Nutrient removal with methanol as a carbon source full-scale continuous inflow SBR application

Methanol was applied to a full-scale continuous inflow SBR, as a carbon sou rce for denitrification and possible phosphorus removal. This research was conducted at the District of Kent Wastewater Treatment Plant in Agassiz, Br itish Columbia, Canada. This plant employs two SBR's working in parallel; o ne unit was used as a control, without the addition of methanol. There was no difference in the overall total nitrogen removal efficiency through meth anol addition; however, the additional carbon source significantly shortene d the denitrification reaction time in the existing reactor. The high nitro gen removal efficiency, with or without methanol addition, was primarily du e to the advantages provided by continuous-flow SBR carbon loading. The pho sphorus removal efficiency in the experimental SBR was also consistently hi gher than in the control SBR. The solids production from methanol addition was estimated to vary between 0.18 and 0.29 gVSS/gCH(3)OH. Methanol additio n also had an influence on the settling qualities of the sludge.