Respirometry is a laboratory tool frequently used by Environmental Business Specialists (EBS) to generate different types of information that we utilize when consulting for our clients. There are several types of respirometry units on the market, each with the ability to generate certain pieces of information yet not all the pieces needed to obtain the […]

A Focus on Aerobic Treatment in Aerated Stabilization Basins (ASBs) There are 2 major types of systems used for wastewater treatment: aerobic and anaerobic systems. Each has different uses along with pros and cons. This particular article focuses on aerobic treatment. Anaerobic treatment is the focus of a companion article written by EBS. Aerobic Treatment […]

A Focus on Anaerobic Treatment There are 2 major types of systems used for wastewater treatment: aerobic and anaerobic systems. Each has different uses along with pros and cons. This particular article focuses on anaerobic treatment. Aerobic treatment is the focus of a companion article written by EBS. Anaerobic Treatment Anaerobic treatment is a process where […]

Environmental Business Specialists (EBS) works with over forty aerated stabilization basins throughout the United States. EBS specializes in monitoring and troubleshooting aerated stabilization basins in the pulp and paper industry. There are several consulting services that EBS provides to help mills evaluate their systems in order to make the necessary changes to stay compliant. Unlike […]

Foaming occurs when air is trapped within a thin film of water. Foam is a natural process of mechanical mixing of aeration but can be aggravated by environmental factors. Foaming in aerated stabilization basins (ASBs) and in activated sludge systems have many of the same drivers. Two of the biggest problems, which are additive in […]

Aerated Stabilization Basin (ASBs) performance can be associated with numerous root causes, both chronic and intermittent. The three main conditions leading to loss of system performance and potential permit violations are discussed below. Temporary upsets due to spills, increased production or high effluent flow rates are frequent occurrences in pulp and paper mills. Unfortunately, the […]

Recent Total Maximum Daily Load restrictions for industrial Waste Water Treatment Plants have Paper Mills concerned about the release of nutrients from the benthic layer in an Aeration Stabilization Basin (ASB). These nutrient releases increase the residuals of nitrogen and phosphorous at the back end of the Aerated Stabilization Basin.   Many industries find nutrient […]

Recent Total Maximum Daily Load restrictions for industrial Waste Water Treatment Plants have Paper Mills concerned about the release of nutrients from the benthic layer in an Aeration Stabilization Basin (ASB). These nutrient releases increase the residuals of nitrogen and phosphorous at the back end of the Aerated Stabilization Basin.   Many industries find nutrient […]

Bacteria are present throughout an aerated stabilization basin, though their form and concentration may differ in the different areas of the ASB. At the front end of the ASB, where the influent enters and there is the highest concentration of BOD, bacterial concentrations are higher and bacteria are dispersed as they are busy consuming the […]

Bacteria are present throughout an aerated stabilization basin, though their form and concentration may differ in the different areas of the ASB. At the front end of the ASB, where the influent enters and there is the highest concentration of BOD, bacterial concentrations are higher and bacteria are dispersed as they are busy consuming the […]

Concern or Curiosity? Part 2 – Thiothrix and Type 021N Mike Foster, Principal Consultant – Environmental Business Specialists, LLC Paul Klopping, Principal Consultant – Callan & Brooks In part one of this series, we discussed the differences between activated sludge and aerated stabilization basins (ASBs) with regard to filamentous bacteria and filamentous bulking. We also […]

Concern or Curiosity? Part 1 – Haliscomenobacter hydrossis Mike Foster, Principal Consultant – Environmental Business Specialists, LLC Paul Klopping, Principal Consultant – Callan & Brooks Filamentous bulking has long been the bane of activated sludge operations. Biomass or sludge bulking is generally defined as mixed liquor with a Settled Volume Index (SVI) of >150 ml/g. […]

Concern or Curiosity? Part 1 – Haliscomenobacter hydrossis Mike Foster, Principal Consultant – Environmental Business Specialists, LLC Paul Klopping, Principal Consultant – Callan & Brooks Filamentous bulking has long been the bane of activated sludge operations. Biomass or sludge bulking is generally defined as mixed liquor with a Settled Volume Index (SVI) of >150 ml/g. […]

In North America, there are predominantly two systems used to biologically treat industrial wastewater — the aerated stabilization basin (ASB or aerated lagoon) and the activated sludge system. These two systems have far more similarities than differences. Both pro ­cesses are based on the utilization of dissolved oxygen by microorganisms in converting organic and inorganic […]