ATAD sludge. Lab testing, process analysis, and modeling was conducted for which indicated low quantity of chemicals required for phosphorus recovery. Lab testing with ATAD sludge showed 60% less polymer requirement for dewatering and 98% soluble phosphorus removal. The economic analysis comparing the current practice with the proposed P recovery showed that this approach is capable of reducing the WRRF O&M cost.

SpeakerArabi, Sara

Presentation time

16:00:00

16:15:00

Session time

16:00:00

17:30:00

SessionTechnology Advancement in Sidestream Phosphorus Recovery

Session number113

TopicBiosolids and Residuals, Facility Operations and Maintenance, Nutrients

Author(s)

Sara Arabi

Author(s)S. Arabi1; T. Gulliver1; C. Bye2; M.E. Tabanpour3; J. Wippo4;

Author affiliation(s)HDR, Chicago, IL 1EnviroSim, Hamilton, ON, CA 2Centrisys/CNP, Kenosha, WI 3Thermal Process Systems, Crown Point, IN 4

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2021

DOI10.2175/193864718825158020

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count14

Description: Comparison of Struvite and Brushite Recovery: Model Based Technical and Economic...

Comparison of Struvite and Brushite Recovery: Model Based Technical and Economic Evaluation and Sensitivity Analysis

Abstract

In this paper, process modeling was used to compare struvite and brushite based phosphorus (P) recovery alternatives with the available data which can be used for conceptual decision-making for P recovery. A model based technical and economical evaluation of struvite and brushite recovery (using BioWin™ Version 6.0) was conducted for a large Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF). The cost effectiveness ($/lb of Premoved) of the P recovery options was determined and sensitivity analysis was conducted to compare the options with and without the sale of the fertilizer product, for chemical cost and other key parameters. This comparative assessment focused on confirming and validating the design basis, technology providers’ estimated P recovery, and chemical needs. This paper is the first application of commercial simulator for side by side comparison of the two P recovery alternatives. Modeling results compared reasonably well with the actual WRRF data for struvite recovery. The model predicted chemical requirement for brushite recovery was similar to literature values for pilot studies. For the testing conditions modeled in this paper (20 MGD WRRF), brushite recovery appears to be slightly more cost effective in terms of $/lb Premoved. However, given the cost variations depending on the location and site specific conditions, the two alternatives appear equal in cost effectiveness.

SpeakerArabi, Sara

Presentation time

08:30:00

08:50:00

Session time

08:30:00

09:30:00

SessionSidestream Phosphorus Removal and Recovery Operations

Session number515

TopicFacility Operations and Maintenance, Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design, Nutrients, Research and Innovation

Author(s)

S. ARABIS. ARABIM. BenischC. ByeE.A. Evans

Author(s)S. ARABI1; S. ARABI1; M. Benisch2; C. Bye3; E.A. Evans4;

Author affiliation(s)HDR, IL1; HDR Engineering Inc, OR2; EnviroSim Associates Ltd., ON3; HDR, IA4

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2020

DOI10.2175/193864718825157501

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count16

Description: Economics of Potable Reuse with Partial Reverse Osmosis Treatment Schemes for Inland...

Economics of Potable Reuse with Partial Reverse Osmosis Treatment Schemes for Inland Communities

Abstract

This paper presents a techno-economic analysis of Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) Systems for partial Reverse Osmosis (RO) treatment schemes for potable reuse applications for inland utilities. Treatment process design considerations for two scenarios of partial RO treatment schemes for potable reuse are explored and expected produced water quality was identified. Capital and operating costs for each treatment scenario are presented and compared with baseline advanced treatment alternatives using RO-based Advanced Treatment (RBAT) and Carbonbased Advanced Treatment (CBAT). This study shows a partial RO treatment train can be used cost-effectively to provide inorganics removal required for some inland communities. Treatment trains decisions can be dependent on social, environmental, technical, economic, and regulatory considerations. This study informs decision-making about potable reuse treatment trains by comparing the planning level cost estimates and technical performance of partial RO potable reuse treatment scenarios for inland communities.

This paper presents a techno-economic analysis of Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) Systems for partial Reverse Osmosis (RO) treatment schemes for potable reuse applications for inland utilities. This study shows a partial RO treatment train can be used cost-effectively to provide inorganics removal required for some inland communities. This study informs decision-making about potable reuse treatment trains by comparing the planning level cost estimates and technical performance of partial RO.

SpeakerArabi, Sara

Presentation time

08:30:00

09:00:00

Session time

08:30:00

10:00:00

SessionWater Reuse: Challenges and Opportunities

Session locationRoom S403b - Level 4

TopicPotable Reuse, Water Reuse and Reclamation

Author(s)

Arabi, Sara

Author(s)S. Arabi 1; Z. Hirani 2 ; R. McCandless 3; M. Adelman 4;

Author affiliation(s)Stantec 1; Stantec, Pasadena, CA 2 ; Stantec, Phoenix, AZ 3; Stantec, Pasadena, CA 4;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2023

DOI10.2175/193864718825159164

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count14

Description: Process Modeling and Evaluation for Anaerobic Treatment of Vegetable Oil Refining...

Process Modeling and Evaluation for Anaerobic Treatment of Vegetable Oil Refining Wastewater with High Sulfate Concentrations

Abstract

The Vegetable Oil Refinery (VOR) wastewater has a high concentration of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and contains large amounts of oil, grease, sulfates, and phosphates. VOR wastewater is usually treated by a combination of pretreatment for oil and grease, biological treatment, and advanced treatment. High sulfate concentration is a result of sulfuric acid addition during the acidulation process, which poses a challenge for treatment of this type of wastewater. A comparative modeling assessment was conducted for treatment alternatives for a VOR wastewater containing high COD and sulfate concentrations. Two treatment alternatives were evaluated: Covered Anaerobic Lagoon (CAL) followed by activated sludge and Sulfate reduction, Autotrophic Denitrification and Nitrification Integrated (SANI®) process. Biogas production, sulfate, nitrogen and COD removal, aeration and chemical demand, and other key parameters were compared. Process modeling and analysis indicated excessive H2S concentration in biogas. Dilution of acidulation wastewater, and pre-treatment for sulfate removal prior to biological system were investigated.

SpeakerArabi, Sara

Presentation time

12:30:00

13:00:00

Session time

11:30:00

12:30:00

SessionApplication of Innovative Process Technologies in the Food and Beverage Industry

Session number9C

TopicIndustrial Issues and Treatment Technologies

Author(s)

S. ARABID. DevittB. MULINIX