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RE: high ammonia in my SBR plant

bugwisperer — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 18:01:03 GMT

We have twin 50K GPD SBRs in a higher elevation area and have maintained nitrfication through the winter even though reactor temp has been in the range of 2.8 to 4 degC. Ammonia is 55-60 ish. We run MLSS about 5,000. We also fabricated several "baskets" with fine bubble diffuser in bottom with the plastic pasta wheels in the baskets to increase our bug mass while not increasing MLSS any further.

RE: high ammonia in my SBR plant

01780898 — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 06:03:47 GMT

As well as sludge age increased, you should look at the DO setpoint. A setpoint of 2.0 mg/L, instead of 1.0 in winter will improve nitrification.

Regards Grant H

RE: high ammonia in my SBR plant

WaterPlanet — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 16:20:18 GMT

For eight years, my company has run a 20,000 gpd avg flow / 55,000 gpd design flow SBR in Connecticut. We are able to maintain nitrification almost through the winter even though the wastewater temperature in the SBR drops to less than 10 degrees Celsius. It seem that just as the weather starts to improve we lose nitrification for a month or two. Our year-around-total Nitrogen level is good: well below 10 mg/L but it does jump to 20 from time to time. Luckily, DEP is okay with it.

Because our flow drops during the winter (thus the low temperatures), we add sugar to increase the loading on the plant. It really helps. We significantly reduce aeration cycle times, but not too low (don't want to talk about that experience!), and we maintain a wasting schedule even when the MLSS is slipping.

I'd enjoy talking about what we are doing and what you are doing to maintain nitrogen removal. Click on the Water Planet name to the left and send me an email.

RE: high ammonia in my SBR plant

woodenwater — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 19:49:16 GMT

You may want to check your influent alkalinity. It takes about 7.1 mg/l alkalinity to remove 1 mg/l NH3. You may need to add lime or soda to increase alkalinity.

It's true that alkalinity removal in winter is not as efficient as in summer. That's why some permits have lower limits during the warmer months.

Not sure why system would be shutting down without more info. What manufacturer...Jettech, Aqua-aerobic, etc??

RE: high ammonia in my SBR plant

J.W.Koch — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 14:57:02 GMT

Are you having any other problems? Ammonia levels will be higher in the winter do the temp. change. You are likely not nitrifying. Try increasing your solids retention time. Lesson the wasting. Increase your aeration period. What are your current MLSS?

high ammonia in my SBR plant

biker bob — Sat, 18 Mar 2006 21:00:27 GMT

I am a new operator of a sequencing batch reactor plant in New Jersey.

I am having a problem with high ammonia in my effluent during cold weather.

I am also having a problem with the units shutting down for no reason.

If anyone can help me I would be very thankful.