Reusser-Research-to-Reality-The-Madison-MSD-Legacy

Research to Reality The Madison MSD Legacy presented by Steve Reusser, Adjunct Professor, UW-Madison Civil & Environmental Engineering A Longer Perspective  From a great teacher in 1971 Anthony F Gaudy, Jr., Oklahoma State University  “Biological Concepts for Design and Operation of the Activated Sludge Process”, EPA 17090 FQJ, 09/71:  ”It is innovativeness rather than standardization which is needed, and it is innovativeness which is the essence of engineering.”  ”researchers and practitioners have a joint responsibility to narrow the gap in technology”  “complete closure (of the gap) seems impossible to attain the gap is a force for progress in the profession” Process Advancements  Great innovation in nutrient removal, disinfection, endocrine disruptors, energy, biosolids  Biological nutrient removal research and discoveries resulted in new process configurations and patents  Computerized process modeling encouraged the ”explosion”  Consider WERF, LIFT and developments by proactive vendors, consultants, and cities  Madison participated whole-heartedly Applied Research at MMSD fit Gaudy’s ideals  Madison MSD and UW Madison:  Practitioners and Researchers formed partnership -Jim Nemke & Paul Nehm, credit for the “deal”  Almost 50 years of continuous applied research  Average funding - graduate student projects/year: 120 students + or – and counting  Prepared students for careers  New and innovative processes implemented Methodology Developed  Ideas formed  Research and pilot ideas  Implementation  Uh-oh, discover “gotchas”  Research ideas for gotchas  Implement fixes  Repeat as necessary to close “the gap” MMSD/UW Approach Advantages  Accelerated time for research, implementation, and fixing ”gotchas”  Research continuity with MMSD staff and professors  Consultant engineer or vendor liability concerns lessened if design based on MMSD and UW research  Ignoring intellectual property credit perhaps sped process development  Presentation will include some research tidbits and examples from Madison experiences 1980’s Example– UV Disinfection  1st Large Scale Application – well researched Not Easy to Maintain! Replaced in 1996  Internal plugging in screens holding quartz tubes  Acid recirculation needed every weeks for scaling Areas of Emphasis For Past 25 Years – And Perhaps for Next 25 Nutrients - Nitrogen and Phosphorus Changes to the Energy Recovery Equation?  Treat to CNG levels; use for fuel as Janesville  Climate change initiatives, carbon fee and dividend, may stimulate more energy recovery projects, better return on investment Options to Methane Gas Utilization?  Long term idea – Research by Dan Noguera & UWMadison – create beneficial plastics, clothing, fertilizer products from VFA’s  Predicted by Gaudy in 1971  “In the long range, any method of disposal which provides for recycle of carbon via conversion of waste organic carbon to CO2 may become obsolete…organic carbon may need to be recycled for man’s use by a more direct means… it may be a usable byproduct….for production of usable commodities.” Endocrine Disruptors Examples, PCB’s maybe PFAS  Madison’s 120 acres of lagoons were a superfund site with high PCB levels  Idea: Extensive research to study biodegadability of PCB’s  Higher chlorinated congeners did not degrade as readily as lower chlorinated  Current bad guy – PFAS Biodegradable?  Bacteria from an iron and ammonia rich environment may degrade PFAS chemicals? Controls and Personnel – Implementing Research to Reality Idea: Inform/Educate Operators with the PCS Madison on 3rd generation system  2nd and 3rd gen idea: Incorporate help system directly into PCS  control descriptions,  SOP’s (standard operating procedures),  maintenance management information on equipment  Operating efficiencies may justify cost Equipment Information  Purple = out of service  Click on the equipment  Date removed from service  Reason for removal  Work order information Summary -Past 25 Years -Next 25 Years Researchers & Practitioners Share in Innovating  Innovation will continue – and so will risk  MMSD/UW Madison experience  Research collaboration = innovation  Iteration time for idea, research, implementation accelerated  Student career development = tremendous side benefit  Madison is not alone!  Universities, municipalities, consulting engineers, vendors will narrow the gap Appendix MMSD Applied Research Partial Topic Listing                 Ammonia toxicity UV Disinfection Fine bubble diffusers and efficiency Co-digestion of whey Clarification Biological P removal and denitrification Biological odorous air treatment Phosphorus release from WAS Thermophilic and acid phase digestion Digester foaming mitigation Struvite mitigation and nutrient recovery Low dissolved oxygen operation Nitrite shunt Biosolids and plant growth w/ UW-Madison Soils Dept PCB Degradation Many more, many students and professors involved