Guidance Document on Anaerobic Digester Foaming Prevention And
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INFR1SG10a_WEF-IWAPspread.qxd 9/9/2014 1:22 PM Page 1 Guidance Document on Anaerobic Digester Foaming Prevention and Control Methods Infrastructure Water Environment Research Foundation 635 Slaters Lane, Suite G-110 n Alexandria, VA 22314-1177 Phone: 571-384-2100 n Fax: 703-299-0742 n Email: [email protected] www.werf.org WERF Stock No. INFR1SG10a IWA Publishing Alliance House, 12 Caxton Street Guidance Document on Anaerobic Digester London SW1H 0QS United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0)20 7654 5500 Foaming Prevention and Control Methods Fax: +44 (0)20 7654 5555 Email: [email protected] Web: www.iwapublishing.com IWAP ISBN: 978-1-78040-659-6/ 1-78040-659-2 Co-published by September 2014 INFR1SG10a GUIDANCE DOCUMENT ON ANAEROBIC DIGESTER FOAMING PREVENTION AND CONTROL METHODS by: Krishna R. Pagilla, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE Bhargavi Subramanian, M.S., Ph.D. Candidate Illinois Institute of Technology 2014 The Water Environment Research Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, funds and manages water quality research for its subscribers through a diverse public-private partnership between municipal utilities, corporations, academia, industry, and the federal government. WERF subscribers include municipal and regional water and water resource recovery facilities, industrial corporations, environmental engineering firms, and others that share a commitment to cost-effective water quality solutions. WERF is dedicated to advancing science and technology addressing water quality issues as they impact water resources, the atmosphere, the lands, and quality of life. For more information, contact: Water Environment Research Foundation 635 Slaters Lane, Suite G-110 Alexandria, VA 22314-1177 Tel: (571) 384-2100 Fax: (703) 299-0742 www.werf.org [email protected] This report was co-published by the following organization. IWA Publishing Alliance House, 12 Caxton Street London SW1H 0QS, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 20 7654 5500 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7654 5555 www.iwapublishing.com [email protected] © Copyright 2014 by the Water Environment Research Foundation. All rights reserved. Permission to copy must be obtained from the Water Environment Research Foundation. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2014934255 Printed in the United States of America IWAP ISBN: 978-1-78040-659-6/1-78040-659-2 This report was prepared by the organization(s) named below as an account of work sponsored by the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF). Neither WERF, members of WERF, the organization(s) named below, nor any person acting on their behalf: (a) makes any warranty, express or implied, with respect to the use of any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report or that such use may not infringe on privately owned rights; or (b) assumes any liabilities with respect to the use of, or for damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report. Illinois Institute of Technology The research on which this report is based was developed, in part, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through Cooperative Agreement No. CR-83419201-0 with the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF). However, the views expressed in this document are not necessarily those of the EPA and EPA does not endorse any products or commercial services mentioned in this publication. This report is a publication of WERF, not EPA. Funds awarded under the Cooperative Agreement cited above were not used for editorial services, reproduction, printing, or distribution. This document was reviewed by a panel of independent experts selected by WERF. Mention of trade names or commercial products or services does not constitute endorsement or recommendations for use. Similarly, omission of products or trade names indicates nothing concerning WERF's or EPA's positions regarding product effectiveness or applicability. ii About WERF The Water Environment Research Foundation, formed in 1989, is America’s leading independent scientific research organization dedicated to wastewater and stormwater issues. Throughout the last 25 years, we have developed a portfolio of more than $130 million in water quality research. WERF is a nonprofit organization that operates with funding from subscribers and the federal government. Our subscribers include wastewater treatment facilities, stormwater utilities, and regulatory agencies. Equipment companies, engineers, and environmental consultants also lend their support and expertise as subscribers. WERF takes a progressive approach to research, stressing collaboration among teams of subscribers, environmental professionals, scientists, and staff. All research is peer reviewed by leading experts. For the most current updates on WERF research, sign up to receive Laterals, our bi-weekly electronic newsletter. Learn more about the benefits of becoming a WERF subscriber by visiting www.werf.org. Guidance Document on Anaerobic Digester Foaming Prevention and Control Methods iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The research conducted to develop this guidance document was funded by the Water Environment Research Foundation with additional financial support by Hazen & Sawyer (NY), Baxter & Woodman (IL), and Depuración de Aguas del Mediterráneo (DAM, Spain). The technical advisory team consists of Dr. David Jenkins (University of California, Berkeley) and Dr. André van Niekerk (Golder Associates, South Africa). Assistance to the Spanish team from DAM, Valencia, Spain (Laura Pastor) is appreciated. The support of participating utilities which provided survey responses and full-scale plant data is greatly appreciated. This guidance document was prepared by the following with input from all project team members: Research Team Principal Investigators: Krishna R. Pagilla, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE Bhargavi Subramanian Illinois Institute of Technology Project Team: Slawomir Hermanowicz, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley Ignasi Rodriguez-Roda, Ph.D. Maria Casellas Fusté Institut Català de Recerca de l'Aigua (ICRA) Catalan Institute for Water Research Robert Sharp, Ph.D., P.E. Manhattan College Amanda Poole, P.E. Derek Wold, P.E. Sean O`Dell, P.E. Baxter & Woodman Paul Pitt, Ph.D., P.E. Hazen & Sawyer Alexandre Miot, P.E. Domenic Jolis, Ph.D., P.E. San Francisco Public Utilities – Oceanside WPCP iv Other Participating Utilities: Allen Deur, P.E. New York City Department of Environmental Protection Curt Goodman City of Marquette, MI Gary L. Smith City of Elmhurst, IL James L. Huchel City of Crystal Lake, IL WERF Project Subcommittee Andre van Niekerk, Ph.D. Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd David Jenkins, Ph.D., NAE University of California, Berkeley Jose A. Jimenez, Ph.D., P.E. Brown and Caldwell William Marten, P.E., BCEE Donohue & Associates Innovative Infrastructure Research Committee (IIRC) Members Stephen P. Allbee (Retired) Daniel Murray Michael Royer U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Frank Blaha Water Research Foundation Kevin Hadden Orange County Sanitation District Peter Gaewski, MS, P.E. Tata & Howard, Inc. (Retired) David Hughes American Water Kendall M. Jacob, P.E. Cobb County Jeff Leighton City of Portland Water Bureau Steve Whipp United Utilities North West (Retired) Guidance Document on Anaerobic Digester Foaming Prevention and Control Methods v Walter L. Graf, Jr. Water Environment Research Foundation Daniel M. Woltering, Ph.D. Water Environment Research Foundation – IIRC Chair Water Environment Research Foundation Staff Director of Research: Daniel M. Woltering, Ph.D. Senior Program Director: Amit Pramanik, Ph.D., BCEEM vi ABSTRACT AND BENEFITS Abstract: The development of this anaerobic digester (AD) foaming guidance document is based on the need for a specific detailed methodology that water resource recovery facilities (WRRF) personnel can follow and implement to manage or mitigate AD foam incidents. This guidance manual is the final product following a comprehensive research effort on AD foaming in full- scale WRRFs. It is the outcome of lessons learned from extensive literature review, WRRF surveys, full-scale data studies and experimental analyses. The primary goals of this document are to: 1) serve as a practical and usable tool for WRRFs, 2) present feasible alternatives that are cost-effective, 3) present large amounts of practical, focused information in a concise manner, and 4) present information of sound technical and scientific basis that can become a standard or foundation for foam management in WRRFs. Benefits: Provides step-by-step guidance on management and mitigation based on type of foam episodes (occasional, seasonal and persistent). Provides general guidance on AD foam incident management and includes information on the various causes-impact-control options available. Illustrates the benefits and concerns associated with several monitoring, mitigation, and control alternatives. Provides “how to” information on each step of foam management – problem identification, monitoring and detection, and prevention/control of foam episodes. Keywords: Anaerobic digestion, foaming, causes, effects, prevention, control, G. amarae, M. parvicella. Guidance Document on Anaerobic Digester Foaming Prevention and Control Methods vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................ iv Abstract and Benefits .................................................................................................................. vii List of Tables ...............................................................................................................................