The goal of this project was to design a system for reducing nocardioform bacteria within the Sturbridge Wastewater Treatment Plant in Sturbridge, MA. Nocardioform bacteria at the plant cause foaming in the clarifier and reduce the ability to recover ballast from the foam. Foam samples from the surface of the aeration basin were chlorinated and then analyzed for settleability and cell characteristics via microscopy. A hypochlorite feed design option was chosen to inactivate and separate nocardioform bacteria within a concentrated scum manhole after aeration basin surface wasting. Recommendations for system run-time, the installation of the system, and measuring the success of the system once implemented were provided at the conclusion of this report.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Dudley, Emily Patricia
• Woodward, Kimberly H
• D'Angelo, Nicole M

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-022412-173746

Advisor

• Plummer, Jeanine D.
• Bergendahl, John Andrew

Year

• 2012

Sponsor

• Tighe & Bond, Inc.

Date created

• 2012-02-24

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright