Sludge Reduction Through Bioaugmentation - Fertilizer Manufacturer

Biological Treatment Summary

The Situation

A nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing company was faced with potential compliance problems due to a high accumulation of bottom solids in their 3.8 MG settling lagoon. The system was designed to have a retention time of 7 days under peak flow conditions (550,000 gallons per day). However, the excessive accumulation of bottom solids, ranging from 1-2' in thickness, effectively reduced the retention time in the system so that an incomplete treatment of the wastes was occurring.

The Solution

United-Tech proposed an implemented a biological treatment program using BZT® Waste Digester. Prior to implementing the program, 5 randomly selected points within the lagoon were sampled to establish the baseline thickness of the bottom solids. The treatment program for this facility consisted of an initial high-dose seed treatment followed by regular maintenance treatments to ensure through biological control of the system.

The Results

After 2 months, the same points in the lagoon were sampled a second time. The results showed an average of 34% of the bottom solids in the lagoon had been eliminated. The additional retention time provided by the increase in lagoon capacity allowed for a more thorough treatment of the wastes. In addition to reducing the level of bottom solids in the lagoon, the TSS and BOD levels in the effluent are now at all-time lows.