Investigating Non-proprietary Means of Nitrogen Removal A Brief - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Dec 03, 2022 162 likes •529 views

Investigating Non-proprietary Means of Nitrogen Removal A Brief Data Summary of Experiments Performed at M assachusetts A lternative S eptic S ystem T est C enter Damann L. Anderson, P.E., a researcher of passive nitrogen removal systems

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Investigating Non-proprietary Means of Nitrogen Removal

A Brief Data Summary of Experiments Performed at Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center

SLIDE 2

Damann L. Anderson, P.E., a researcher of passive nitrogen removal systems

for the State of Florida Onsite Sewage Nitrogen Reduction Study (FOSNRS);

George Loomis, an onsite septic system specialist and published author from

the University of Rhode Island;

Dr. Will Robertson of the University of Waterloo;
Jose Amador, a soil scientist at the University of Rhode Island;
John Eliasson with the Wastewater Management Section of Washington State

Department of Health’s Division of Environmental Public Health

More recently, researchers at Stony Brook University, NY

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To examine all elements of successful non-proprietary

nsite denitrification projects and determine how to

adjust the design features to work in our particular climatological and geological setting. To determine whether the principles used in these projects will allow a design that is economical and feasible to install in Barnstable County.

SLIDE 4

All projects investigated used ligno-cellulose (wood)

r a byproduct as a carbon

source to support denitrification

SLIDE 5

Initial investigations with soil columns suggested that sawdust could be incorporated into a soil profile following a layer for nitrification to achieve denitrification

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1. Small scale unsaturated flow system hydraulically

loading at code-prescribed rate;

2. Large-scale saturated system
3. Large scale “permeable reactive barrier” system

(Silt-sawdust layer)

4. Large Scale unsaturated flow system
5. Additional soil column experiments

SLIDE 9

Cover 6-8” Nitrify 18” Denitrify 18”

System Profile < 48” Low pressure time dosed shallow drainfield

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SLIDE 11

Small scale unsaturated flow system hydraulically loaded at code-prescribed rate

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Total Nitrogen (mg/L)

Date

LC TN LC Infl TN

Mean 5.6 mg/L TN Median 3.3 mg/L TN

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Hydraulic Loading 0.6 gal/day/ sq. ft (220 gallons/day) Alternately dosed distribution laterals

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10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Total Nitrogen (mg/L)

Date

BLC Total Nitrogen

BLC TN BLC Septic Tank TN BLC Inf TN

Mean 8.0 mg/L TN Median 4.5 mg/L TN

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June 15, 2015 January 16, 2016

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Loamy Sand

Septic Tank Effluent

Silty Sand/ Sawdust 20%

Low pressure dosed distribution lateral

NH3→ NO3

NO3
→ N2(gas)

Sampling port

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Place denitrification layer material (sawdust-sand-silt mix)

Sawdust sand-silt mix

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“Marry” denitrification layer material to nitrification material layer

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Excavate to base

Denitrification layer Nitrification layer

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Low-pressure distribution piping placed Field area levelled and made ready for distribution piping

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Grass planted over soil treatment area Final grade over soil treatment area

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Grass planted over soil treatment area

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10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Total Nitrogen (mg/L)

Date

Silt and Influent TN

Silt Sump TN Influent TN Silt Port 1 TN Silt Port 2 TN

Mean 4.9 mg/L TN Median 4.1 mg/L TN

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Cover 6-8” Nitrify 18” Denitrify 18”

System Profile < 48” Low pressure time dosed shallow drainfield

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Loamy-sand sawdust mix denitrification layer Loamy-sand nitrification layer Sand base

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GeoMat low-pressure dosed field

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Leveled soil treatment unit prior to placement of low-pressure piping

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Cover 6-8” Nitrify 18” Denitrify 18”

System Profile < 48” Low pressure time dosed shallow drainfield

10 20 30 40 50 60

Total Nitrogen (mg/L)

Date

Hill Denite Total Nitrogen

Hill TN Port 2 TN Port 3 TN Influent TN

SLIDE 30

Cover 6-8” Nitrify 18” Denitrify 18”

System Profile < 48” Low pressure time dosed shallow drainfield

10 20 30 40 50 60

Total Nitrogen (mg/L)

Date

Hill Denite Total Nitrogen

Hill TN Port 2 TN Port 3 TN Influent TN

Started December, 2015

SLIDE 31

Septic tank effluent dispersal

Nitrification Denitrification Final dispersal

Main difference between layering and standard septic systems

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NO3

NO3
NO3
NO3
NO3
Groundwater Flow

NO3

NO3
NO3
NO3
NO3
NO3
NO3
NO3
Septic Tank

Standard leaching trench

SLIDE 33

NO3

NO3
NO3
NO3
NO3
N2(gas)

N2(gas) N2(gas) N2(gas)

Sawdust/Silt mix

Septic Tank Pump Chamber Shallow low pressure dosed drainfield

Groundwater Flow

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It appears that introducing ligno-cellulose into the soil

profile can achieve reductions in total nitrogen from percolating wastewater

Further study needs to be performed to determine the
ptimal design (saturated vs. unsaturated) that

considers costs.

Pilot systems at different-use households need to be

installed and monitored to validate results found at the Test Center.

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Further beta testing with modifications of design that focus on

how simple we can make it and still be effective.

Work with soil scientists to bracket the soil characteristics

necessary

Put together the design manual for system installation.
Identify and address the regulators’ concerns
Install 12 systems in homes
Six seasonal
Three in outwash
Three in moraine
Monitor two years
Create design manual
Save the world

EPA Proposal

SLIDE 36

Questions?

Lawn atop saturated system January 1, 2016