Integrating High Purity Oxygen, Process Modeling, and CFD Models for Doubling Treatment Capacity in a Full Scale Leachate Wastewater Treatment

A pilot study to investigate the effect of High Purity Oxygen (HPO) on leachate wastewater treatment capacity was implemented at full scale on one of two treatment trains. The facility has a design capacity of 330 m3/day of leachate with an estimated actual oxygen requirement (AOR), of about 3,800 kg O2/day. However, actual wastewater treatment averages about 200 m3/day (estimated AOR of 2,400 kg O2/day) constrained by the aeration capacity in the biological basins. The use of HPO enabled the system to effectively treat a maximum organic loading rate with an estimated AOR of 4,900 kg O2/day, exceeding the design basis. Average treatment achieved in the HPO train was approximately twice the treatment achieved in the air train. The HPO process enabled lower energy footprint (51-64% reduction), significant reduction of odor, vent gas and foaming. HPO also enhanced the microbiological population, leading to the elimination of filamentous organisms.