Enhancing The Performance Of A Wastewater Treatment Plant At A Hotel
As with many treatment plants in Jamaica, the one at this hotel was very old, badly corroded and emanation a foul odour, which indicates the treatment process not being efficient. The hotel was adding bio-enzymes to the system to control the odour but this caused excessive foaming.
From investigation it was found that the bio-enzyme was effective when it was put into the pump sump but caused excessive foaming when added directly into the aeration chamber. The foaming caused depletion in sludge as the hotel is located on the coastline where it is windy. The wind blows away the foam carrying with it the sludge. The foul odour was caused by several factors. There was an uneven distribution of air throughout the aeration chamber, which left anoxic regions. The compressor needed repairs and was not giving sufficient air to the system. The dissolved oxygen in the plant was frequently below the minimum required. There was also a problem with the sludge staying in the clarifier too long and becoming anoxic.
The air distribution system and the flow from the clarifier could not be addressed in the short term as these were design related and needed major expenditure which the hotel was not prepared to spend. The problems with foaming sludge loss and compressor were solved. The odour problem was minimized bur reoccurred every time there was an electricity outage since there was no back-up power supply. Staff education was done on the bio-enzymes and the use of cleaning chemicals. This became important following a major sludge die off in the plant after the house keepers used a lot of acid to clear a blocked drain.
Enhancing The Performance Of A Wastewater Treatment Plant At A Hotel
As with many treatment plants in Jamaica, the one at this hotel was very old, badly corroded and emanation a foul odour, which indicates the treatment process not being efficient. The hotel was adding bio-enzymes to the system to control the odour but this caused excessive foaming.
From investigation it was found that the bio-enzyme was effective when it was put into the pump sump but caused excessive foaming when added directly into the aeration chamber. The foaming caused depletion in sludge as the hotel is located on the coastline where it is windy. The wind blows away the foam carrying with it the sludge. The foul odour was caused by several factors. There was an uneven distribution of air throughout the aeration chamber, which left anoxic regions. The compressor needed repairs and was not giving sufficient air to the system. The dissolved oxygen in the plant was frequently below the minimum required. There was also a problem with the sludge staying in the clarifier too long and becoming anoxic.
The air distribution system and the flow from the clarifier could not be addressed in the short term as these were design related and needed major expenditure which the hotel was not prepared to spend. The problems with foaming sludge loss and compressor were solved. The odour problem was minimized bur reoccurred every time there was an electricity outage since there was no back-up power supply. Staff education was done on the bio-enzymes and the use of cleaning chemicals. This became important following a major sludge die off in the plant after the house keepers used a lot of acid to clear a blocked drain.