Comparative economic analysis of the impacts of mean cell retention time and denitrification on aeration systems

Biological nutrient removal is practiced in various modifications of the activated sludge process (ASP) throughout the world. This paper compares conventional, nitrifying-only and combined nitrifying/denitrifying (NDN) processes. The authors performed 113 oxygen transfer efficiency measurements with the off-gas method over 20 years. This dataset was analysed and used to perform an economic analysis for three example scenarios, one for each layout (conventional, nitrifying-only and NDN). Field oxygen transfer efficiency and relevant plant operative costs and credits were considered (i.e., aeration cost, sludge disposal cost, methane production credit). The conclusion is that NDN operations always have lower aeration costs, and generally have the lowest combined operating cost. Reduced aeration costs result because of improved aeration efficiency at higher mean cell retention times and the use of nitrate as an electron acceptor. The improved aeration efficiency overcomes the increased oxygen required at higher cell retention time due to cell decay.