Nitrogen Control
The Algal Turf Scrubber® (ATS) can be designed and constructed to meet a wide range of nitrogen reduction goals. ATS™ units have been successfully applied to surface water, agricultural runoff, and domestic wastewater with total nitrogen concentrations ranging from 1-18 parts per million (ppm).
Whether your treatment objective is nitrogen load reduction to meet TMDL requirements or to reduce wastewater discharge concentrations to below current Advanced Wastewater Treatment Standards (AWT), Algal Turf Scrubber® systems can be optimized to meet the most stringent water quality goals.
Designed to operate at hydraulic loading rates of 200-400 cm/day, Algal Turf Scrubber® systems can annually remove from 500 to over 8,000 pounds of nitrogen per process acres for a wide range of point and nonpoint source applications.
Annual nitrogen removal rates of over 6,400 pounds per acre of treatment area have been achieved while treating stormwater runoff in the Lake Okeechobee watershed. When compared to large constructed treatment wetlands operated under similar nitrogen inflow concentrations, the Algal Turf Scrubber® was able to remove over 200 times more nitrogen per acre of treatment area.
Phosphorus Control
Phosphorus is directly removed by the Algal Turf Scrubber® through plant uptake and filtration. Patented system design and operational processes enhance natural chemical precipitation, increasing the algal turf’s ability to remove phosphorus. Algal biomass is routinely harvested, which maintains the algae in an accelerated growth phase and provides sustainable phosphorus recovery.
When phosphorus load reduction is the primary objective, Algal Turf Scrubber® systems have shown areal removal rates far in excess of those achieved within both natural and constructed treatment wetland systems. For facilities permitted to meet effluent concentration standards, Algal Turf Scrubber® units have proven effective at reducing phosphorus to natural background levels.
The Algal Turf Scrubber’s® patented biomass management process allows for effective biomass recovery and processing. The net result is a process that is more cost-effective than chemical treatment without the production of hard to handle chemical sludge.
Annual phosphorus removal rates of over 800 pounds per acre of treatment area have been achieved while treating stormwater runoff in the Lake Okeechobee watershed. When compared to large constructed treatment wetlands operated under similar phosphorus inflow concentrations, the Algal Turf Scrubber® was able to remove up to 75 times more phosphorus per acre of treatment area.
Learn more about additional uses of the Algal Turf Scrubber® or contact us with your questions.