Understanding the impact of septicity on wastewater treatment

Lead Research Organisation: CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Water, Energy and Environment

Abstract

Transportation of sewage can lead to the development of septicity. This transforms the character of the sewage and can lead to the formation of odour and methane emissions. Unfortunately, the impact of septicity on wastewater characteristic and how such changes influence treatment efficacy are poorly understood.
Accordingly, this EngD studentship offers an exciting opportunity to explore a very common but massively under explored aspect of sewage treatment. The work will explore the transformations that occur and develop appropriate models of the changing character. The outcomes of this will be translated into impact on the efficacy of sewage treatment through a combination of laboratory testing, pilot plants, site testing and modelling. The work will be linked to analysis of TOTEX, life cycle analysis and robustness to establish the overall business case for implementation.

Planned Impact

Widespread and substantive benefits from the STREAM programme have already accrued to a wide spectrum of stakeholders, many of whom are proactively engaged by the programme. Our outreach activities will be targeted to achieve three objectives: (i) maximise awareness and uptake of research sponsored through the Centre, (ii) promote public understanding of the water management challenges facing society and the science behind candidate solutions, and (iii) stimulate curiosity in water engineering careers. We will promote public consumption of science by providing updates on research work through the 'Streamline' initiative (see Pathways to Impact statement). Dissemination of research outputs and other achievements will be pursued through publication, presentation and promotion. A strong identity for the STREAM programme will be delivered through the project website (www.stream-idc.net).

Strong brand marketing for the STREAM EngD programme is guaranteed through our links with a broad range of sector stakeholders from the UK and beyond (see letters of support). A standardised set of informational material for the programme will be available for use by all partners. Particular attention will be given to raising awareness of the programme amongst SMEs and professionals / institutions outside the UK. We will extend our links with analogous water engineering research and training networks outside the UK to build on our recent success in establishing a funded link with the US 'Re-inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure' programme. We will also continue to play an active role in the Association of Engineering Doctorates and organise joint events with the like of British Water and the Institute of Water to ensure a national profile for the programme. Specific beneficiaries are listed below.

Water supply companies, consultancies, equipment manufacturers and sector SMEs will benefit from being able to leaverage funds to support research, inform the training curriculum, identify promising young engineers for future employment, and coordinate support for both research and training across the sector.

Universities and academic staff will realise significant efficiencies through higher gearing of student/staff ratios. They will also be presented with opportunities to develop new (interdisciplinary) research collaborations and strengthen their relationships with the water sector. A reliable supply of studentships will also provide an environment within which academics can pursue (either unilaterally or across universities) more involved programmes of research that a single studentship would be inappropriate for.

STREAM students are clearly the largest immediate benefactors of the programme. They will have access to a huge range of skills and knowledge across five globally leading academic centres and will develop their professional networks in tandem with their peers and future colleagues. They will benefit from a bespoke programme of activities focused on their career sector of choice and encounter a whole host of development opportunities.

The General Public (initially in the UK but in the longer term elsewhere) will draw advantage from the STREAM programme through the contributions made by STREAM graduates and their research to the effective and efficient operation of a reliable water and wastewater services. We are also providing opportunities for the public to directly engage with the scheme and hope that this will promote wider public understanding of water as a resource and the science and processes that underpin water treatment, distribution and management.

Research conducted under the auspices of the STREAM programme has already generated patentable outputs. Arrangements to exploit future opportunities will be the responsibility of the project host university and the project sponsoring company.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description A new method to quantify the extent of septicity (foul sewage) in sewage has been developed, based on the measurements of commonly measured parameters in the wastewater. This is quite important, as septicity has been historically related to a single parameter, which didn't represent the whole picture of the state of the wastewater.

A novel sensor, which measures the dissolved sulphide in wastewater, has been introduced to the sponsor. The sensors has been trialled at a wastewater treatment plant and has produced very important data. The data has shown that the septicity control chemical used at the site weren't dosed correctly and that the sensors could and should be used to adjust and control the dosing regime of the chemicals.
Exploitation Route -The new method is expected to be used by Thames Water (partner in the project) when assessing their septicity issues and when controlling them.
-The impacts of septicity measured at different wastewater treatment technologies have shown the need to modify the operation when septicity is present in the wastewater.
-Real-time monitoring of sulphide using dissolved sulphide sensors on sewers and wastewater treatment plants has been shown to produce a much more detailed profile of the sulphide concentrations and has been shown to have the potential to be used to control the dosing of septicity prevention chemicals and thus, reduce the overall consumption of chemicals.
Sectors Environment

 
Description The novel dissolved sulphide sensor has been used to identify sources of hydrogen sulphide to avoid concrete corrosion. Furthermore, the septicity scale has been used to classify septicity issues at a sewerage network
First Year Of Impact 2022
Sector Environment
Impact Types Economic

 
Title A septicity scale to be used when assessing septicity issues or when planning for preventative measures 
Description The method consists on measuring septicity as a number in a scale from 0-4, which is calculated from several parameters commonly measured in wastewater, such as, pH, ammonia, soluble COD and sulphide. The septicity value indicates the risk the sampled wastewater has on its conveyance and treatment 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2019 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact No notable impact identified yet 
 
Title Identification of corrosion source by using a novel dissolved sulphide sensor 
Description A method to determine the source of corrosion at a WWTP site was developed by using a novel dissolved sulphide sensor 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact The rising mains to be focused at a inlet chamber were identified by using the novel sulphide sensor 
 
Title Dissolved sulphide prediction model 
Description The data-driven model was developed using a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) to predict the dissolved sulphide concentration at the outlet of a rising main by using as input commonly measured parameters, such as, flowrate and temperature. 
Type Of Material Computer model/algorithm 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact No impacts to date 
 
Description Collaboration with Thames Water 
Organisation Thames Water Utilities Limited
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The collaboration benefited with subject advice for different matters related to septicity. Furthermore, a novel sulphide sensor trial was run at one of Thames Water wastewater treatment plants, which showed the insights of septicity at that particular sewerage system and highlighted the need to better control the septicity control chemical dosing
Collaborator Contribution The partner granted access to sites, so that sampling could be done. It also helped with guidance and shaping the objectives and the direction of the research. They also provided manpower and expertise to be able to install and collect data from the sulphide sensors.
Impact The development of a septicity scale to be used when assessing septicity issues. The application of dissolved sulphide sensors to monitor septicity in the sewer network and at the wastewater treatment plant. The use of dissolved sulphide sensors to control and adjust the dosing of septicity control chemicals. A business case to aid in the selection of the most appropriate septicity control method.
Start Year 2017
 
Description Lunch and Learn presentation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The presentation was delivered to Thames Water innovation members to increase the awareness of the ongoing project. After the presentation several questions were answered and several attendees sent an email to discuss the topic more in-depth.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Presentation at the AQUA 360 2021 conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Provided a presentation at the conference on the impacts of septicity on wastewater treatment
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Presentation at the Ecotechnologies for Wastewater Treatment Conference (EcoSTP 2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact A presentation was provided at the conference about the impacts of septicity on wastewater treatment and how to better manage WWTPs when dealing with septicity
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Presentation at the International Conference on Sewer Processes and Networks (SPN9) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact 50 delegates attendef the presentation at the conference venue, which derived to interesting questions and further discussions afterwards
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL http://www.spn9.dk/