Pilot to Full Scale Ultraviolet Disinfection at the Suffern Wastewater Treatment Plant
Raul R. Cardenas
Louis A. Ravina
Dennis Lindsey
DOI: 10.2190/BBH5-HE25-LKJQ-2DU2
Abstract
Field and plant evaluations were carried out using three pilot disinfection units to determine the ultraviolet (UV) dosages necessary to meet permit requirements for fecal coliform reductions at the newly expanded Suffern Wastewater Treatment Plant. UV dosages were determined experimentally using bioassay procedures. The experiments permitted evaluation of the effects of flow, UV transmission of the water, lamp spacing, reduced lamp output, and other water quality data. The results of the pilots were used as the basis for defining a target UV dosage of 15,000 μW-sec/cm2 and to write the design performance specification for the full scale UV disinfection unit. The UV unit was designed to treat a secondary effluent of 4 MGD at 50 percent Transmittance and 70 percent lamp output. The newly expanded plant is a trickling filter-activated sludge plant and produces relatively high quality effluent. The UV disinfection unit was installed and became operational in June 1984.
Operating data for the Plant indicate that the UV disinfection units have functioned well and have easily met the required Fecal Coliform discharge levels. Cleaning and other features are discussed. The cost of UV disinfection at the Suffern Facility, at present, is 4 cents/1000 gallons. The reasons for selecting UV are considered. A review of the history and theory of UV and the use of bioassays to determine dosage is presented.
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