By Prof. Bob Andoh

Across the United States, wastewater treatment plant operators face a common problem that threatens the effectiveness of their plants. It’s grit. Grit erodes mechanical equipment and accumulates in channels and process chambers causing capacity and operational problems. Grit accumulation in primary and secondary process basins diminishes a plant’s performance, reduces its treatment capacity, and increases operational and maintenance costs. Grit is a continuous and common problem, which impacts treatment plants worldwide. However, the solution which will most effectively remove it can vary by plant.

By Prof. Bob Andoh  

We are disconnected from the water cycle, and today we are seeing the horrific impacts of this disconnect. Contaminated water causes 1.7 million deaths a year around the world. Industrial pollutants are being discharged into aquifers, many of which cause long-term health problems.

These harmful impacts should come as no surprise when you consider how humans have historically addressed water problems. We’ve always responded to the one imminent issue that manifested itself. At the dawn of the industrial revolution, we cast contaminants out of sight into our rivers. When the rivers became polluted, we developed treatment plants. Now as treatment plants become more effective we need to find a way to properly dispose of the biosolids that are pulled from the contaminated water. Moreover, new classes of materials and chemicals are constantly being produced, and we are only now becoming aware of which ones have adverse impacts. We need a more forward-thinking approach to keeping water safe.

By Robert Y.G. Andoh and Adam Neumayer

Membrane technology is an innovative, compact solution to the age-old wastewater treatment problems of effluent quality and footprint. Membranes, which combine clarification, aeration and filtration into a single process, are noted for their ability to consistently deliver a high quality effluent in a cost-effective manner in the confines of a small footprint.

Although membrane bioreactors (MBRs) offer many advantages, the membranes are sensitive to abrasive materials, such as fine grit which can erode the equipment to the point where it no longer functions. Additional pretreatment measures are required to provide membrane plants with a higher level of protection from fine grit.