Ohio EPA selects ClariPhos; for evaluation in algal bloom reduction program
DATE POSTED: April 29, 2021
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected ClariPhos™ rare earth coagulant for evaluation by its H2Ohio Technology Assessment Program (TAP), a state initiative to address harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Lake Erie. A team of industry experts will evaluate ClariPhos for its potential to become an important part of H2Ohio’s water quality toolbox and help improve phosphorus removal at wastewater treatment plants, reduce nutrient loading to water bodies and lessen the intensity or toxicity of algal blooms.
In recent years Lake Erie has experienced more frequent and severe HABs, which threaten the health of people and wildlife as well as local economies. H2Ohio is Governor Mike DeWine’s comprehensive plan aiming to implement holistic, long-lasting solutions that include reductions to phosphorus discharge into Lake Erie and improvements to wastewater infrastructure.
A fast, simple upgrade that saves millions in capital costs.
ClariPhos offers a simple and cost-effective way for wastewater treatment plants to significantly improve phosphorus removal without the need to add costly, energy-intensive filtration equipment. The technology dramatically outperforms conventional aluminum- or iron-based coagulants to achieve an ultra-low phosphorus level of 0.07 mg/L or lower.
ClariPhos can do this because it is made with the rare earth elements cerium and lanthanum. These elements bond more tightly to phosphorus and form a denser, heavier precipitate that settles about two times faster than conventional alternatives. This enables clarifiers to operate more efficiently, reduces carry-over and also lowers sludge volumes.
In most cases, plant operators can simply replace conventional coagulants with ClariPhos to easily and cost-effectively improve the chemical precipitation and settling of phosphorus. ClariPhos requires no special chemical feed equipment and will often work with existing feed pumps. This simple switch can not only enable a plant to achieve regulatory compliance for phosphorus discharge, but it can also help communities to avoid spending millions for costly filtration equipment and ongoing operating costs.
Dozens of treatment plants are already using ClariPhos rare earth coagulant to meet stringent phosphorus targets and lower operating costs from reduced sludge production improved sludge dewatering and decreased sludge hauling and disposal costs.
Case Study:
In one example, a 3.4 MGD municipal wastewater treatment plant in Wisconsin tested rare earth coagulant for its ability to meet a new final water quality effluent limit on phosphorus of 0.075 mg/L. The trial showed that the coagulant alone could consistently reduce phosphorus in the treated effluent to 0.036 mg/L. This result was far superior to what the plant was able to achieve with its conventional coagulant, ferrous chloride, which could only reduce phosphorus to an average of 0.5 mg/L. The switch to rare earth coagulant also eliminated the need to install new nutrient removal equipment—saving an estimated $2.8 million in capital costs—and reduced sludge production by about 35%.
Learn more about the advantages of ClariPhos rare earth coagulant for phosphorus removal.
Read more about H2Ohio TAP.
Contact us to discuss ClariPhos for your wastewater treatment plant.