Synopsis
The Plant receives domestic sewage water from the residential complexes with no industrial waste being added in the network. The Treated water from the Sewage Treatment Plant is to be used for Irrigation and Landscaping purposes as Technical Sewage Effluent (TSE) however the presence of Ammonia Nitrogen in the Treated water above the permissible limits has rendered its usage. The quantification of Reduction of Ammonia Nitrogen by the usage of Bio Organic Catalyst would be measured and quantified to confirm its effectiveness at the plant.
Methodology
The Bio Organic Catalyst (BOC) dosage has been calculated based on the organic Loading for the Sewage Treatment Plant. The organic loading is determined by doing a Water Analysis and recording the Biological Oxygen Demand for the Sewage inlet. With intermittent cyclic and peak loadings along with shock influent flow to the plant the process equipment’s had limitations in the treatment.
Dosing Plan
To Quantify the impact by the usage of Bio Organic Catalyst it was devised that the operator would review Water Aanalysis of Treated Water generated at the plant and compare it with the trends during the usage of BOC. The Dosage of BOC has been done at 2ppm for the BOD loads of the Sewage Influent.
Results
Frequently Asked Question:
The treatment plant was experiencing challenges managing variable influent conditions—particularly due to intermittent high organic loading and shock hydraulic flows. These fluctuations pushed the system beyond its design capacity, leading to poor nitrogen removal and inconsistent effluent quality.
From a technical perspective, these operational stresses suppressed aerobic microbial activity and destabilized the nitrification-denitrification cycle, especially in zones with limited oxygen availability. A catalyst was introduced to improve biological stability and oxygen dynamics without altering the plant’s physical infrastructure.
The dosing was strategically calculated based on the organic load—measured by the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the incoming sewage. A concentration of 2 ppm was selected to match the BOD profile, ensuring optimal microbial response without oversaturation.
Technically, this method aligns with proportional dosing principles, where the catalytic input correlates directly with organic load demand. This ensures that the oxygen transfer enhancement and enzymatic activity remain synchronized with real-time influent characteristics.
Operators monitored changes in key indicators—ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N), total nitrogen (TN), and general effluent clarity. Treated water was tested regularly and compared to baseline data recorded prior to catalyst introduction.
From a performance analysis standpoint, reductions in NH₃-N and TN signal restored nitrification efficiency and increased microbial conversion rates. These metrics provide a reliable basis for assessing the effectiveness of biological augmentation under non-steady flow conditions.
Within 30 days, ammonia nitrogen in the treated water was reduced by 87%, and total nitrogen decreased by 70%. By day 45, ammonia nitrogen consistently remained below 5 ppm, significantly improving compliance with water quality standards.
These results reflect not just accelerated nitrogen removal but also improved oxygen utilization and reduced inhibitory build-up in the system. The catalyst created a more resilient microbial ecosystem capable of responding to daily influent variability.
The catalyst enhanced oxygen transfer efficiency through nano-scale oxygen delivery, which in turn stimulated aerobic microbial populations responsible for converting ammonia into nitrate. Concurrently, organic load was broken down more efficiently, preventing accumulation of materials that typically inhibit nitrifiers.
Technically, this improved the dissolved oxygen gradient across microbial colonies, enabling a more effective nitrification process followed by simultaneous denitrification, all without the need for external carbon sources or pH adjusters.
No physical modifications were needed. The catalyst was introduced seamlessly into the existing process stream, allowing operations to continue without interruption or reconfiguration.
This plug-and-play nature is due to the catalyst’s ability to integrate with existing biological pathways, rather than requiring mechanical aeration upgrades or retrofits. Its impact is biological and biochemical—enhancing what the current infrastructure already facilitates.
Dosing was anchored to the average BOD load, and due to the catalyst’s broad operational flexibility, no real-time adjustments were necessary. Operators simply monitored effluent trends to confirm consistent performance.
The catalyst’s wide operational window allows it to remain effective across a range of organic and hydraulic fluctuations, reducing the need for precision control or responsive re-dosing, which is often required in conventional chemical programs.
Aside from improved nitrogen removal, the plant reported reduced odors, improved sludge handling, and fewer process disturbances. The microbial system appeared more stable and less prone to collapse during peak flows.
This indicates that enhanced oxygenation and enzymatic breakdown not only target nitrogen compounds but also mitigate broader operational issues—such as sludge bulking, anoxic dead zones, and organic overloading—without increasing energy demand.
Yes. By improving biological efficiency and reducing reliance on chemical treatments or emergency pump-outs, operational costs are lowered. Moreover, enhanced effluent stability reduces the risk of regulatory penalties.
Technically, improved oxygen utilization means aeration energy demands are reduced, and better sludge settling reduces solids handling costs—two of the highest cost centers in municipal wastewater treatment.
Absolutely. Facilities experiencing load variability, ammonia non-compliance, or aeration limitations can benefit from this approach. With minimal adjustment to dosing, the catalyst can be applied across a wide range of biological systems.
What makes this approach scalable is its focus on enhancing endogenous microbial activity and oxygen delivery—core parameters in any biological treatment system. Site-specific conditions can be mapped through initial BOD and nutrient profiling to replicate results reliably.