Water reduction project as part of the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle program.

Aeration Basin at the Whitetail Farm

Chemistry at Work Nitrification/Denitrification
Nitrogen in the primary lagoon is in the form of ammonia (NH3).When applied as fertilizer, ammonia nitrogen is easily absorbed by plants. However, it can also be emitted to the atmosphere.

In the aeration basin,  oxygen combines with hydrogen to form water (H2O). The nitrogen molecule also combines with oxygen to form nitrogen (NO3). It is now ready for denitrification.

When NO3 is recycled to the anoxic basin, the oxygen-starved bacteria strip away the oxygen molecules, releasing only harmless nitrogen – a key component to the air we breathe – to the air. 

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Description of the technologies at work.

Anoxic Basin
Effluent containing ammonia nitrogen passes through the covered anoxic basin where microorganisms feed. When the material is oxygenated in the nearby aeration basin, it converts to nitrate nitrogen (N03). It is then cycled back to the anoxic basin where microorganisms strip the oxygen away, releasing harmless nitrogen (N) to the air.

The aerations and anoxic basins are covered to retain heat and improve the efficiency of biological processes. The primary lagoon is covered to control odor.

Aeration
Effluent is mechanically aerated in this covered basin, providing oxygen needed by microorganisms in the anoxic basin. Aeration also helps reduce odors.

 Flow Rate Controller
The Flow Rate Controller lets us manage lagoon flow to accommodate seasonal changes in treated effluent volume. Lagoon levels rise during winter months as biological processes slow and less water is treated. Conversely, we can draw more water from the lagoons in warmer months when microorganism are working at peak efficiency.

Covered Lagoons
Effluent from the barns flows to lagoons with permeable covers that not only reduce odor and gas emissions, but supply oxygen to microorganisms that "scrub" odors from the lagoon before being released into the atmosphere.

Barns with Air Dams
Air Dams constructed behind each barn deflect vented air upward increasing dilution and dispersion, and reducing dust and noise.

Bio-Solids
Microorganisms that grow in the aeration settle and are stored here. The bio-solids are removed every few years for land application.

Storage
The clearer liquid that flows from the bio-solids basin is stored and eventually used to irrigate crops.

Land Application
A majority of the volume produced is applied through center pivot irrigation, or incorporated using an injection method, depending on the topography.

For more information on the AND system contact Bumgartner Enviornmental at www.beiagsolutions.com.