Publication Date

12-2025

Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)

5-6-2025

Type of Culminating Activity

Thesis

Degree Title

Master of Science in Civil Engineering

Department

Civil Engineering

Supervisory Committee Chair

Sondra M. Miller, Ph.D., P.E.

Supervisory Committee Member

Katherine J. Davis, Ph.D., P.M.P.

Supervisory Committee Member

Natalie M. Hull, Ph.D., P.E.

Abstract

Microorganisms are used in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to transform constituents and depend on dissolved oxygen (DO) for growth. Limitations in traditional treatment methods pose inefficiencies in performance relative to constituent removal. This study involved monitoring the performance of a selected WWTP located in Greenleaf, Idaho that was retrofitted with a high concentration DO delivery system. The WWTP was selected due to its small scale (classified as a minor discharge facility with a design flow <1 MGD) and capability of being retrofitted with a high concentration DO delivery system proprietary to BioSolution Holdings Co., Ltd. This study aimed to monitor the effects of delivering higher DO concentrations in the WWTP in conjunction with validating the performance and function of the retrofitted high concentration DO delivery system. The performance of the selected WWTP was monitored over the course of one year to capture seasonal fluctuations.

Significant changes in WWTP constituent treatment induced by higher DO concentrations were observed at various points within the treatment processes. Monitored parameters included DO, temperature, pH, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate, nitrite, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), ammonia, phosphorus, total and volatile solids, total suspended solids, sludge volume index (SVI) and volume (SV30). Effects of higher bioreactor DO concentrations (>20 mg/L versus <5 mg/L) that this study aimed to validate include improvements in BOD, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal rates, as well as reductions in biosolids generation and bioreactor aeration through traditional methods. Additionally, validation of the high concentration DO delivery system’s performance efficiency (versus conventional methods) can potentially improve existing WWTP performance, while making construction and operation of future WWTPs more economical.

Comments

Gregor Posadas, ORCID: 0009-0003-4541-7379

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18122/td.2468.boisestate

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