Report - Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

including calibration and validation as needed in 2011. When complete, the dynamic model will
allow for the evaluation of plant capacity and plant operations and will assist in evaluating plant
expansion options. An M&R report detailing the dynamic modeling of the North Side WRP will
be prepared in 2011.
Literature Review on Nitrification Rate. A literature review was completed for
nitrification rate testing. The literature review will aid in the development of a standard
operating procedure (SOP) for a quick determination of nitrification rates. The SOP will be
utilized to regularly track nitrification rates at the District's plants over time and troubleshoot
plant upsets.
Ferrate Disinfection Evaluation. The WTPR Section evaluated a process for wastewater
disinfection using ferrate. Bench scale tests were conducted in the WTPR laboratory to evaluate
the process of ferrate synthesis and application of ferrate for disinfection. The test results
indicate that highly unstable ferrate could be synthesized on site and used for effective
wastewater disinfection. However, the tests also showed that due to the amount of chemicals
required for ferrate synthesis and effective disinfection, the process is not cost effective
compared with chlorination and dechlorination and ultraviolet light.
Potential Energy Savings at Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant Using Anoxic Zone
and at Egan Water Reclamation Plant Using Chemical Enhanced Primary Settling. The WTPR
Section has initiated two full-scale testing projects targeting energy savings at the District plants
in 2009. One project is to introduce an anoxic zone in an aeration tank at the Hanover Park WRP
to reduce aeration, and the other is to use polymer and/or FeCh to enhance settling in the primary
settling tanks at the Egan WRP. During 2010, the WTPR Section worked with the Engineering
Department on developing design parameters through site visits and laboratory bench-scale tests,
and aided the Engineering Department on preparing a scope of work. and contract specifications
under Engineering Department project 06-494-3P. Full-scale testing is expected to commence in
2012.
Responding to Other Requests for Technical Support. In 2010, the WTPR Section
provided the following technical support to other requests.
Support for Studies Relating to Illinois Pollution Control Board Rulemaking on Dissolved
Oxygen Standards for the Chicago Area Waterway System. In support of the studies relating to
the IPCB rulemaking on DO standards for the CAWS, the WTPR Section provided data analysis
on the relation of DO concentrations in the waterway to urban wet-weather runoff and CSO
events. In addition, the WTPR Section participated in an Engineering Department project on
integrated strategy to meet DO water quality standards for the CAWS through attending
workshop discussion and reviewing documents for the project.
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