1. Assessment of MBR for Bacteria & Nitrogen Reduction
Team 1
Emily Fauver, Nikko Baez, Camryn Davis, Lindsey Pressler

2. Abstract
Samples were collected from an onsite aerobic wastewater treatment system.
Wastewater was taken from tank 1 (raw sewage) and tank 2 (Bio Microbics membrane bioreactor).
The wastewater samples were tested at the Aqua-Tech lab and at the HEEP lab for analysis.
The research was performed to determine the effectiveness of the Bio-Microbics tank for removing bacteria and nitrogen from the raw sewage tank.

3. Background Information
A septic tank's purpose is to separate solids from the wastewater and decompose solid material to allow the effluent to go to the drainfield.
MBR separation removes solids and microorganisms from the treated water by membrane filtration units, which pull water through small pores on a membrane.
MBRs remove biodegradable organics, suspended solids, and pathogenic organisms, providing sanitation of the effluent with some removal of fecal coliform.

4. Literature Review on Bacteria Removal
E. coli is used as an indicator for wastewater evaluation of fecal coliform and bacteria.
The MBR is an advanced treatment for disinfection because filtration removes the microorganisms in the wastewater.
MBRs can efficiently remove bacteria and viruses mostly or completely when operating in appropriate conditions.
The removal of bacteria increases when biomass and biofilm are developed in the system.

5. Literature Review on Nitrogen Removal
Nitrogen is removed by reducing nitrate to nitrogen gas through the process of anoxic denitrification.
The MBR improves the nitrification capability of the activated sludge.
Studies have shown that a majority of the TKN can be nitrified to NO3.
Most of the ammonium is nitrified to nitrate in the aerobic period
The nitrate is completely denitrified in the anoxic period.
Anoxic waters are depleted of dissolved oxygen.

6. Materials & Methods: Sample Procedure
Used grab sampling method for collection
Some tests were performed immediately in the field
Other samples were iced to prevent contamination and enable lab testing
Full PPE was worn in the lab, gloves and goggles in the field

7. Materials & Methods: Sample Analysis
Nitrate, pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, and chlorine were tested promptly in the field with portable testing equipment
Free chloride, turbidity, E.coli, coliform, and total nitrogen and were tested in the lab.

8. Removal Rates and Percent Treatment
MBR significantly reduced the presence of bacteria, which in turn reduced the BOD
Nitrogen was not noticeably reduced
Percent Reduction
E.Coli %
BOD
TSS TN
Overall treatment

9. Log Reduction
Log Reduction is a 10-fold (one decimal) or 90% reduction in the numbers of live bacteria.
Log Reduction
E.Coli
BOD
TSS TN

10. Table Averages for Field, HEEP, and Aquatech Results

11. Table Averages for Field, HEEP, and Aquatech Results

12. Trends, Relationships, & Correlations: Nitrate Field Tests

13. Trends, Relationships, & Correlations: TKN and E Coli HEEP Tests
69.95% Treatment Reduction
Hey Sorry I need to add

14. Trends, Relationships, & Correlations: TKN and E Coli Aquatech Tests

15. Trends, Relationships, & Correlations: TKN and E Coli Plots

16. Trends, Relationships, & Correlations: TKN and E Coli Plots

17. Statistical Analysis
Bacteria and Nitrogen amounts found in the HEEP lab and AquaTech lab.
E. coli HEEP lab average
tank 1
tank 2
127.85
E. Coli AquaTech average
tank 1
tank 2
3.6
Total N HEEP lab average
tank 1
tank 2
Total N AquaTech average
tank 1
tank 2
43.26
45.01

18. Statistical Analysis
The combined data was calculated by averaging lab data together, then aquatech data together, and then averaging the two numbers.
Combined Data
Tank 1
Tank 2
E. Coli
65.725
BOD
67.5 1
TSS
128.5 12 TN

19. Results
In tanks 1 and 2:
The total Nitrogen values found in the HEEP lab are lower than the total Nitrogen values found in the AquaTech lab.
The E. coli values found in the HEEP lab are higher than the E. coli values found in the AquaTech lab.

20. Summary/Conclusions
The aerobic respiration that occurs in tank 2 does in fact increase microbial growth which aids in the reduction of nitrogen and bacteria within the MBR tank.
Although there were differences in the values HEEP and Aquatech labs got from the samples tank two was usually the lower value.
Tank two is effective at bacterial and nitrogen reduction from tank one

21. References
HACH Company. (2017). Nitrogen, Simplified TKN (s-TKN™). Retrieved from ae1df1bb277d9ad7.pdf