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DocuSign Envelope ID: D07924E6-3D94-4398-AO66-B683COBAB33E <br /> February 24,2021 <br /> Angela Aalbers,Chantell Johnson <br /> Page 5 of 12 <br /> Reference: Biological Sulfate Reduction Bench-Scale Test Results-Revision 1 <br /> TEST OPERATION <br /> The two sets of test columns were constructed on September 26, 2020 by Stantec using clear, schedule 40 <br /> PVC, including required fittings and filled with the appropriate materials. A process flow diagram is included <br /> as Attachment 1. Before beginning the test, inoculation of the bacteria occurred. Colowyo provided sediment <br /> for Stantec to use as inoculant which was collected near the seep surface expression. The sediment was <br /> introduced into the influent water and column media to expedite the inoculation growth. The refrigerator was <br /> initially turned off so the columns could be at ambient temperature to encourage bacteria growth. Columns <br /> indicated readiness to begin the initial 4X and 8X bench-scale tests by the odor produced from the test <br /> systems. <br /> On October 8th, Stantec performed the first set of field analytical tests to verify successful inoculation and that <br /> adequate BSR was occurring. When analyzing the samples for sulfate at the various sampling points, the <br /> results showed that concentrations of sulfate had not decreased in the effluent. It was determined that the <br /> inoculation with the sediment from site was unsuccessful and an alternate inoculate was needed. This was <br /> later confirmed by measuring that the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP)was not in the necessary range (- <br /> 200 to-400 mV) and the conditions in the columns were not favorable for electrochemical reduction. The test <br /> was paused to find an alternate inoculate. <br /> A variety of alternative inoculants were identified, but the most readily available material was anaerobic <br /> digester sludge from the City of Broomfield Wastewater Treatment Plant. Approximately one liter of sludge <br /> was slurried with deionized water and pumped into the bottom ports of columns 2 and 3. Sludge deposited <br /> into the bottom of the columns was expected to be distributed throughout the columns when the continuous <br /> upward flow was started. Once columns 2 and 3 had been dosed, the normal column plumbing was re- <br /> connected and another half-liter of sludge was mixed with source water and pumped into column 1, effectively <br /> distributing bacterial inoculant into columns 1, 2, and 3. <br /> On October 19th, sulfate and ORP measurements showed that the re-inoculation was successful with ORP <br /> measurements in the appropriate range. The ORP measurements indicated that anaerobic conditions were <br /> established in the columns and sulfate reduction was approximately 1,000 mg/L. <br /> For the first round of testing, both trains were run in parallel with a mechanically interlocked pump running at <br /> roughly 2 mL per minute and at the target temperature. One test train was run at an 8X carbon dose and the <br /> other train at a 4X carbon dose. Sampling was performed twice within the first testing period to make sure that <br /> the reducing conditions remained favorable following the re-inoculation. Tests were run for 5 days to achieve <br /> steady state operation prior to collecting samples for the initial rounds of WET testing. Gathering treated water <br /> for the WET tests was performed over the course of 5 days after reaching steady state (a total of 14 days of <br /> operation.) This long collection time was necessary to gather the 12 liters of water that the lab requested. <br /> Samples were packed in ice and transported directly to GEI Consultants. <br /> A second round of testing was conducted identical to the first round, except carbon doses of 1X and 2X were <br /> applied. For this round of operation, WET testing was performed only for the 2X test condition. <br /> The third round of testing utilized this test assembly and followed the same overall procedure for the BSR with <br /> 9 days to achieve steady state operation and 5 days of sample collection. Each of these samples were <br /> submitted for WET testing on January 20th, 2020. Additional details of the chemical modifications for these <br /> two samples are described in the Supplemental Testing section. <br /> TEST RESULTS <br /> Table 3 and Table 4 show the results from the field analysis collected by Stantec for the 4X and 8X test <br /> conditions. Note that Column 3 effluent samples were collected at the midpoint rather than the effluent due to <br /> sedimentation issues with the columns. Stantec believes that this collection point is representative of the <br /> Desi� h community in nnh <br /> dpg llus0321-ppfss01lshared_projects\233001407\reports\6_bench_scale_report\rpLbench_scale_report_24feb2O20_final_rl.docx <br />