Pilot Scale Demonstration of Anammox Technology of Treatment of High Strength Ammonia Wastewater
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector
Water
Project value$218,400
Project Type
Pilot Project
Sub Sector
Wastewater Management and Treatment
Grant amount$107,200
Program type
GMF
Municipality
City of Abbotsford, BC
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
153,524
Project timeline
2010 - 2012
Project number
10342
Description
The City of Abbotsford proposes to test a novel biological treatment process to treat centrate (ammonia-rich wastewater) at the JAMES Wastewater Treatment Plant. The conventional technology presently employed by James plant is costly and energy-intensive and releases large quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The Anammox process is a cost-effective alternative that results in a significant decrease in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
The proposed field test will build upon a bench-scale test that took place at the University of British Columbia. It will include a test program design, a pilot design, and the construction, operation and optimization of a pilot scale sequencing batch reactor at the JAMES Wastewater Treatment Plant. An evaluation matrix will be developed in order to compare the performance of the Anammox treatment system with conventional processes. The evaluation will include a life cycle analysis incorporating economic, environmental and social factors. The results of the test will be presented to academic communities and the public via conference proceedings and journal articles.
If the pilot test is successful, the City of Abbotsford will proceed with the full-scale implementation of the Anammox treatment system at the JAMES plant. This would allow the City to reduce the plant’s ammonia discharge by 49 tonnes per year (74 per cent), thereby minimizing its impact on the receiving waters of the Fraser River. Furthermore, the City would reduce the plant’s greenhouse gas emissions by 611 tonnes per year (84 per cent).
As the first Anammox-based treatment system in Canada and North America, the project would establish a baseline for Anammox centrate treatment that could be followed by other municipalities.
(Project description from original funding application)
Applicant
City of Abbotsford, BC