Restoration of Capacity to an Aeration Stabilization Basin Using Innovative Techniques, 1998 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Mr. Blaine Butaud

Boise Cascade

Mr. Jon Scott, PE

JPS Engineering and Design

Professor Barbaros Celikkol

University of New Hampshire

Mr. Joe Santamaria

JPS Industries

Mr. Carl Siener

Environmental Technical Sales, Inc.

Boise Cascade’s DeRidder Mill Aeration Stabilization Basin (ASB) efficiency had decreased after almost twenty years of use because of sludge buildup. Discharge to the basin was high in suspended solids. The portion of the basin south of the partial earthen dike was filled with sludge except for areas around aerators and a shallow channel to the northern section of the basin. Dredging to remove the sludge was estimated to cost approximately thirty million dollars. An Engineering study to determine sludge loading and alternatives to dredging was conducted. Sludge loading was determined to be 1.2 million cubic yards of sludge. Since the cost of removing this much sludge was prohibitive the mill wanted to restore capacity and efficiency to the southern section of the ASB. JPS Engineering and Design of JPS Industries created an innovative solution to this problem using a computer model of the ASB to place curtains and aerators to achieve the desired results.