Design and Operational Performance of a Modified Bardenpho Process in a Wastewater Treatment Plant

• • The modified Bardenpho process achieved average removal efficiencies of 96.10% for COD, 98.24% for NH3-N, 83.89% for TN, and 98.29% for TP, with effluent concentrations of 15.4 mg/L, 0.57 mg/L, 7.94 mg/L, and 0.12 mg/L, respectively, outperforming the GB 18918—2002 Class 1A standard. • • The process configuration, including multi-point influent distribution and post-anoxic/post-aerobic zones, enabled stable treatment under influent fluctuation coefficients of 1.2–1.5 and TN loads up to 55 mg/L, demonstrating high resilience to shock loads. • • With refractory COD comprising >35% of influent organic matter, the system achieved a COD removal rate of 96.10%, indicating effective degradation of difficult-to-degrade compounds and enhanced carbon source utilization. • • The design integrates auxiliary units (equalization basin, high-efficiency sedimentation tank, denitrifying deep-bed filter) that collectively ensure effluent TN below 8 mg/L and TP below 0.2 mg/L, providing a robust solution for stringent nutrient discharge limits.