Design Considerations for a Multiple-Reactor DEMON Process Treating Sludge Liquors from a Thermal Hydrolysis Anaerobic Digester

Abstract

The DEMON treatment process is rapidly becoming an established technology for sidestream treatment due to its low energy use and no requirement for carbon addition to remove nitrogen completely through deammonification. A new filtrate treatment facility (FTF) based on the DEMON process and currently under design for the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (AWTP) has several unique design aspects and treatment challenges due to its large scale and the fact that it will treat liquors from a digestion system that includes the CAMBI thermal hydrolysis process. This paper outlines the design, highlighting the unique features and the approach taken to overcome design constraints to meet the desired treatment performance, including consideration of: (1) space constraints, (2) multiple-reactor operation, (3) potential toxicity, (4) high temperatures, and (5) the aeration/mixing system. Design of the Blue Plains FTF is due to be completed in 2013.