Slash sludge disposal costs with ClariPhos™
DATE POSTED: September 22, 2021
ClariPhos™ rare earth coagulant reduces sludge by as much as 50%
Is sludge disposal hauling away too much of your operating budget?
A 2016 report* prepared for the Vermont legislature, relying on national level EPA cost analysis, “estimated that approximately 40% of a wastewater treatment plant’s total annual operating cost is spent on solids management.” That report also predicted a future increase in solids production due to the increased need to reduce the nitrogen and phosphorus contribution from sewage into the surface water basins. This is particularly true for phosphorus (P).
Why do lower phosphorus limits increase sludge?
Unlike nitrogen, which can be effectively removed biologically, phosphorus removal is typically achieved with chemical precipitation. Traditionally, this has been done using iron- or aluminum-based coagulants. But these coagulants can produce significant amounts of sludge especially when phosphorus limits in effluent are extremely low. In some cases, phosphorus precipitation with alum or ferric coagulants can produce 12 to 16 mg/L of sludge for every mg of P removed.
They operate on an adsorption mechanism, typically requiring between a 2.5-to-1 molar ratio and a 4-to-1 molar ratio of iron or aluminum to P. They also create a fluffy floc with high amounts of bound water that is difficult to separate through settling and dewatering processes. The phosphorus, a solids-dispersing agent, suspends these solids, making them more difficult to settle. The result is a sludge that remains high in water content and much more costly to transport and dispose of.
Rare earth elements (REEs) can reduce sludge by as much as 50% compared with iron or aluminum
Cerium, a rare earth element, reacts at a 1-to-1 molar ratio with P to form the mineral rhabdophane. This precipitate has a specific gravity of 4, compared with the specific gravity of iron or aluminum precipitates of between 2.4 to 3.4. Higher density solids settle better, binding less water in the process. To gain a thorough knowledge of how this works, see our white paper.
Bottom line – ClariPhos helps achieve significant sludge reduction and cost savings
One 770,000 GPD facility discharging to a tributary to Lake Erie switched to REE precipitation primarily to meet a stringent aluminum limit by removing aluminum-based coagulants. The change provided immediate compliance with the aluminum limit, but the benefits didn’t stop there. Prior to switching to REE precipitation, the plant operated a belt filter press 8 hrs/day, 5 days/week, with an average solid content of 15%. That required hauling 75, 20-yard sludge containers to a landfill annually.
After switching to REEs, the belt filter press run time was reduced to one 8-hr shift per week, at a solids content of 21%. The number of 20-yard sludge containers landfilled annually dropped from 75 to 31, resulting in a savings of $70,000 per year in sludge hauling costs alone.
Savings achieved after switching from alum to ClariPhos coagulant
| Al | RE | |
| Belt filter press operation | 40 hrs/wk | 8 hrs/wk |
| % solids | 15 | 21 |
| 20-yard sludge containers landfilled/yr | 75 | 31 |
| Sludge hauling cost savings/yr | – | $70,000 |
Are you ready to slash your sludge disposal costs?
Contact us to learn more about how ClariPhos reduces sludge and let the slashing begin.
Learn more about the advantages of ClariPhos rare earth coagulant for achieving ultra-low phosphorus limits and reducing sludge production at your treatment plant.
* A Report to the Legislature on Wastewater Treatment Sludge and Septic Management in Vermont, July 16, 2016, Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation.
Are you ready for a better coagulant for phosphorus removal?
DATE POSTED: December 22, 2020
3 simple steps to test rare-earth coagulant at your plant
New ClariPhos™ rare-earth coagulant is a proven solution to hit phosphorus levels as low as 0.07 mg/L in treated effluent and reduce sludge production by as much as 50% in the process.
Over 50 treatment plants in the US are already using it to comply with tough phosphorus discharge regulations, avoid the need to add tertiary filtration and reduce operating costs.
Testing ClariPhos performance for your plant can be done easily, just by switching your current liquid ferric or alum coagulant to our rare-earth coagulant.
The results will be visible almost immediately since ClariPhos binds more tightly to phosphorus. This produces a denser, heavier precipitate that settles about two times faster what you’re currently using. Your clarifier will perform better, you’ll achieve higher phosphorus reduction and produce significantly less sludge as an added benefit.
Here’s how we’d do it:
1) Jar testing
Simple jar tests with ClariPhos and a small sample of wastewater can quickly demonstrate the effectiveness and anticipated performance of the coagulant at your plant. The results are also used to calculate the dose rate and verify that your current equipment is up to the task. We find that the dosage rates can be significantly lower for ClariPhos as compared to conventional coagulants, so a smaller, more precise feed pump may be needed. If your treatment plant does not currently have a phosphorus removal step, we can also help design and install the process and equipment.
2) Plant assessment
A quick look at the plant’s treatment processes, configuration and performance will enable our wastewater specialist to verify process equipment and select the best feed point for ClariPhos to ensure optimum mixing and retention time.
3) Installation
Replace your existing coagulant with ClariPhos and let the test begin. The duration depends on your plant and the conditions it faces. We recommend that the test go long enough to experience typical variations in flow and loading to collect a good data set.
Download the ClariPhos brochure.
Learn more about ClariPhos rare-earth coagulant for phosphorus reduction and the operational benefits it can bring to your plant.
Contact us to discuss a ClariPhos test at your treatment plant.
Rare earth coagulant helps Hartford, WI achieve stringent phosphorus limit of 0.075mg/L
DATE POSTED: May 22, 2020
When the state of Wisconsin created stringent new water quality standards in 2013 to protect surface waters from eutrophication, about 400 treatment plants received tough new discharge limits for total phosphorus, ranging between 0.5 and 0.04 mg/L.
Though many of the treatment plants already had chemical phosphorus removal systems in place, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) estimated that most would not be able to comply with the new standard without additional equipment such as biological phosphorus removal, sand filtration, rapid mix and flocculation chemical removal or others. Chemical coagulation alone, it was assumed, would not be able to achieve the low phosphorus limit.
One plant, the City of Hartford Water Pollution Control Facility (HWPCF), decided to try Neo rare earth coagulant to see if the chemical could enable it to achieve a new, ultra-low phosphorus discharge permit of 0.075 mg/L. If it worked, the plant would likely be able to avoid spending $2.8 million for new nutrient removal equipment, along with higher annual maintenance and operating costs that would accompany that approach.
HWPCF switched its ferrous chloride coagulant with Neo RE100, and within a three-week equilibration time was able to consistently maintain average total phosphorus in treated effluent from an average influent level of 7.3 mg/L to an average of 0.072 mg/L in final effluent. This was a remarkable achievement since attempts to reach 0.075 mg/L with ferrous chloride were unsuccessful. Even ferrous chloride doses as high as 120 ppm could only reduce phosphorus in final effluent to 0.3 mg/L.
Cold-weather testing with Neo RE100 was also very successful. A study from December to March showed that the rare earth coagulant could consistently reduce average total phosphorus to 0.036 mg/L in final effluent.
Neo RE100 and RE300 are able to achieve this high level of phosphorus removal because it incorporates rare earth elements Cerium and Lanthanum that bind tightly to phosphorus and form a dense precipitate that readily settles out of solution within minutes.
Since switching to Neo RE100, the plant has also experienced better sludge settling, a 35% reduction in solids production and reduced odour in the non-potable water system.
Read the full case study for the Hartford Water Pollution Control Plant and the successful use of Neo RE300 rare earth coagulant.
Learn more about RE300 rare earth coagulant.
Contact us to discuss how Neo RE300 can help you achieve ultra-low phosphorus limits without costly tertiary filtration systems.
The impact of rare earth biosolids as a soil amendment
DATE POSTED: February 27, 2020
The precipitate from chemical phosphorus removal systems typically becomes a component of the total biosolids produced by a wastewater facility. Biosolids containing ferric and alum sludge are often used as a soil amendment to add phosphorus as well as other nutrients.
But if your plant is considering switching to rare earth coagulant to achieve an ultra-low phosphorus target or other operational benefits, how effective will the biosolids be as a soil amendment and how will the rare earth metals impact the plants that will grow in that soil?
To find out, a study was conducted in Wisconsin to compare the availability of phosphorus to corn crops from rare earth biosolids, ferric biosolids and commercial fertilizer. Small plot studies were conducted at four different locations in the state and each one included plots with an untreated control and those that were treated with a commercial P fertilizer, ferric biosolids and rare earth biosolids.
The results showed that the commercial fertilizer increased phosphorus in the soil the most, followed by rare earth biosolids, then ferric biosolids, suggesting that rare earth biosolids provide more available phosphorus than ferric biosolids.
Measurements of corn whole-plant dry matter showed that the yield either increased or was unaffected by the rare earth biosolids. This indicates that soil amendment with rare earth biosolids is not expected to negatively impact the growth and yield of corn.
Since rare earth metals were also found in plants from the untreated control plots, researchers concluded that the application of rare earth biosolids is not adding foreign metals to the soil. The study also suggests that since rare earth concentration in the plant material is not significantly higher than the control, the rare earths are not bioavailable. As a result, the application of rare earth biosolids is not expected to increase the concentration of rare earths in corn beyond what would be found naturally.
Read the full research study.
Learn more about ClariPhos™ rare earth coagulant for phosphorus removal.
Contact us to find out how easy it is to switch your chemical phosphorus removal to ClariPhos rare earth coagulant.
How ClariPhos rare earth coagulant helps keep pH in balance, while also achieving ultra-low phosphorus limits.
DATE POSTED: August 21, 2019
We’re not suggesting that you can use ClariPhos™ rare earth coagulant to control pH. But it’s unique properties mean that it is far less likely to lower the pH of the wastewater system and require the use of pH adjustment with caustic soda or other chemicals.
ClariPhos is a proven way to dramatically reduce phosphorus in treated effluent and achieve levels as low as 0.07 mg/L. This rare-earth technology outperforms conventional coagulants because it binds more tightly to phosphorus and forms a denser, heavier floc that settles more rapidly. By switching to ClariPhos, many treatment plants have avoided the need for costly equipment upgrades to meet stringent phosphorus limits.
ClariPhos is far less acidic than alternatives
ClariPhos has a median pH of 3.5, compared to ferric or alum coagulants that are typically in the pH range of 1.5 to 2.2. This means that these conventional coagulants can be up to 100 times more acidic than ClariPhos.
This dramatic difference in pH is compounded when we consider that the dose rate for ferric or alum coagulants is typically two to three times higher than that of ClariPhos, which can dramatically impact the overall pH of the wastewater system.
By replacing ferric or alum coagulants with ClariPhos, which offers lower acidity and dose rate, operators can maintain desired pH levels in the plant processes with little to no pH adjustment — translating to significant cost savings for chemical consumption and process control.
Less coagulant = less sludge
The low dose rate for ClariPhos, along with its high affinity to phosphorus, also results in far less sludge production. Lower sludge volumes mean less pumping, dewatering, hauling and disposal, which contributes to lower costs and additional savings for each of these operations.
Learn more about ClariPhos rare earth coagulant for phosphorus reduction.
Contact us to arrange an assessment and pilot test of ClariPhos at your plant.
Rare-earth coagulant: not just for phosphorus removal. The many benefits of ClariPhos.
DATE POSTED: May 22, 2019
In the past few issues of our newsletter, we’ve shared several stories explaining how ClariPhos™ rare-earth coagulant can achieve phosphorus limits as low as 0.07 mg/L, without tertiary filtration. But this unique technology also provides many other benefits over conventional iron- or aluminum-based coagulants that can help improve operations and save money at wastewater plants. Here’s what ClariPhos can do:
- Improve clarifier performance: The rare earth minerals in ClariPhos bond more tightly to phosphorus and form a denser, heavier precipitate that settles about two times faster than alternatives, enabling clarifiers to operate more efficiently.
- Lower chemical consumption: ClariPhos achieves phosphorus removal at a 1:1 molar ratio due to the strong crystalline ionic bond that is formed. Iron- and aluminum-based coagulants can’t form the same type of ionic bond. Instead, phosphate adsorbs to the surface of the salt. As a result phosphorus removal occurs at a molar ratio of about 5:2, which means much more iron or aluminum coagulants are needed to achieve the desired level of phosphorus removal compared to ClariPhos.
- Reduce sludge volume by up to 70%: Since ClariPhos can achieve excellent phosphorus removal at a lower dose than alternatives, less sludge is produced. Less sludge, means less pumping, dewatering, hauling and disposal, which contributes to lower costs for each of these operations.
- Achieve up to 30% higher attained solids in dewatered sludge: ClariPhos produces a thicker, more compact sludge that can be more easily dewatered by passive processes such as Geotube® dewatering or mechanical alternatives.
- Inhibit the formation of struvite: Phosphorus is a key ingredient in struvite. Since ClariPhos binds tightly to phosphorus, it becomes unavailable to form struvite downstream of the dose point.
- Simplify handling and storage: ClariPhos is rated non-hazardous and has a low freezing point of -40°F (-40°C) making it easier and safer to handle, dose, and store than conventional alternatives.
Download the ClariPhos brochure.
Learn more about the advantages of ClariPhos rare-earth coagulant.
Contact us to discuss your chemical treatment needs and ClariPhos.
Rare earth coagulant helps Hartford, WI achieve stringent phosphorus limit of 0.075mg/L
DATE POSTED: April 9, 2019
New discharge limits achieved with RE300
When the state of Wisconsin created stringent new water quality standards in 2013 to protect surface waters from eutrophication, about 400 treatment plants received tough new discharge limits for total phosphorus, ranging between 0.5 and 0.04 mg/L.
Though many of the treatment plants already had chemical phosphorus removal systems in place, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) estimated that most would not be able to comply with the new standard without additional equipment such as biological phosphorus removal, sand filtration, rapid mix and flocculation chemical removal or others. Chemical coagulation alone, it was assumed, would not be able to achieve the low phosphorus limit.
One plant, the City of Hartford Water Pollution Control Facility (HWPCF), decided to try Neo rare earth coagulant to see if the chemical could enable it to achieve a new, ultra-low phosphorus discharge permit of 0.075 mg/L. If it worked, the plant would likely be able to avoid spending $2.8 million for new nutrient removal equipment, along with higher annual maintenance and operating costs that would accompany that approach.
HWPCF switched its ferrous chloride coagulant with Neo RE100, and within a three-week equilibration time was able to consistently maintain average total phosphorus in treated effluent from an average influent level of 7.3 mg/L to an average of 0.072 mg/L in final effluent. This was a remarkable achievement since attempts to reach 0.075 mg/L with ferrous chloride were unsuccessful. Even ferrous chloride doses as high as 120 ppm could only reduce phosphorus in final effluent to 0.3 mg/L.
Cold-weather testing with Neo RE100 was also very successful. A study from December to March showed that the rare earth coagulant could consistently reduce average total phosphorus to 0.036 mg/L in final effluent.
Neo RE100 and RE300 are able to achieve this high level of phosphorus removal because it incorporates rare earth elements Cerium and Lanthanum that bind tightly to phosphorus and form a dense precipitate that readily settles out of solution within minutes.
Since switching to Neo RE100, the plant has also experienced better sludge settling, a 35% reduction in solids production and reduced odour in the non-potable water system.
Read the full case study for the Hartford Water Pollution Control Plant and the successful use of Neo RE300 rare earth coagulant.
Learn more about RE300 rare earth coagulant.
Contact us to discuss how Neo RE300 can help you achieve ultra-low phosphorus limits without costly tertiary filtration systems.
Why are rare earth elements so effective for achieving an ultra-low phosphorus limit?
DATE POSTED: March 26, 2019
When’s the last time you thought about the strength of the chemical bonds in your clarifier? Today’s the day — because strong bonds are the reason that the rare earth technology in ClariPhos™ outperforms aluminum- and iron-based coagulants to achieve phosphorus levels as low as 0.07 mg/L in treated effluent.
How does it work?
ClariPhos incorporates rare-earth metals lanthanum and cerium that have a high affinity for phosphorus and form a strong, insoluble crystalline ionic bond. By comparison, conventional metal salts cannot form a tight bond with phosphorus. Instead, they form intermediates to which phosphate adsorbs to the surface.
Denser, heavier compound settles faster.
This tight bond, combined with the heavier atomic weight of lanthanum and cerium, means the precipitate is denser, more stable and settles about two times faster than conventional floc.
Another benefit of ClariPhos’s affinity for phosphorus and the tight bond is that far less of the chemical is needed to achieve excellent phosphorus reduction. ClariPhos binds to phosphorus at a 1:1 molar ratio, whereas Fe/Al coagulants bind at a ratio of approximately 5:2. Research data also shows that the ratio of Al/Fe coagulant to phosphorus increases significantly to achieve higher levels of phosphorus reduction and that tertiary filtration is often needed. ClariPhos, on the other hand, maintains the 1:1 ratio and does not require additional filtration equipment.
CeCl3 (Rare Earth Salt) requires a much lower dosage to achieve low phosphorus concentrations, even at P levels <0.1 mg/L.
Watch a video to see how ClariPhos rare earth coagulant achieves an ultra-low phosphorus level in treated effluent without tertiary filtration.
Learn more about ClariPhos rare earth coagulant.
Contact us to discuss a trial of ClariPhosat your treatment plant.
Rare-earth coagulant provides game-changing phosphorus reductions. Hit levels as low as 0.07 mg/L.
DATE POSTED: February 27, 2019
Hitting an ultra-low phosphorus limit for treated wastewater effluent can be difficult using ferric- or aluminum-based coagulants alone. Often, large amounts of these conventional coagulants must be used, yet treatment plants may still be unable to meet low phosphorus targets without adding costly filtration equipment.
But a new type of coagulant, based on rare earth elements, is enabling treatment plants to achieve phosphorus levels as low as 0.07 mg/L without filtration and without the need to use large amounts of coagulant. The rare earth elements in ClariPhos™, Cerium and Lanthanum, bind tightly to phosphorus and form a dense precipitate that readily settles out of solution within minutes.
Easily switch to ClariPhos by simply replacing current coagulant
In most cases, plant operators can simply replace conventional coagulants with ClariPhos rare earth coagulant 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 avoid spending millions on capital costs for 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 just one example, a 3.4 MGD municipal wastewater treatment plant tested Neo 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. After switching to Neo rare earth coagulant, the plant was also able to avoid installing new nutrient removal equipment, at an estimated cost of $2.8 million, and reduce solids production by about 35%.
Click to read the full case study.
Watch for more information about FE300 in our upcoming newsletters and learn more about the operational benefits, cost savings and environmental advantages that rare earth coagulant offers.
Contact us today to ClariPhos rare earth coagulant and how simple it is to switch your phosphorus reduction chemicals.
Learn more about ClariPhos rare earth coagulants for phosphorus reduction.
Rare Earth Coagulant to Achieve Ultra-Low Phosphorus Limits
DATE POSTED: February 1, 2019
Achieve phosphorus limits as low as 0.07 mg/L with new, rare earth coagulant
A new coagulant, based on rare earth elements, now makes it possible for wastewater treatment plants to achieve ultra-low phosphorus targets—as low as 0.07 mg/L—without adding or upgrading tertiary filtration equipment.
ClariPhos™ rare earth coagulant can easily replace conventional coagulants to dramatically improve chemical precipitation of phosphorus in treated wastewater effluent. The rare earth elements in ClariPhos enable the coagulant to form a strong, crystalline bond with phosphorus and produce a denser, more stable precipitate than conventional coagulants such as ferric sulfate.
This dense precipitate settles quickly in clarifiers and is the primary reason that wastewater plants using ClariPhos can achieve ultra-low phosphorus in treated effluent without the use of filtration equipment.
ClariPhos rare earth coagulant brings a number of other benefits to treatment plants that can provide significant operational efficiencies and cost savings over conventional coagulants, including:
- Reduce sludge production by up to 70%;
- Achieve up to 30% higher attained solids in dewatered sludge;
- Maintain chemical dosing and performance in temperatures as low as -40C;
- Prevent formation of struvite;
- Safer for the environment; consistently passes Whole Effluent Toxicity testing;
- Safer for operators; rated non-hazardous.
More than 50 plants in the US already use ClariPhos to meet stringent phosphorus discharge requirements, improve clarifier performance and reduce sludge storage, dewatering and disposal costs.
Some examples of the remarkable results plants are experiencing include:
- Consistent compliance with new phosphorus permit of 0.07 mg/L;
- 68% reduction in sludge disposal costs = $70,000 annual savings;
- 80% reduction in belt press operation = $7,000 annual savings in energy cost;
- Eliminate need to add large chemical storage tanks, tertiary filtration equipment or buildings.
Contact us today to learn how simple it is to switch your phosphorus reduction chemicals to ClariPhos and easily meet stringent phosphorus targets without costly filtration equipment.
Read more about ClariPhos for phosphorus removal here.