Glycerol is better known as a common ingredient in pharmaceuticals, foods, soaps and perfumes, but lately it’s been wandering off into new territory as a green chemistry alternative to petrochemicals. In the latest development, glycerol has been successfully deployed as the main ingredient in an innovative new nitrogen removal system at New York City wastewater treatment plant. It is helping to improve the municipal wastewater treatment process by removing excess nitrogen from effluent before it is released into surrounding waterways. During the second phase of the standard treatment process, air is pumped into tanks, where ammonia in the partly treated wastewater breaks down into nitrates and nitrites. The facility adds glycerol as a source of carbon to separate out nitrogen. Glycerol replaces methanol as a carbon-rich nitrogen remover. Glycerol is produced as a byproduct of biofuel production and this process will help the biofuel industry solve a major waste disposal problems.
If you need additional information about innovative wastewater treatment techniques or technologies, contact Shri Vani Sripada at 859-231-8936 ext. 117 or Kyle Hagen at ext. 118.