Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies/John Meunier, Inc. has announced the start-up of its first BIOSTYR biological aerated filter in Canada at the Ravensview Wastewater Treatment Plant in Kingston, Ontario.
Biological aerated filters (BAFs) are compact treatment processes that combine filtration and aerobic/anoxic treatment using a fixed-film biological degradation process. The BIOSTYR BAF uses floating polystyrene media comprised of individual spherical beads as the support for biofilm growth. Wastewater is fed in an upflow manner through the BIOSTYR, resulting in biological abatement of the pollution as well as physical filtration of suspended solids. Space restrictions at the construction site necessitated a compact and efficient biological treatment technology.
”We validated the performance of the BIOSTYR process through pilot scale testing before we went ahead with the purchase,” said Allen Lucas from Utilities Kingston, “and we were very satisfied with the performance of the technology as well as with the level of support and service that we received from Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies/John Meunier, Inc.”
As a result, a total of eleven BIOSTYR cells are being implemented to remove dissolved contaminants and provide high-level treatment, making this one of the largest BAF applications in North America for secondary treatment.
“The BIOSTYR technology was a perfect fit for the Ravensview upgrade project in Kingston, but we pride ourselves on having a vast array of technologies that we can call upon to respond to each of our clients’ specific needs,” said Dave Oliphant, regional sales manager for Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies/John Meunier, Inc.
“Once completed, Ravensview will ensure superior treatment of Kingston’s wastewater before discharge to Lake Ontario at the head of the St. Lawrence River, returning to the water its natural resource quality for the benefit of the environment and downstream communities,” explained Jim Keech, president and CEO of Utilities Kingston.
The construction of the concrete cells, the aeration grids, the instrumentation and control were completed over the course of the summer of 2008 and finished in August 2008. The start-up of the biological process started in September 2008 and has gone very well. The seeding of the biological process was very rapid; carbonaceous pollution removal was established one week after start-up and nitrification three weeks after start-up.
Process performance tests commenced on Feb. 17, 2009, consisting of a three-day trial that successfully demonstrated the process design. Further testing and verification of the process will continue over the next 12 months.
Source: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies/John Meunier, Inc.
