Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment, Summer 2013

Walker Grimshaw, Fanny Okaikue, Sushil Shanbhag

Abstract:

The summer 2013 wastewater treatment team was the first group in AguaClara to explore wastewater treatment for developing countries. The long term goal of the wastewater treatment research is to apply the governing concepts of AguaClara: Drinking Water to the sustainable treatment of wastewater. This involves small-scale treatment strategies that utilize minimal energy and treat water of greatly varying flow. The technology must be transparent and easily operable by an individual with minimal training. The research in the summer of 2013 attempted to initially design and construct multiple upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors to better understand the operation of such an anaerobic technology. Additionally, anaerobic granules were studied for their makeup and metabolic processes. Throughout the summer, two reactors were constructed, one of which was modified for use with a support media, in this case sand. During operation, COD removal and gas production were monitored, both of which initially reached a high level before declining greatly until the reactors were abandoned. Each reactor was operational for approximately one month. Future research will work to improve treatment efficiencies and maintain a constant effluent quality through use of support media and further investigation of the metabolism of anaerobic bacteria involved in wastewater treatment.

Anaerobic Wastwater Treatment, Fall 2013

Ge Gao, Maithili Gokarn, Walker Grimshaw, Caitlin Rose McKinley, Liankun Zhu

Abstract:

Wastewater treatment is an important issue worldwide. Over one billion people across the world have connections to disposal methods for wastewater that remains untreated and instead is directly deposited into the environment, posing great human and environmental health risks. This research represents a union of the AguaClara program at Cornell and the Richardson Lab, with the long term goal of developing a gravity driven system for wastewater treatment and to characterize the general mechanism for anaerobic waste treatment. This team has and will operate under the principles of reducing human impact on the environment by effectively treating domestic wastewater before reintroduction to natural bodies of water and treating waste as a source of energy rather than a sink. Anaerobic treatment methods have been identified as the most appropriate for use in the global south due to their small footprint, low energy requirements, and slow rate of biomass growth. This semester six lab-scale reactors were constructed and operation begun to determine methods for controlling waste treatment efficiency and methane capture. Full scale reactors will use the methane produced within as an energy source to make the waste treatment an energy neutral or energy positive process. Of the six reactors, three were Anaerobic Fluidized Bed Reactors (AFBR) and three were Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactors. Though the reactors were only operated for a short period of time, they will continue to be operated in the future while data is collected for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal in addition to biogas production and specifically the methane levels within this biogas. One mathematical model was developed this semester to understand the fluidization characteristics of bio-granules as they develop on support media in the AFBR reactors. This model influenced the decision to use 0.1 mm quartz powder as a support media, and tests will be performed in the future to ensure this model corresponds with the fluid dynamics within the reactors. Microscopic techniques were investigated to determine their efficacy for elucidating the orientation and activity of microbial populations within the anaerobic granules. It is likely these techniques will be used in the future along with quantitative PCR techniques to understand the granules better. Other short term objectives for the study of wastewater treatment in the global south are to reach steady state operation of the reactors in terms of methane production and COD removal and exploration of new influent geometries to best fluidize the sand bed with such small support media.

UASB - Fall 2015

Zoe Maisel, Evan Greenberg, Yi Guo, Mason Minot

Abstract:

The Fall 2015 U​pflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) g​roup has continued the previous work of the AguaClara anaerobic wastewater groups. A literature review of technical journals was conducted to gain familiarity with the current state of anaerobic wastewater treatment technology internationally. The reports from previous wastewater groups were also reviewed to provide insight into the current state of anaerobic wastewater technology within AguaClara. The literature review served to identify common challenges to address during this and next semester including reactor leakage and creating an airtight design, combining a UASB unit with a GSBR unit in an attempt to improve overall treatment capacity, and oxygen stress testing to determine the robustness of the reactor. The beginning of the semester was spent cleaning and removing biomass from reactors, testing for leaks using a bubble solution, and performing a single ­day pressure test in an attempt to approximately quantify the volumetric leakage rate. Two UASB reactors were inoculated and began producing biogas within the first week of operation. COD analysis and gas chromatography were performed to characterize the efficiency of COD treatment and methane production within the reactors.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

UASB, Fall 2016

Andrew Kim, Yang Chen, Evan Greenberg

Abstract

To lower the amount of wastewater discharged into natural bodiesof water, low-cost, energy-efficient treatment technologies are needed indeveloping countries. The AguaClara team has developed lab-scale UASBreactors to evaluate the degree of treatment and energy recovery from”black water” (concentrated wastewater from toilets). Specifically, theobjectives this semester were to improve the current laboratory set-upand equipment, adjust the wastewater stock recipe to prevent cloggingin influent lines, and determine the residence time and maximum organicloading rate for the reactors. Ultimately the set-up changes were effectiveand a sufficient wastewater stock recipe was developed. Tracer tests foundthe residence time of each reactor to be approximately three hours, butthe maximum organic loading rate has yet to be characterized.

UASB - Spring 2018

Zac Chen, Jennifer Jackson, Ian Cullings, and Ananya Gangadhar

Abstract:

Since Spring 2017, the AguaClara Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) Team has been working on a detailed design of modified, pilot-scale UASB reactor originally proposed in an EPA P3 proposal. A UASB reactor treats wastewater anaerobically and produces biogas as a by-product. Working towards that goal, the team has created Python code to record the design process and calculations for this AguaClara UASB. This document serves as a master guide for the design process.

UASB - Fall 2018

Ian Cullings, Ananya Gangadhar, Cara Smith, Nina Blahut

Abstract:

Since Spring 2017, the AguaClara Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) Team has been working on a detailed design of a pilot-scale UASB reactor. A UASB reactor treats wastewater anaerobically and produces biogas as a byproduct. Working towards that goal, the team has created Python code to record the design process and calculations for this AguaClara UASB.

During Fall 2018, the team continued design work on the UASB with the goal of completing a full design. The team also began researching flow patterns through the UASB to optimize treatment and prevent preferential pathways.

Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) - Fall 2019

Francesca Bard, Katrina Chen, Shania Fang, Kyra Frederick, Dominic Grasso, Ahad Ishfaq, Lydia LaGorga, Emily Liu, Cara Smith, Valentine Starnes, Emily Wood

Abstract:

Since spring 2017, the AguaClara Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) team has been working on designing and fabricating a gravity-powered wastewater treatment system for communities looking for an alternative to releasing waste directly into streams and rivers. During fall 2019, the team installed a Pulsated Flow Reactor (PFR) at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF), fabricated a Continuous Flow Reactor, and began construction on a third reactor. Different design parameters in the reactors will help determine which features optimize reactor efficiency. Finally, the team conducted a set of laboratory tests in order to better characterize the influent quality, effluent quality, and site characteristics which may impact reactor efficiency.

UASB - Summer 2017

Zac Chen

Abstract:

No abstract included in report.

Conclusion:

The granule settling experiment from Spring 2017 has reached a conclusive result. Due to the high capture velocity relative to the upflow velocity, a full system of plate settlers will not be required of a full scale UASB reactor. There is no substantial impact from drastically decreasing capture velocity. Rather, a smaller settling apparatus such as a sloped exit weir can achieve the similar solid retention rates. More specifically, it was established that a 0.023 mm/s capture velocity can be utilized to increase effluent turbidity. It is with these conclusions, that the Summer 2017 UASB team recommend that future UASB teams move forward with the fabrication of the full-scale design.

UASB - Spring 2017

Zac Chen, Subhani Katugampala, Serena Takada, Linping Xu

Abstract:

Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) Reactors are a conventional primary wastewater treatment technology. Improvements to UASB reactors are required for the development of affordable small-scale wastewater treatment systems. This semester, the feasibility of two design modifications to conventional UASB reactors were explored: (1) a submerged gas capture lid (SGCL) to increase gas capture capacity, and (2) plate settlers to improve solids (granules) retention. The results of the SGCL prototype testing showed that the SGCL was gas-tight, which is not achieved in traditional UASB reactors. Additionally, granule settling tests demonstrated that plate settles do not improve settling capacity for small-scale UASB reactors. In the immediate future, AguaClara should fabricate a full-scale UASB reactor that incorporates the SGCL design and other design modifications detailed in the January 2017 EPA P3 Proposal. Eventually, AguaClara should explore post-treatment options to couple with the UASB reactor to develop a complete small-scale wastewater treatment system.

UASB - Spring 2020

Emily Liu, Emily Wood, Lydia LaGorga, Katrina Chen, Winnie Chan

Abstract:

The Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) team has been designing, fabricating, and testing a gravity-powered wastewater treatment system for communities seeking an alternative to releasing waste directly into streams and rivers. A reactor with pulsed flow was installed at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF) in Fall 2019, and sludge granules were added to initiate organic decomposition. The Spring 2020 subteam began monitoring pH, biogas accumulation, and sludge blanket height on a regular basis, and implemented a system to control reactor temperature. When the reactor completes its startup phase, the subteam will begin monitoring its performance with Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) tests.

UASB - Summer 2019

Nina Blahut, Shania Fang, Emily Liu, Kanha Matai, Cara Smith

Abstract:

Since the spring of 2017, the AguaClara Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) team has been working on a the design and fabrication of a pilot-scale UASB reactor. An UASB reactor is a form of primary wastewater treatment that uses anaerobic digestion to treat the wastewater. The team has created Python code and various CAD models to record the design process and the calculations behind the reactor.

In the summer of 2019, the team will be fabricating six UASB reactors at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility for testing and data collection.

UASB - Spring 2019

Cara Smith, Rafael Heryapriadi, and Jahin Aishee

Abstract:

For the past two years, the AguaClara Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Team, also known has UASB, has been in the works of designing and fabricating a pilot-scale Upflow Anaerboic Sludge Blanket reactor, a system which treats wastewater via anaerobic digestion, producing biogas in the process. UASB's design is completely gravity-powered and is a low cost solution to treating wastewater in rural communities that cannot afford typical wastewater treatment plants.

This semester, the UASB Team divided into the two sister teams of UASB Research (UASB-R) and UASB Design (UASB-D). UASB-R is focused on benchtop testing of a model UASB, researching ways to increase the reactor's efficiency, and test out designs in lab before being implemented by UASB Design.