As demonstrated with the wastewater pretreatment facility design for Link Snacks, Inc. in Alpena, Banner has the capability to address high-strength industrial wastewater treatment. Previously, the industry's waste was pretreated with a dissolved air flotation process and then sent to the City's anaerobic lagoons and retention ponds located several miles out of town. However, issues with the pond process and the industry's growth required additional pretreatment closer to the source of the wastewater. Link Snacks, Inc. sought Banner's experienced staff to evaluate five aerobic and anaerobic treatment processes. Based on a lifecycle cost and performance analysis, an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) was recommended for the industry's high strength waste. The AnMBR is operational and achieves the required reductions in BOD5 and TSS concentrations for this process. The AnMBR process is followed by an activated sludge/final clarification process for nitrification and hydrogen sulfide reduction. Nitrogen and phosphorus removal will be achieved with the future addition of an anoxic tank. A belt filter press is also provided for solids handling.

Project Goal #1

Maintain permit compliance with a process that will reliably treat the wastewater and protect the City of Alpena's wastewater treatment plant

Project Goal #2

Energy efficient operation, selecting a process capable of creating a sufficient quantity of biogas that is used to generate both the electricity and the heat needed to operate the facility