AdEdge Nitrate Removal Treatment System

Background

AdEdge Water Technologies, LLC was selected by CET Engineering Services and the client via a competitive bidding process to design, manufacture and start up a packaged nitrate removal system for a food processing plant located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The existing water system is a 0.7 MGD system consisting of a single well pump feeding multiple atmospheric storage tanks coupled with final UV disinfection at a design flow rate of over 500 gpm. The raw water has an average nitrate level of 14 mg/L well above the EPA primary MCL of 10 mg/L.

Treatment System

The AdEdge treatment system was designed to handle only a proportion of the total flow for optimal media use and regeneration frequency. To accomplish this, the nitrate system

incorporates a bypass line that blends the treated and untreated water to attain a blended nitrate concentration at set point of less than 8 mg/L. Features a skid-mounted AD-NO3 anion exchange package unit sized for a maximum design flow of 350 gpm. The model APUNO3-5460CS-3-AVH is a triplex, three vessel carbon steel configuration in parallel. Each treatment vessel contains the strong base anion AD-NO3 IX nitrate removal media which isNSF 61 certified.

The resin is supplied in the chloride form as moist, tough, uniform spherical beads. After being treated in parallel by the three vessels containing the AdEdge AD-NO3 IX media, the water is further subject to disinfection using UV technology before being stored in a 30,000 gallon tank.. The system was furnished complete with a brine regeneration system to regularly regenerate the AdEdge AD-NO3 IX resin to maximize the efficiency in removing the nitrates. All regeneration cycles of the treatment system are automated by the programmable logic controller.

The system is equipped with automated control valves and harness, central PLC & control panel, and a color user interface screen. System features also include differential pressure monitoring, local gauges, flow sensors and totalizers, and a central hydraulic panel with sample ports for a complete functioning packaged unit. A continuous on-line nitrate monitor is provided with the unit for ease of operation and to provide continuous monitoring for compliance.

Performance

The system was started up and commenced in December 2011. Since the system began operation, the nitrates are consistently being reduced from around14 mg/L to well below the treatment goal of 8 mg/L.

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