DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR WATER REUSE APPLICATION

A combination of laboratory, bench and pilot-scale studies were performed to evaluate the impact of coagulant and polymer addition on the efficiency of a novel wastewater treatment process. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) funded research project was carried out through a partnership between Manhattan College, Rockland County Sewer District No. 1 and United Water of New York. The purpose of the study was to use a scale-up approach to select and test appropriate coagulants and coagulant aids (polymers, flocculants, etc.) aimed at enhancing settling and improving nutrient removal for the production of re-use quality water. The treatment process included a high-rate primary settling unit with coagulation to enhance settling and phosphorous removal, followed by four-stage biological nutrient removal membrane filtration. The main goals of this one-year study were two fold: 1) to determine if the combine enhanced settling and biomembrane filtration process could produce re-use quality water; 2) determine the effects of chemical coagulant addition on ultramembrane performance and fouling, and 3) determine if membrane filtration processes can effectively be applied to treat municipal wastewater with varying BOD and nutrient loads and significant temperature variations.