Wastewater Ozonation in the U.S.A. – History and Current Status - 1989

Wastewater ozonation has achieved its widest application in the United States of America in the past ten years. Many U.S. facilities designed in the 1970s have manifested significant operational and maintenance problems with the first generation application of ozone technology to wastewater treatment. These problems are reviewed and solutions recommended. The second generation facilities of the 1980s demonstrate higher levels of efficiency, reliability, and operability. The broad application of ozonation to wastewater treatment in the United States of America (U.S.) in the 1970s was carried out with little or no reference to the prior experience of the applications of ozone in the field of drinking water treatment attained in Europe.     

—Review Paper—Current State-Of-The-Art Measurements Of Ozone In The Gas Phase And In Solution

This paper is a critical review and summary of the analytical procedures currently used by operating water utilities to control ozone treatment processes, considering disinfection as well as the many oxidative applications of ozone in water treatment applications. The role of common interferences in the various methods is described.

In operating U S., Canadian, European, and Japanese water treatment plants currently employing ozone as a primary disinfectant, ozone nearly always is followed by the addition of small quantities of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, or chloramine to provide the residual in the distribution system and to act as a secondary disinfectant. Clearly, the analytical procedures used must distinguish between the various species. This review critically presents these various factors and their implication with respect to “true values” of ozone determined under widely varying conditions.     

STATE OF THE ART FOR OZONE U.K. EXPERIENCE

The use of ozone in the U.K. reached a significant level in the late 1960s with a large installation in Scotland for color removal. Some 50 plants were installed in the 1990s for drinking water treatment. Some of these plants had operating difficulties due to the lack of fundamental understanding as to the best practice for application of ozone. Good growth of ozone for swimming pools has occurred with some 2300 installations.     

Operating Strategy To Meet SWTR Disinfection Regulations At The Los Angeles Aqueduct Filtration Plant

Preozonation facilities were installed at the Los Angeles Aqueduct Filtration Plant originally to enhance coagulation assistance (microflocculation). The Surface Water Treatment Rule will amend this primary purpose to meeting disinfection standards. Additional ozone generation equipment and a revised ozone system operating strategy will be required to accomplish these changed objectives. The topics discussed in this paper are the considerations surrounding the development of a successful, cost-effective operating strategy. The strategy proposed herein was based on data collected between January and July 1991. On-line process monitoring plans and automated system control logic are described.     

Effect of Micro-Mixing Conditions on Predictions of Cryptosporidium Inactivation in an Ozone Contactor

The U.S. EPA is considering segregated flow analysis as an alternative calculation method to determine Cryptosporidium parvum inactivation credit in continuous-flow ozone contactors in drinking water treatment facilities. A computer method is presented in which C. parvum inactivation in the reactive flow segment of a hypothetical ozone contactor with a pre-determined residence time distribution is calculated based on the assumption of either completely segregated or completely micro-mixed flow. In a series of computer simulations using typical ozonation conditions in a water treatment facility, inactivation predicted assuming complete segregation was 0.3 to more than 2.0 log greater than that predicted assuming complete micro-mixing, depending on the level of back-mixing, ozone decomposition rate and inactivation level. CFSTR-in-series model predictions of inactivation were between those of segregated flow analysis and micro-mixed analysis. It was concluded that segregated flow analysis calculations may result in significant over-prediction of C. parvum inactivation credit in ozone contactors and should be used with caution.     

Ozone in the United States of America -- State-Of-The-Art

Applications for ozone in the United States have evolved through a lengthy maturation process, which began with drinking water treatment (taste/odor/color removal) in the early 1900s, and grew slowly until acceleration began in the mid-1980s. Although deodorization became a stable market in the 1960s-1970s, these applications were small, for the most part. One of the largest uses for ozone is oxidation of process chemicals in the chemical industry, which began in the USA about the 1940s, and subsequently has spread worldwide. Today, thanks primarily to environmental regulatory pressures which began to impact ozone in the mid-1980s, ozone now is used increasingly in the USA for drinking water treatment and for some municipal and industrial wastewater applications. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the growing importance of ozone (> 200 drinking water plants use ozone today), and has appointed IOA representatives to two of its regulatory development committees as stakeholders. Several U.S. cities have installed or are installing wastewater treatment processes for potable reuse purposes, which include the use of ozone. Three full-scale U.S. pulp bleaching plants use tons/day quantities of ozone. Smaller applications for ozone include water treatment for cooling tower waters (biofouling control), swimming pools and spas, marine aquaria, bottled water disinfection and maintenance of high purity waters in the pharmaceuticals and electronics industries. A new application for ozone is in commercial laundries to reduce energy costs and replace chemicals. In mid-1997, a public declaration was made by an expert panel that ozone is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for contact with foods. This declaration opens the door for ozone to be used in U.S. food processing industries. U.S. research scientists and engineers are at the forefront in studies which define the technical aspects of ozone technologies in a variety of applications employing advanced oxidation, including the treatment of hazardous wastes, groundwater remediation, and process water recovery and reuse in the semi-conductor industry.     

Ozone Treatment of Small–Size Swimming Pools and Whirlpools

Current pool water treatment system designs tend to ignore the relationships between rates of disinfection of microorganisms present and performances of the filters. In this paper, the two subjects will be discussed, with relationship to small swimming pools and whirlpools (spas), emphasizing the problems arising when operating at different system volumes. The effects of proper and improper disinfection upon the operating characteristics and performances of pool and whirlpool water filters will be presented. Furthermore, conditions reducing the trihalomethane concentrations are compared. The role of ozone in overcoming current problems in these two areas will be discussed, in particular, the recent use of compact high frequency ozone generators is examined.     

Comparing Different Designs and Scales of Bubble Columns for Their Effectiveness in Treating Kraft Pulp Mill Effluents

The experimental results obtained in three different types of ozone contactors were analyzed to study the effects of the ozone contactor design, configuration, operating conditions, and scale-up on the: (1) ozonation process induced reduction efficiencies of color, AOX, COD, and TOC from biologically treated Kraft pulp mill effluents; (2) the increase in biodegradability of this type of wastewater; and (3) the dynamics of the ozone gas absorption process. The three types of ozone contactors included: (1) an extra-coarse-bubble diffuser ozone contactor; (2) an impinging-jet ozone contactor; and (3) a fine-bubble diffuser ozone contactor. Similar treatment levels were achieved in those ozone contactors although the impinging-jet bubble column was more effective in treating Kraft pulp mill effluents due to its smaller reactor volume and lower off-gas ozone concentrations. Consequently, the operating costs of an ozonation process and ozone off-gas destruction facilities will be greatly reduced when using the impinging-jet bubble column design for treating Kraft pulp mill effluents.     

A Review of Ozone Systems Costs for Municipal Applications. Report by the Municipal Committee – IOA Pan American Group

Ozone has proven effective in improving water treatment plant performance, increasing customer satisfaction, and meeting increasingly stringent regulatory requirements. The benefits include disinfection; reducing chlorine disinfection by-products; micro-coagulation; enhanced filter performance; biological filtration; oxidation of iron, manganese, sulfide, taste- and odor-causing compounds, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). Despite the effectiveness of ozone in water treatment, a perception remains that ozone may be too expensive for consideration at many water treatment facilities. This paper presents an evaluation by the Municipal Committee of the International Ozone Association (IOA-MC) that aims to provide a realistic assessment of the current capital and operating costs of ozone in the North American water treatment practice. A general strategy is proposed for developing preliminary estimates of ozone capital and operating costs that could be used by engineers and/or owners for planning purposes. The information presented may benefit utilities, managers, and engineers engaged in the evaluation of treatment options.     

臭氧-生物活性炭技术

介绍了臭氧-生物活性炭技术工作原理及其在国内外的发展现状,提出了该项技术在应用中的局限性,并提出了此项技术的一些改进方法。     

Ozone Treatment of Secondary Effluent at U.S. Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

Ozone is a strong oxidant used to treat a variety of constituents in potable water, wastewater, water reuse, and industrial water treatment applications. Ozone is effective at oxidizing a wide range of organic and inorganic compounds and disinfection. Well-known in potable water treatment, with about 400 US installations and 3,000 world-wide, ozone has limited application at wastewater treatments, with less than 10 operating facilities in the US. The ability of ozone to significantly reduce low level concentrations of trace organic compounds, including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and other emerging contaminants have increased interest in applying ozone in potable water and wastewater treatment. Treating at the point source discharge rather than the water supply intake may be more effective. A recent American Water Works Research Foundation (AwwaRF) report indicated high removals of many EDCs and PPCPs at typical disinfection doses. Several wastewater utilities have installed or are in the process of installing ozone to treat secondary effluent. These utilities are using ozone in a variety of ways: as a primary disinfectant, for treatment of microconstituents, and in combination with other processes (e.g. membranes and UV) to produce high-quality water for indirect potable reuse (IPR). The different applications, treatment goals and basis of process selection are compared and contrasted. Secondary benefits of ozone treatment of secondary effluent, including the use of off-gas in biological treatment is also discussed.     

Soy protein foods in U.S. assistance programs

Soy protein food products occupy an important place in both U.S. overseas and domestic food assistance programs. In the overseas food donation program the products serve as the source of protein for the fortification of conventional processed commodities—wheat flour, corn meal, rolled oats, bulgur, and sorghum grits—and as a major source of protein in several cereal soy products designed for special use as child food supplements. Acceptance of these products has been good and more than 1 billion lb. of soy-fortified foods were distributed in the overseas program during July 1, 1972-June 30, 1973. In domestic food assistance programs, soy protein foods which meet U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements have been introduced into both school lunch and breakfast programs and also are distributed to needy families. Two products, textured soy protein and protein-fortified enriched macaroni, are permitted to meet part of the meat requirement in the Type A school lunch. In the school breakfast program, soy protein is a permitted ingredient in protein-fortified foods such as doughnuts, cake-like baked products, and cereal-fruit products. They were introduced primarily to meet the need for nutritious food items that require no kitchen facilities to prepare and are convenient to serve in schools that lack food service facilities. Specifications for the various food products are presented.     

Design Considerations for Cost-Effective Ozone Mass Transfer in Sidestream Systems

Ozone dissolution system design is important for meeting transfer efficiency (TE) goals. Large sidestream pump flow (L) and high venturi inlet pressure improves TE but increases operating cost. Ozone TE was examined at a 25 gpm (97-Lpm) pilot-scale sidestream system with (SS_w-dg) and without (SS_wo-dg) degas separation. Under constant ozone dose conditions, process operating parameters were varied including sidestream gas/liquid (G/L) ratio, venturi-inlet water pressure, venturi-outlet water pressure, feed gas pressure, and ozone gas concentration. Performance results included determination of TE, ozone exposure (CT_HDT), and hydraulic detention time (T_HDT). Several design aspects of sidestream ozone systems were examined to improve mass transfer by using remixing devices, protecting ozone gas piping from corrosion, calculating sidestream ozone residual, and driving force for mass transfer. Moisture contamination of ozone supply lines may cause corrosion and/or decomposition of ozone gas that releases heat and destroys ozone. Ozone gas piping design is critical to prevent trapping water that might enter gas pipe during power outage or when units are offline. During plant operation below design flow, multiple constant speed pumps or variable speed pumps were evaluated to reduce overall operating costs.     

Cost Savings in the Ozone Treatment of Paper Mill Effluents Achieved By a Closed-Loop Ozone Control System

Control strategies were created to reduce the operating costs of ozone stages of effluent treatment plants in paper mills as well as to improve the quality of the effluent. Biologically treated effluents from five mills were subjected to laboratory and pilot tests. All COD target values could be reached and maintained with SAC-based control strategies. Disturbing events were compensated with a deviation of only 2% within maximum 3.1 volume exchanges, depending on the kind of event. The SAC (spectral absorption coefficient) was found to be highly suitable for controlling the ozone dosage. In a SME paper mill, 20% of the operating costs of an ozone plant can be saved. The return on investment for such a system is thus about 8 months.     

Ozone Application for the Improvement of UASB Reactor Effluent. II. Toxicity Evaluation

In order to improve the effluent from domestic sewage treatment through an anaerobic process in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB), CETESB - The Environmental Protection Agency for Sao Paulo State, and FILSAN - Equipamentos e Sistemas S/A, developed a joint program to study the effectiveness of ozonation of the effluent as a post-treatment process. As the effluents treated by this system could contain toxic chemicals, Daphnia similis toxicity tests were applied. Two ozonation conditions were evaluated: (1) contact time of 30 min, mean ozone application dosage of 15.9 mg/L; (2) contact time of 50 min, mean ozone application of 16.7 mg/L. Toxicity reduction occurred for all samples but one. The ozonation system eliminated the residual toxicity associated with the effluent treated by the UASB reactor.     

Review of Operating Experience Of Ozone Systems In Municipal Plants In The United States

The treatment chemical ozone has now been successfully used in the United States in municipal water and wastewater plants for many years. To insure continuous, successful operations of these applications, operating obstacles had to be dealt with and overcome.

In this paper, examples of field operating problems and their solutions are described. The experiences at specific municipal water and wastewater installations are reviewed in detail. Discussed for each example are : the background and effects of the problem, the problem-solving process, and the eventual resolution of the problem. The examples include simple unit operations to entire processes.

By observing the ozone installation's operation several years after start-up, the design of future ozone systems can be improved and operating problems minimized.     

Ozone Treatment of Cooling Water: Results of a Full-Scale Performance Evaluation

This paper is the first technical status report of a continuing evaluation of ozone treatment for cooling tower water. Data will be presented that illustrate the results of ozone treatment in a 3,400-ton air-conditioning cooling system at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which is operated by Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy. Heat transfer data and equipment inspections confirm that a threshold surface temperature exists, below which heat exchange surfaces remain free of mineral scale. Heat exchange surfaces that exceed the temperature threshold experience calcium carbonate scaling. The temperature threshold effect may explain why ozone treatment has been reported as a successful treatment for air conditioning cooling towers, but has not been successful in higher temperature process cooling systems. Plans for future ozone investigations will be discussed.     

Residual vinyl chloride levels in U.S. PVC resins and products: Historical perspective and update

The vinyl industry made dramatic changes in the production of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) resin in the 1970s to comply with regulations governing workplace exposure and environmental emissions of vinyl chloride monomer (VC or VCM), after it was recognized that vinyl chloride was a human carcinogen. These changes required extensive and costly modifications to the monomer and polymer production processes and the development of resin formulations from which residual monomer could be removed more easily from the polymerized matrix. Reductions of vinyl chloride emissions from PVC production facilities continued over the past two decades, driven both by voluntary initiatives to optimize the manufacturing process and by regulatory requirements, such as state operating permit limits related to incremental production expansion or modification at existing facilities. Surveys of recent resin data, reviews of pipe product certification reports, and recent food package testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) show that current residual vinyl chloride monomer (RVCM) levels in all grades of PVC resin typically are significantly below acceptable levels and that resulting fabricated products are typically at nondetect levels to very low parts‐per‐billion (ppb) levels. J. VINYL. ADDIT. TECHNOL., 11:65–69, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Small-Scale Membrane Systems for the Recovery and Purification of Water

Abstract

The availability of high-quality membrane modules in a variety of configurations has expanded the range of potential applications for membrane systems. These expanded capabilities make it possible to use membrane systems to solve separation problems that previously could not have been addressed using membrane-based technology. This paper describes the development of three innovative membrane systems for water-recovery applications for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the U.S. military. For each membrane system, the separation problem is outlined, the technology and system are described, the operating data are reported, and potential spinoff applications are discussed.     

Water Quality Improvements with the Use of Ozone at the Los Angeles Water Treatment Plant

At 600 mgd (2,270 ML/day), the recently completed Los Angeles Aqueduct Filtration Plant (LAAFP) is one of the world's largest water' treatment facilities utilizing ozone for pretreatment. The treatment process features direct filtration at rates of up to 13.5 gpm/ft² (33 m/h). Under the optimized full-scale operation, preozonation has resulted in significantly reduced THM levels and very low effluent turbidity with low operating costs.