Nutrifeed M/MP and Ammonia Reduction Case Study
When a rendering industry customer faced significant ammonia compliance challenges, Nutrifeed MP provided a practical and effective solution that transformed treatment plant performance.
Nutrifeed M/MP is widely recognised for improving activated sludge settleability and final effluent quality. In addition, it has been proven to reduce ammonia concentrations in wastewater treatment plants with low bicarbonate alkalinity, enhancing nitrification performance across a range of effluent types, e.g. pharmaceutical, slaughter, rendering, dairy, etc.
A client from the rendering/slaughter industry approached Enva with an ammonia problem. The client operated under an EPA IPPC licence, which stipulated a maximum ammonia concentration of 10 mg/L in the final effluent discharge. However, routine monitoring indicated persistent non-compliance, with ammonia concentrations in the final effluent consistently exceeding 100 mg/L.
Following a detailed investigation of the effluent system, Enva retrieved samples of activated sludge for laboratory trials. Results indicated that the addition of Nutrifeed M/MP dramatically reduced ammonia levels. Based on the laboratory trial results, a full-scale plant trial was initiated to validate the effectiveness of Nutrifeed M/MP under operational conditions.
A trial was conducted for the duration of 28 days. The effluent treatment plant consisted of an inlet screen, balance tank, dissolved floatation unit, anoxic zone, aeration system and clarifier.
A total of 5,700 kg of Nutrifeed MP was applied over the duration of the trial to assess its impact on process performance and effluent quality. The dissolved oxygen level in the aeration system was maintained at 1.5 mg/L. A stable aeration basin pH of 7.0 was maintained throughout the trial period.
The average mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentration was 4,750 mg/L, while the average influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) to the effluent treatment plant over the 28-day assessment period was 6,624 mg/L.
Key operational and performance data are summarised in the table here. Nutrifeed Case Study TABLE 1
The 28-day trial demonstrated that Nutrifeed MP significantly improved ammonia removal performance within the biological treatment process. Despite highly variable influent ammonia concentrations, ranging from 110 mg/L to 460 mg/L, final effluent ammonia levels were progressively reduced from an initial concentration of 131 mg/L to consistently below 1 mg/L by Day 15 onwards.
This improvement was achieved while maintaining stable operating conditions, including a dissolved oxygen concentration of 1.5 mg/L, an aeration basin pH of 7.0, and an average MLSS concentration of 4,750 mg/L. The results indicate that Nutrifeed MP enhanced nitrification capacity and process stability, enabling effective ammonia oxidation even under fluctuating influent load conditions.
Overall, the trial demonstrated that Nutrifeed MP is an effective operational tool for reducing effluent ammonia concentrations, improving treatment plant performance, and supporting compliance with stringent discharge consent limits. Its application offers wastewater treatment operators a practical solution for optimising biological nutrient removal and maintaining consistent effluent quality.
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Nutrifeed M and Nutrifeed MP are two formulations of the same product, developed to provide operational flexibility. Nutrifeed M is supplied as a liquid formulation to facilitate pumping, storage and dosing, while Nutrifeed MP is supplied in powder form for applications where dry product handling is preferred. Both formulations deliver the same treatment benefits and performance characteristics.
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