Integrating Online Nutrient Monitoring, Laboratory Verification, and Filtration to Improve BNR Reliability for NPDES Requirements and Optimization
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM · 1 hr. 30 min. (US/Central)
New Orleans Convention Center
Technology Spotlight
Hall H Booth 7249
Information
Water resource recovery facilities are under increasing pressure to meet nutrient limits, reduce operating costs, improve process stability, and maintain confidence in compliance data despite staffing constraints and changing influent conditions. Biological nutrient removal programs depend on timely, reliable information from both online process analyzers and laboratory verification methods. When these data streams are disconnected, operators may over-aerate, overfeed chemicals, delay troubleshooting, or respond reactively to process changes.
This Technology Spotlight will present a practical approach for integrating online nutrient monitoring, laboratory confirmation, and reliable sample filtration to improve BNR decision-making. The discussion will focus on how ammonium and phosphate data can support aeration control, chemical dosing optimization, troubleshooting, and confidence in compliance-related decisions. The session will emphasize practical implementation considerations, including analyzer placement, sample preparation, routine verification, operator workflows, and maintenance planning.
Two field examples will be used to ground the discussion in real-world outcomes. At Germany's largest wastewater treatment plant in Hamburg, final effluent ammonia monitoring had historically been limited by biofilm buildup, sample inconsistency, frequent clogging, and intensive manual cleaning. The combination of online ammonium analysis with the FX620 filtration system enabled stable, low-maintenance monitoring at critical process points, including final effluent locations where previous approaches had not been sustainable. In Grapevine, Texas, online ammonia data was used to support nitrification optimization and aeration decision-making. By replacing reliance on surrogate indicators alone with direct ammonia visibility, the facility was able to reduce aeration while maintaining confidence below permit limits, achieving up to a 28% reduction in energy use during the trial and an average power reduction of 18.4%.
The NH6000sc ammonium analyzer helps facilities improve visibility into ammonium trends that influence aeration control, nitrification performance, and energy use. The NP6000sc phosphate analyzer supports facilities facing tighter phosphorus limits by providing continuous phosphate data that can help optimize chemical dosing and reduce the risk of overfeeding or underfeeding. The FX620 filtration system supports dependable sample preparation for online analysis, helping maintain consistent analyzer performance while reducing operator touchpoints. The DR4900 laboratory spectrophotometer complements online monitoring by supporting routine testing, verification, and troubleshooting, helping operators compare lab and process data with greater confidence.
Attendees will learn how to evaluate analyzer placement, sample preparation needs, maintenance expectations, lab-to-online comparison practices, and operator workflows. The presentation will emphasize transferable lessons for utilities seeking to improve nutrient control, reduce manual intervention, and increase confidence in process data.
This Technology Spotlight will present a practical approach for integrating online nutrient monitoring, laboratory confirmation, and reliable sample filtration to improve BNR decision-making. The discussion will focus on how ammonium and phosphate data can support aeration control, chemical dosing optimization, troubleshooting, and confidence in compliance-related decisions. The session will emphasize practical implementation considerations, including analyzer placement, sample preparation, routine verification, operator workflows, and maintenance planning.
Two field examples will be used to ground the discussion in real-world outcomes. At Germany's largest wastewater treatment plant in Hamburg, final effluent ammonia monitoring had historically been limited by biofilm buildup, sample inconsistency, frequent clogging, and intensive manual cleaning. The combination of online ammonium analysis with the FX620 filtration system enabled stable, low-maintenance monitoring at critical process points, including final effluent locations where previous approaches had not been sustainable. In Grapevine, Texas, online ammonia data was used to support nitrification optimization and aeration decision-making. By replacing reliance on surrogate indicators alone with direct ammonia visibility, the facility was able to reduce aeration while maintaining confidence below permit limits, achieving up to a 28% reduction in energy use during the trial and an average power reduction of 18.4%.
The NH6000sc ammonium analyzer helps facilities improve visibility into ammonium trends that influence aeration control, nitrification performance, and energy use. The NP6000sc phosphate analyzer supports facilities facing tighter phosphorus limits by providing continuous phosphate data that can help optimize chemical dosing and reduce the risk of overfeeding or underfeeding. The FX620 filtration system supports dependable sample preparation for online analysis, helping maintain consistent analyzer performance while reducing operator touchpoints. The DR4900 laboratory spectrophotometer complements online monitoring by supporting routine testing, verification, and troubleshooting, helping operators compare lab and process data with greater confidence.
Attendees will learn how to evaluate analyzer placement, sample preparation needs, maintenance expectations, lab-to-online comparison practices, and operator workflows. The presentation will emphasize transferable lessons for utilities seeking to improve nutrient control, reduce manual intervention, and increase confidence in process data.
