Upgrading of a Sewage Treatment Plant to Save Operating Cost
Country: Canada
The project involved conversion of a sewage treatment plant from a full aerobic activated sludge plant to a Modified Ludzack Ettinger (MLE) configuration to recover alkalinity through denitrification and eliminate caustic dosing (which was costing the city of a significant portion of their operating budget) to maintain optimal process pH. TruSense conducted the process and engineering design and preparation of construction tender documents.
The project was carried out in phases with the first phase converting and commissioning the South module in 2017. Conversion of the North module is in progress.
Start/End Date: 2012/2016, 2023/2024
Project Title: Upgrading of a Canadian Sewage Treatment Plant
Phosphorus Removal Program for UK WWTPs
Country: United Kingdom
TruSense was a subconsultant in support of a project commissioned by a major UK Water Company to assess economically feasible phosphorus (P) removal strategies across 14 activated sludge wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The project formed part of the utility’s compliance programme under AMP7 (2020–2025) and the Water Framework Directive, which enforces stringent total phosphorus limits ranging from 0.25 to 2 mgP/L. TruSense was responsible for evaluating 7 of the selected WWTPs, primarily medium to large nitrifying activated sludge plants. The scope included collection and analysis of operational and sampling data, preliminary process design and steady-state modelling of Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) and chemical P removal options, and identification of bolt-on technologies to ensure effluent compliance. Phase 1 of the project focused on assessing the technical feasibility and conducting a cost comparison of EBPR versus chemical P removal. The findings informed the selection of optimal treatment solutions for each plant and formed the basis for detailed process design and financial evaluation in Phase 2.
This project enabled the client to make evidence-based, cost-effective investment decisions while meeting environmental compliance requirements.
Start/End Date: 2020/2025
Project Title: Phosphorus Removal Program for UK WWTPs
Sewage Treatment Works Capacity and Cost Modelling
Country: United Kingdom
TruSense was retained by a UK client to undertake a feasibility study to understand current baseline sewage treatment whole life costs and how these could be reduced through further optimisation or with the installation of new technologies available on the market. These costs were then compared to novel sewage treatment research and development (R&D) possibilities. Recommendations were made to the client to inform the Asset Management Programme 6 (AMP6) investment to look at the most appropriate projects and inform the business’ sewage treatment long term strategy.
Seven treatment works representative of the sizes and treatment technologies across the water company’s base were selected as case studies namely:
• 3 No. trickling filters plants
• 1 No. trickling filter and activated sludge
• 2 No. activated sludge
• 1 No. sequencing batch reactor
New technologies that were not currently applied within the company that were evaluated included traditional enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) activated sludge, external nitrification, pure MBBR and IFAS as well as mainstream de-ammonification.
Dates Started/Ended: 2015/2016
Project Title: Sewage Treatment Works Capacity and Cost Modelling
Wastewater Treatment Plants Hydraulic and Treatment Capacity
Country: South Africa
TruSense was appointed to perform a detailed and comprehensive assessment to confirm the true rated hydraulic and treatment capacities of 7 existing Wastewater Care Works (WCWs) ranging from 0.4 Ml/d to 25.5 Ml/d. Treatment processes of these WCWs ranged from trickling filters to complex biological nutrient removal activated sludge plants with anaerobic and aerobic sludge digestion. Optimization and re-rating involved physical plant audits, design and application of mathematical modelling using IWA models and the BIOWIN™ simulator to evaluate and optimise options. The following outputs were also produced:
(a) Details of refurbishments required for the existing plant to achieve the re-rated capacity
(b) Optimum operating and control parameters for the existing plant to achieve final effluent compliance
(c) Operation and control strategies to minimize aeration energy and chemical consumption
Dates Started/Ended: 2015/2016
Project Title: Wastewater Treatment Plants Hydraulic and Treatment Capacity Study
Feasibility Study and Process Design for ASPs
Country: United Kingdom
TruSense was appointed in 2009 to carry out feasibility studies and detailed process design for the upgrading and expansion of four activated sludge wastewater treatment plants with a combined dry weather flow capacity of 254 Ml/d. The upgrades were aimed at accommodating anticipated growth through to 2025 and achieving compliance with a more stringent final effluent ammonia standard of 3 mg/L, introduced in 2015 under the EU Fresh Water Fisheries Directive. In addition to leading the design work, TruSense acted as the client’s Process Engineer throughout the Design & Build phase, providing ongoing technical guidance and liaising with framework contractors during construction.
The work involved comprehensive wastewater analysis and characterisation, assessment of the existing treatment capacity through mathematical modelling, and the evaluation and optimisation of process design under various load and maintenance scenarios. TruSense undertook detailed design for both modifications to existing infrastructure and new treatment units, and prepared all required technical documentation. Through a rigorous assessment of existing plant capacity and strategic re-rating of assets, TruSense was able to deliver a significantly optimised design, resulting in a capital cost saving of approximately 35% compared to preliminary estimates based solely on future population projections.
The Project was recognised for business excellence and was a top 3 finalist at the Client's Water Business Excellence Awards (2012) in the Sustainability/Carbon Impact Category.
Dates Started/Ended: 2009/2014
Project Title: Feasibility Study and Process Design for Extensions to UK Activated Sludge Plants