Startup and Long-Term Performance of the First Full-Scale Microvi MNE Technology Installation for Sidestream Treatment in the Bay Area

Microvi MNE biocatalysts are polymers that contain a high concentration of bacteria specifically select for different wastewater treatment applications. The Microvi MNE biocatalysts were implemented for sidestream treatment of ammonia at OLSD in 2021 after lab- and pilot-scale testing results supported full-scale application. With an average applied ammonia load of 183 kg N/day at a 5 percent weight to volume packing density, the Microvi MNE bioreactor was able to remove an average of 128 kg ammonia-N within weeks of startup, equating to 75 – 80 percent of the design ammonia-N load. The ammonia-N removal is likely limited by the relatively dilute ammonia-N sidestream concentration of 250 – 350 mg N/L as evidenced by continuously increasing specific ammonia-N loads removed over the range of applied ammonia-N loads, suggesting that there is additional treatment capacity. The advantages of this technology include simplicity and flexibility of operation, rapid startup time, and potential footprint savings.