Deadline: 25-Jul-23
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is inviting proposals for Advancing Partial Denitrification Anammox (PdNA) Full-Scale Applications.
This project is funded by The Water Research Foundation (WRF) as part of WRF’s Research Priority Program.
This project will address key research gaps and build on WRF’s current work on PdNA including:
- Partial Denitrification Anammox as Alternative Pathway to Achieve Mainstream Short-Cut Nitrogen Removal (5027)
- Mainstream Deammonification with Biological Phosphorus Removal (5095)—EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grant number 84008601-0, When a Detour Becomes a Shortcut: Going Full-Scale with Partial Denitrification/Anammox as an Alternative Strategy for Mainstream Deammonification and Incorporating Biological Phosphorus Removal
Project Objectives
- This project will continue the work of WRF project 5095 by:
- Conducting remaining research and finalizing design and operational guidance for partial denitrification anammox (PdNA) full-scale implementation (integrated and polishing processes).
- Advancing the integration of PdNA with biological phosphorus (P) removal through anoxic uptake of P as the main driver of nitrite production from the proof of principle stage towards full-scale testing.
Funding Information
- Applicants may request up to $250,000 in WRF funds for this project.
- Project Duration: The anticipated period of performance for this project is 2-3 years from the contract start date.
Research Approach
- The intent of this project is to further refine existing guidance for the integrated and polishing process configurations identified in the Practitioner’s Blueprint/Guidance Document (project 5095) along with additional configurations. The project objectives, including key gaps and areas of research advancement, are:
- Conduct remaining research and to finalize design and operational guidance for PdNA full-scale implementation (integrated and polishing processes) by building on current research and addressing key gaps including:
- Understanding and management of internally stored carbon (pilot- and full-scale).
- Pilot- and full-scale testing of first-stage anoxic integrated fixed-film activated sludge configuration (with wastewater carbon, internally stored carbon).
- Pilot- and full-scale testing of PdNA without advanced aeration controls (e.g., ammonia versus NOx), such as step-feed flow optimization.
- Continuation of full-scale testing of PdNA in second anoxic zone.
- Sustainability analysis for including aspects related to build-up of intermediates such as nitrite and nitrous oxide.
- Identification of expected full-scale process performance and reliability of meeting effluent permit limits with each configuration.
- Identification of opportunities for intensification and quantification of capacity gains for each configuration.
- Providing guidance and limitations for facility retrofits for full-scale implementation.
- Developing a checklist of information required to develop a full life cycle cost to implement the particular PdNA process modification. This would include appropriate pre-treatment requirements such as implementation of fine screens, piping modification, control system capabilities, and maintenance of instrumentation. Examples of developing business cases for a minimum of two full-scale implemented modifications should be incorporated into the report.
- Finalizing design guidelines and developing operational process control strategies building on lessons learned from existing full-scale testing.
- Advance the integration of PdNA with biological P removal through anoxic uptake of P by building on current research and addressing key gaps including:
- Identification of current knowledge gaps for integration of denitrifying polyphosphate accumulating organisms (dPAOs) and denitrifying glycogen accumulating organisms into PdNA.
- Pilot-scale testing of approaches to enhance dPAO activity in carbon-efficient PdNA.
- Identification of challenges and additional research needs.
- Conduct remaining research and to finalize design and operational guidance for PdNA full-scale implementation (integrated and polishing processes) by building on current research and addressing key gaps including:
Eligibility Criteria
- Proposals will be accepted from domestic or international entities, including educational institutions, research organizations, governmental agencies, and consultants or other for-profit entities.
- WRF’s Board of Directors has established a Timeliness Policy that addresses researcher adherence to the project schedule. Researchers who are late on any ongoing WRF-sponsored studies without approved no-cost extensions are not eligible to be named participants in any proposals.
For more information, visit The Water Research Foundation.
