Changes in primary clarifier design and chemical dosing strategy optimize performance

摘要

Although primary clarification often receives little attention, it can be important for overall plant performance, especially for wastewater treatment plants with stringent effluent limits. Primary clarification can help downstream biological processes by removing much of the biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids from wastewater. If chemicals are added, the clarifier also can reduce phosphorus levels. In addition, capturing more primary solids can change the primary-to-secondary ratio in centrifuge feed, thereby improving dewatering performance and reducing the volume of recycled solids in liquid treatment processes. Increasing primary solids also can improve gas production rates during anaerobic digestion.