Sludge accumulation and distribution impact the hydraulic performance in waste stabilisation ponds

Coggins, Liah X.; Ghisalberti, Marco; Ghadouani, Anas

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2016.11.031

Cited by 31 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Coggins et al [17] developed a system dedicated to the acquisition of high-resolution bathymetric data in ponds with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV); this high-resolution data is critical for the accurate modelling of the hydrodynamics of these pond systems.…”

Section: Bathymetry Mappingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The data collected using the ROV has significantly higher spatial resolution than that collected with traditional pond profiling techniques; for more detail about ROV sludge profiling refer to Coggins et al [17]. Collected data was processed by removing outliers, converting from water depth to sludge height, and gridded; this processing was completed though a software package, SludgePro © , developed by Coggins et al [17].…”

Section: Bathymetry Mappingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2D modelling was conducted with MIKE21 (Release 2012, DHI, Hørsholm, Denmark), using the hydrodynamics (HD) and advection-dispersion (AD) modules of the software. The model used in this study was set-up, calibrated, and validated for our previous investigation on sludge accumulation and distribution in WSPs [17]; the following briefly describes the process of model set-up, calibration and validation.…”

Section: Hydrodynamic Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is also important to note the effect of sludge accumulation and distribution over time on the hydraulic performance of ponds; a previous study by Coggins et al [17] showed that mean residence time reduced almost directly proportionally to the amount of sludge infill. The previous study also showed that the distribution of sludge had an effect on hydrodynamics, with the formation of a bench of sludge and a preferential flow channel having positive and negative effects, respectively [17].…”

Section: Flow and Treatment Improvement Provided By Bafflesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Waste removal efficiencies in these systems are highly dependent on hydraulic performance [15], and unsatisfactory hydraulic control is one of the main factors contributing to poor pond performance, especially after years of operation [16]. WSPs are notoriously hydraulically inefficient, and pond hydraulics are further compromised by sludge accumulation and distribution over time [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of Hydrodynamic Reconfiguration with Baffles on Treatment Performance in Waste Stabilisation Ponds: A Full-Scale Experiment

Coggins

Sounness

Zheng

et al. 2018

Water

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Abstract:Wastewater infrastructure is expensive to build and maintain, and there is a need to focus on improving and modernising existing infrastructure before large capital investments are made to service future population needs. Waste stabilisation ponds (WSPs) are used worldwide for the treatment of wastewater, but their performance is significantly affected by poor hydraulic control. Hydraulic reconfiguration of ponds is a possible solution to this problem, whereby the flow is controlled and short-circuiting is reduced. There is evidence to suggest that this approach has the potential to increase treatment performance, however in the absence of full-scale validation it is difficult to generalise this to a wide range of sites. For example, there is no consensus on the best baffle configuration to optimise hydraulic performance. The main objective of this study was to conduct a full-scale experiment of baffles in a WSP, and to investigate their impact on hydraulic performance. To achieve this objective, the approach combined high-resolution pond bathymetry and 2D hydrodynamic modelling, assessed with hydraulic indices, to determine the optimal baffle configuration for the site; it was shown that three baffles perpendicular to the inflow provided the greatest increase (up to 24%) in mean residence time. This configuration was then implemented in a working WSP. The effects of the baffles on the pond were then assessed using a combination of field tracer testing, revealing an increase in mean residence time of at least 20%, and further hydrodynamic modelling. Through the addition of wind data into the hydrodynamic model, it is shown that baffles not only improve the flow, but also attenuate the effect of wind on pond hydraulics. While the conclusions of this study are site-specific, the implementation of site-specific solutions is important for progress towards optimal pond design. The approach developed here is easily transferrable for use on other sites, and will enhance our ability to plan, design and operate WSP systems in the future.

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Section: Bathymetry Mappingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Bathymetry Mappingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Hydrodynamic Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Flow and Treatment Improvement Provided By Bafflesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Impact of Hydrodynamic Reconfiguration with Baffles on Treatment Performance in Waste Stabilisation Ponds: A Full-Scale Experiment

Coggins

Sounness

Zheng

et al. 2018

Water

Self Cite

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The small, the big, and the beautiful: Emerging challenges and opportunities for waste stabilization ponds in Australia

2019

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Waste stabilization ponds (WSPs) are used extensively for the treatment of wastewater in Australia, mostly in regional and remote areas. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) using pond technologies are also distributed over the full geographical extent of Australia, encompassing many climatic zones. Predominantly used to service small to medium‐sized communities, WSPs are also used to service large metropolitan Australian populations, up to 2.5 million people. When well‐maintained, WSPs are a sustainable and resilient treatment option, and treatment is achieved at significantly lower cost when compared with conventional WWTPs. Increasing population, changing regulations, and climate variability are placing increasing pressure on Australian WSP systems. Sludge accumulation over time presents a significant challenge to pond maintenance, along with increasing occurrence of toxic cyanobacterial bloom events. These challenges are only enhanced by the wide geographical distribution and by increasing operational and maintenance costs. Increased demand for recycled water is placing further pressure on Australian WSP systems, as higher value treated water is expected from WSP infrastructure that is often overloaded or under‐designed. This increased demand for high‐quality treatment presents an opportunity for operators and researchers to develop a better understanding of the coupling between hydraulics and microbial ecology of these systems. With more stringent guidelines for greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), a better understanding of biophysicochemical processes in WSPs will lead to better estimates of GHG fluxes and variability. This information will become critical for the future planning, maintenance and operation of WSPs, and will result in a better understanding of WSP systems overall. This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Water, Health, and Sanitation Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water

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Nitrogen dynamic in vitro using sludge of a sewage stabilization pond from Patagonia (Argentina)

Faleschini

Torres

2021

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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A relevant and current aspect of wastewater treatment systems is related to the processes of the nitrogen cycle that results in its elimination in gaseous forms. In the present study, we report the first measurements of nitrate-reducing rate (NRR) at lab-scale, using the flow-through reactor technique with sludge of a sewage stabilization pond system located in Patagonia (Argentina). Sludge was collected from Inlet and Outlet areas, in winter and summer. The sludge was characterized by having high moisture content (>94%) and organic matter concentration greater than 37%. The nitrate reduction experimental dates fitted significantly to the Michaelis-Menten model, allowing the estimation of the parameters that regulate the NR kinetics. The maximum potential nitrate reduction rate (R max ) showed great variability, registering a maximum of 131.6 μmol-N•gdw −1 •h −1 (Outlet-Summer) and a minimum of 4.1 μmol-N•gdw −1 •h −1 (Inlet-Winter). The lowest half saturation constant (K m ) was recorded in the Inlet sludge during the winter (6.1 mg N-NO 3 − •L −1 ), which indicates a greater affinity for nitrate of this bacterial consortium. An unusually high activity of NR was registered, being higher with sludge from the Outlet zone and with summer temperature. In full-scale ponds, the NR activity could explain a relevant part of the nitrogen removal that involves the escape of gaseous forms.

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Sludge accumulation and distribution impact the hydraulic performance in waste stabilisation ponds

Cited by 31 publications

References 36 publications

Impact of Hydrodynamic Reconfiguration with Baffles on Treatment Performance in Waste Stabilisation Ponds: A Full-Scale Experiment

Impact of Hydrodynamic Reconfiguration with Baffles on Treatment Performance in Waste Stabilisation Ponds: A Full-Scale Experiment

The small, the big, and the beautiful: Emerging challenges and opportunities for waste stabilization ponds in Australia

Nitrogen dynamic in vitro using sludge of a sewage stabilization pond from Patagonia (Argentina)

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