Lagoon Wastewater problems from colder temperatures

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Lagoon Wastewater problems from colder temperatures.

Lagoons come in all different sizes and shapes. Many different types of industries and municipalities have once through lagoon systems. Some papermills have lagoons that are over 36 acres! Some have 40 million gallons a day flowing through the plant! Aerated lagoons or stabilization ponds often times have problems with BOD in the fall and winter. For every 10 degree F temperature change, there is one logs growth difference. As temperatures drop, it is harder for the bacteria in the lagoons to keep up with the BOD. Again, that time and numbers game comes into play. Since you cannot change the time, and you do not have a RAS to play with, the only thing many plants with lagoon systems can do is supplement with bacteria products. Bioaugmentation is actually a cheap solution to BOD and TSS problems if applied correctly. Case History

Papermill plant Gunpowder Plant pond

Refinery Equalization ponds Food Plant aeration pond

Equalization pond, but that is just supposed to equalize the flow and influent components? Do you think the pond is sterile? There is food present, probably some bacteria, just make sure the critical 5 are present: pH, N, P and temperature and D.O. are there, and you can easily get some degradation in your EQ tanks or ponds. Many times these are considered a wide spot in the pipe, when in reality they can also be a good place to jump start your biological activity. Many plants overlook the importance of the EQ, allow solids to build up in there, do not pay attention to DO and let them get septic and basically shoot themselves in the foot by creating a septic influent that make it harder for the bacteria to work on in the aeration basin. Do not overlook this critical piece of equipment in a system.

The larger the pond, the more time you are giving the bacteria to work on the incoming food. But, the problem is, that the more surface area you have, and the further away you are from the incoming influent, the more the temperature can drop in the winter months.

Although oxygen transfer efficiency increases in cooler temperatures, biological activity slows down. This slowdown in activity can be a serious problem for some plants. Surface aerators also throw the water up many times 1-2 feet into the air, again allowing the water to significantly cool down. While this is a good thing in the summer months, when it can get very hot, it can be a detriment in the winter when the biological activity has already slowed down.

Papermill Chicken farm for Eggs- over 2.2 million chickens on this farm!

Pig Farm lagoons Papermill scum on the surface, check primary clarifier

So how do you get around the fact that you are losing the time and numbers game but still need to meet your permits on BOD removal? Bioaugmentation can be an instant way to increase the numbers in the lagoons. By using a program developed for you plant with the proper nutrients, micronutrients and additional supplements of bacteria, it can be relatively easy to meet BOD and TSS permits.

Some plants only feed biological products on days when the temperature is really cold, some feed bacteria products a fixed amount daily and some only use bacteria products when there is a significant change in the influent BOD level. Designing a bioaugmentation program is relatively easy and can be custom fit for your specific plant.

**Bioaugmentation Programs include technical support, computer based training and long term programs include occasional free Wastewater Biomass Analyses of your system.

Biofeeders for the use of bioaugmentation in Papermills

What are biofeeders and why would a plant want to use them. Since wastewater in the winter months more than any time is a time and numbers game, it may be hard to increase the numbers cost effectively. It would be cost prohibitive to have to add 40-60 lbs of product a day to the system. In these cases, a biofeeder can be used to "grow up" the bacteria and increase the numbers. With the use of a biofeeder and 18-24 hours grow up, 10 lbs of bacteria can be the equivalent of 100 lbs. Now, the cost of a program is significantly more realistic and an acceptable way to help reduce BOD in a plant.

Dual programs with Bacterial supplements and micronutrients can also significantly cut back on the dosage of product required to help meet discharge permits. The correct amount of nutrients as well as micronutrients can make or break a bacterial program.

Dredging a Lagoon

Lagoons are designed to last a specific time before typical dredging is necessary. Bioaugmentation and biological programs for sludge reduction can help decrease the need for dredging but sooner or later, almost all lagoon systems need to be dredged.