9716144 Randall This is an award to support research the objective of which is to provide a more rational basis than now exists for design of biologically based wastewater treatment processes that have the capability for reducing the phosphorus content of their effluents. The research involves determination of conditions that necessitate the need for a prefermentation phase to produce nonvolatile fatty acids in comparison with conditions where the anaerobic/reaction phase of the treatment process precludes need for a prefermentation phase. Results of this research are expected to be used in determination of conditions under which prefermentation is a necessary step in enhanced removal of phosphorus from wastewater by use of biological processes. This knowledge is expected to be used in improving the engineering design of biologically-based, phosphorus removal processes and systems. Biologically-based processes have the advantage over physical-chemical processes in reducing the amounts of process residuals, improved dewatering characteristics of the residuals and capability of being integrated with biologically-based denitrification processes. ***
