Proprietary Nutrient Supplement Reduces Nutrient Requirements and Improves Treatment Efficiency in a Pulp and Paper Mill Aerated Stabilization Basin, 2000 Environmental Conference Proceedings

- M. Foster -- A major pulp and paper mill operates a 35 MGD aerated stabilization basin. The mill incurs significant operating costs for nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), as well as commercial bioaugmentation cultures. The mill desired to optimize system performance in terms of effluent biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and total suspended solids (TSS), as well as improving nutrient control to minimize costs. Following extensive laboratory testing and on-site surveys, a comprehensive nutrient optimization program was recommended. The nutrient optimization program consists of two components: The BioWizard TM Nutrient Control Computer Model and Micro-Bionics TM XL Plus Nutrient Supplement. This program is designed to reduce overall nutrient cost while maintaining or improving plant performance in terms of BOD5 removal and TSS reduction. Initial laboratory results indicated that the application of the nutrient supplement would allow significant reductions in nitrogen and phosphorus feed and improve overall BOD5 removal. A full-scale evaluation was initiated on June 21, 1999.