Biological aerated filtration of municipal wastewater using a low-cost filtration media

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 255-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. González-Martínez ◽  
T. Millán ◽  
O. González-Barceló
Keyword(s):  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Ammonia Removal ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Organic Loading ◽  
Removal Rates ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Different Depths ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Kjeldahl Nitrogen

The main objective of this research was to demonstrate that selected natural lava stones can be successfully used for low-cost aerobic biofiltration of municipal wastewater. To demonstrate the procedure a pilot filter was built using 6 mm lava stones as support material. The filter depth was 3.0 m. Provided with sampling ports at different depths analysis of the wastewater could be made for COD, TSS, ammonia and nitrates nitrogen, pH, temperature and Kjeldahl nitrogen. Backwashing was performed every 72 hours. Total and dissolved COD and TSS behaved similarly with the organic load: The highest removal rates were observed with the lowest organic load of 0.8 kgCOD/m3 d. These removal rates decreased to a minimum value at organic loading rates of 1.5 kgCOD/m3 d and then remained without noticeable changes to the highest value of 3.5 kgCOD/m3 d. The highest total and dissolved COD removal values were 81 and 84%, respectively. For TSS the best removal value was 95%. Up to 75% ammonia removal was achieved at the lowest organic load of 0.8 kgCOD/m3 d. Ammonia removal decreased to 36% with a higher organic load of 1.6 kgCOD/m3 d. The Mean Cellular Retention (MCRT) time varied from 1 to 6 days with an average of 3.2 days. This fact proves that the MCRT depends on the backwashing frequency more than of any other factor involved. The bed volume decreased in about 5% after 300 days of operation. Microscopic observations showed that the small stones were rounder after 300 days and that the volume losses were caused when the edges of the stones were cut by the abrasion caused by backwashing.

A new low-cost biofilm carrier for the treatment of municipal wastewater in a moving bed reactor

2004 ◽  
Vol 48 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 243-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C. Orantes ◽  
S. González-Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Internal Diameter ◽  
Organic Loading ◽  
Efficient System ◽  
Moving Bed ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Biofilm Carrier

The Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor has proven to be an efficient system in wastewater treatment and has become a viable solution for small treatment plants. The main objective of this research was to analyse the performance of a moving bed reactor using low-cost local material when fed with municipal wastewater. A pilot reactor with a total volume of 900 litres was built and it was fed continuously with municipal wastewater. The operation of the system was adjusted to six different organic loading rates. The biofilm carrier was polyethylene tubing with internal diameter of 1.1 cm, cut into pieces of 1.2 cm. The tested material offered a specific surface area of 590 m2/m3. Air was provided with a fine-bubble diffuser. The main results show that the reactor performance was stable and predictable. The COD removal confidently behaves according to a general hyperbolic kinetic equation. The maximal total COD removal attained was 81%. Nitrification was observed only for organic loads with values under 5.7 gCOD/m2·d. Good adherence of the microorganisms was observed for the applied organic loading rates. After several months of operation, the material showed no signs of abrasion or deformation. The sludge production behaved linearly with the organic load reaching 979 gTSS/d with the highest organic load of 35.7 gCOD/m2·d. The amount of microorganisms attached to the carrier increased with the organic load tending to an asymptotical maximal value of 17.3 g/m2 (as dry solids). Mean cellular retention times from 2.0 to 23.1 days were determined.

Biological Phosphorus Removal Using a Biofilm Membrane Reactor: Operation at High Organic Loading Rates

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 321-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro A. Castillo ◽  
Simón González-Martínez ◽  
Iñaki Tejero
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Membrane Reactor ◽  
Synthetic Wastewater ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Organic Loading ◽  
Removal Rates ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Biological Phosphorus ◽  
P Removal

This research describes Biological Phosphorus Removal at Organic Loading Rates from 5 to 30 g COD/m2·d using a laboratory scale Sequencing Batch Biofilm Membrane Reactor. The reactor was fed with synthetic wastewater based on sodium acetate with a COD:N:P ratio of 20:5:1. An average PO4-P removal of 72% was observed when the organic load was kept under 15 gCOD/m2·d. Maximum PO4-P removal of 85% was associated with a consumption rate of 700 mgPO4-P/m2·d. Increasing with the organic load, the PO4-P released during the anaerobic phase averages 40% over the influent concentration, showing a maximum value of 107%. Throughout the experiments, overall COD removal rates were above 90%, and the COD uptake during the anaerobic phase ranged between 60 and 80% for organic loading rates under 15 gCOD/m2·d. Simultaneous nitrification and dentrification took place during the transition from aerobic to anaerobic conditions at the beginning of every cycle. Average transformation rates between 0.6 to 2.0 gNH4-N/m2·d and 0.3 to 1.2 gNO3-N/m2·d were observed for organic loading rates under 15 gCOD/m2·d, corresponding to average NH4-N removal rates between 50 and 70%. Average effluent NO3-N ranged between 1.5 and 10.6 mg/l. Phosphorus contents of the biofilm based on dry mass ranged between 4.2 and 5.2%.

Ciliated protozoa and organic load at low temperatures in an aerated biofilter

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 243-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. García-Santana ◽  
S. González-Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Work ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Ciliated Protozoa ◽  
Organic Loading ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Effluent Quality ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Wastewater Systems

Ciliated protozoa have been widely used as water quality indicators because their main morphological characteristics are relatively simple to identify microscopically. The species and individual numbers in wastewater treatment systems are a consequence of the operational and environmental conditions of the process. The main objective of this research was to relate the effluent quality of a pilot aerated biofilter with the presence and relative abundance of ciliated protozoa when operated under different organic loading rates. The experimental work was done in a pilot aerated biofilter using 12 mm volcanic porous stones as filtering media and it was fed with municipal wastewater adjusting the experiments to 3 organic loading rates (3, 7, and 9 gCOD/m2·d). Temperature in the filter varied from 11 to 14°C during the experimental work. COD and BOD removal rates do not change significantly with the different organic loads. Nitrification improves inversely to the organic load and it does not show dependence on the slight temperature changes observed. Eighteen species were identified as typical residents in wastewater systems. Free swimming species prefer higher organic loads. Crawling and attached species did not show significant changes with the organic load. According to the saprobity index of Pantle and Buck, the system, independently of the organic load, presented typical α-mesosaprobe level.

Wastewater treatment in an anaerobic filter using small lava stones as filter media without temperature control

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 1188-1195
Author(s):  
Simón González-Martínez ◽  
Óscar González-Barceló ◽  
Carlos A. Flores-Torres
Keyword(s):  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Organic Loading Rate ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Organic Loading ◽  
Removal Rates ◽  
Biological Filtration ◽  
Support Materials ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Anaerobic Filter ◽  
Average Size

For their simplicity and using cheap support materials, biological filtration of municipal wastewater can be adequate for developing countries where the legislation is not as strict as in other countries, like the members of the European Union. Biological filters are fixed biomass reactors where the suspended pollutants can easily be retained and the dissolved substances can be transformed by microbial activity. A pilot anaerobic filter was built and filled with lava stones sieved to obtain particles with an average size of 6 mm. The filter was fed with municipal wastewater during 220 days under hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 4.3 and 9.8 hours (average organic loading rates of 0.48 and 1.23 kgCOD/m3 d). The results show that the pH did not change significantly during the process. Lower organic loading rates (higher HRT) resulted in better COD and TSS removal rates. Average biogas composition showed methane to be 67% for the lower organic loading rate and 63% for the higher one. Backwashing with air for 5 minutes every 72 hours did not negatively affect the overall anaerobic process. Average TSS removal was 79 and 73% for the higher and lower HRT (lower and higher organic loading rates), respectively. The overall performance of the anaerobic filter is comparable with the reported values in the literature. The COD and TSS removal rates are slightly inferior to the ones reported in the literature for UASB reactors treating municipal wastewater.

Distribution of heterotrophic and autotrophic organisms in a biological aerated filter

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
O. González-Barceló ◽  
S. González-Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Homogeneous Distribution ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Filter Media ◽  
Aerated Filter ◽  
Secondary Settling

Biological aerated filtration is a viable option for small municipal wastewater treatment plants. A low cost filter media was obtained by triturating volcanic rock. An apparent porosity of 46 % and a specific surface area of 395 m2/m3·d were obtained once the filter was packed by using a grain size of 8.2 mm. The performance of the system, operated as a biological filter, was evaluated under an average organic load of 2.6±0.4 kgCODT/m3·d (6.7±1.1 gCODT/m2·d) without primary and secondary settling. The average CODT decreased from 220 mg/l in the influent to 88 mg/l in the effluent and the CODD was decreased from 148 mg/l in the influent to 50 mg/l in the effluent. The filter media, in combination with the biofilm, allowed a 75 % TSS removal. The ammonia nitrogen decreased from 51 mg/l in the influent to 33 mg/l in the effluent. The maximum flux coefficients of 9.3gCODdissolved/m2·d and 2.9gNH4-N/m2·d at the biofilm surface were used to simulate, with the Michaelis-Menten model, the profiles of dissolved COD, ammonium and nitrates through the aerated filter. It was possible to conclude that the backwashing procedure removed the excess biomass and was responsible for a homogeneous distribution of heterotrophic and autotrophic microorganisms along the filter depth.

Wastewater fermentation and nutrient removal in sequencing batch reactors

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 255-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Germán Cuevas-Rodríguez ◽  
Óscar González-Barceló ◽  
Simón González-Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
Sequencing Batch Reactors ◽  
Organic Loading ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Experimental Runs

This research project was conducted to analyze the performance of a SBR reactor when being fed with anaerobically fermented wastewater. Important was to determine the capacity of the system to remove nitrogen and phosphorus. Two SBR reactors, each one with a volume of 980 liters, were used: one used as fermenter and the other as activated sludge SBR. Using 8-hour cycles, the reactors were operated and studied during 269 days. The fermenter produced an effluent with an average value of 223±24 mg/l of volatile fatty acids. The activated sludge SBR was tested under 3 organic loading rates of 0.13, 0.25, and 0.35 kgCODtotal/kgTSS·d. For the three tested organic loading rates, PO4-P concentrations under 1.1 mg/l and COD between 37 and 38 mg/l were consistently achieved. Exceptionally high NH4-N influent values were measured during the time of the experimentation with the organic load of 0.25 kgCODtotal/kgTSS·d, not reaching in this case full nitrification. Denitrification was observed during the fill phase in every cycle. SVI values between 40 and 70 were determined during the experimental runs.

Novel biofilm reactor for denitrification of municipal wastewater

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 1566-1575 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Rathnaweera ◽  
B. Rusten ◽  
K. Korczyk ◽  
B. Helland ◽  
E. Rismyhr
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Source ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Biofilm Reactor ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Removal Rates ◽  
Good Filter ◽  
Solids Removal

Abstract A pilot-scale CFIC® (continuous flow intermittent cleaning) reactor was run in anoxic conditions to study denitrification of wastewater. The CFIC process has already proven its capabilities for biological oxygen demand removal with a small footprint, less energy consumption and low cost. The present study focused on the applicability for denitrification. Both pre-denitrification (pre-DN) and post-denitrification (post-DN) were tested. A mixture of primary treated wastewater and nitrified wastewater was used for pre-DN and nitrified wastewater with ethanol as a carbon source was used for post-DN. The pre-DN process was carbon limited and removal rates of only 0.16 to 0.74 g NOx-N/m²-d were obtained. With post-DN and an external carbon source, 0.68 to 2.2 g NO3-Neq/m²-d removal rates were obtained. The carrier bed functioned as a good filter for both the larger particles coming with influent water and the bio-solids produced in the reactor. Total suspended solids removal in the reactor varied from 20% to 78% (average 45%) during post-DN testing period and 9% to 70% (average 29%) for pre-DN. The results showed that the forward flow washing improves both the DN function and filtration ability of the reactor.

Biological degradation of a mixture of municipal wastewater and organic garbage leachate in expanded bed anaerobic reactors and a zeolite filter

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 723-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Castilla ◽  
L. Aguilar ◽  
M. Escamilla ◽  
B. Silva ◽  
Z. Milán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Total Suspended Solids ◽  
Granular Sludge ◽  
Biological Degradation ◽  
Organic Loading ◽  
Methanogenic Activity ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Anaerobic Reactors ◽  
Removal Efficiencies

Municipal wastewater was amended with organic garbage leachates at a concentration around 700 mgCODsoluble/L and fed to three different anaerobic systems to compare their performance: a down flow fluidized bed (DFFB), an expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) and a zeolite-packed anaerobic filter reactor (ZPF). The DFFB and EGSB reactors were operated at HRT of 6 and 4 h and the ZPF reactor at 12 and 36 h. Organic loads rate for the DFFB reactor were 2.3±0.9 and 4.8±1.8 gCOD/L·d, with removal efficiencies around 40% and a methane productivity of 0.2±0.03 L/Lreactor·d. For the EGSB reactor, organic loads tested were 2.1±0.9 and 4.3±1.3 gCOD/L·d, removal efficiencies attained were of 77.6±12.7% and 84.4±4.9%, respectively at both conditions and total suspended solids were removed in 54.6±19.3%, while methane productivity at 4 h HRT was of 1.29±0.4 L/Lreactor·d. The ZPF reactor was operated at lower organic loading rates, 1.4±0.27 and 0.42±0.13 gCOD/L·d and attained removal efficiencies of 48±18% and 83±8%, respectively, reaching a methane productivity of 0.21±0.09 and 0.12±0.04 L/Lreactor·d, 83±8.0% of total suspended solids were retained in the reactor and as HRT was increased ammonium concentrations increased in 39%. Specific methanogenic activity in all systems was around 0.2 gCOD-CH4/gVSS d.

scholarly journals PENCIRIAN TEMPORAL SKALA KECIL AIR SISA DOMESTIK PERBANDARAN

2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 35-44
Author(s):  
Z. M. Hanafiah ◽  
W. H. M. W. Mohtar ◽  
N. A. Bachi' ◽  
N. A. Abdullah ◽  
M. Z. Abdullah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Ammonia Removal ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Chemical Characteristics ◽  
Temperature Conductivity ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Health Association ◽  
Kjeldahl Nitrogen

Sewage treatment plants (STP) in Malaysia are designed to treat a load of contaminants according to the level of concentration for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and nitrogen ammonia (NH3-N) of 250 mg/L and 30 mg/L, respectively. However, studies show that the organic load of Malaysian wastewater is low and even temporarily fluctuates resulting in the low effectiveness of treatment especially in ammonia removal and consequently cause effluents that do not undergo proper treatment to be released into the environment. Therefore, this study aims to identify concentrations of COD and NH3-N in the influent of urban domestic wastewater along with other physico-chemical characteristics. Two locations of the STP were chosen based on the urban area with different catchment sizes for a population equivalent (PE) 60,000 for the first STP (LRK#1), and 150,000 for the second STP (LRK#2). These parameters include pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), nitrogen nitrate (NO3-N), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) as well as heavy metals such as Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn). The sampling and analysis methods used the guidelines recommended in the American Public Health Association (APHA). The results give the highest average COD concentrations for the LRK#1 and LRK#2 are 180.5 mg/L and 380.9 mg/L, respectively. The highest NH3-N concentrations were 33.53 mg/L for LRK#1 and 31.63 mg/L for LRK#2. Overall, the wastewater physico-chemical characteristics of both treatment plants show wastewater in the medium and low concentration categories.

Biological nitrogen removal with three different SBBR

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 245-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Valdivia ◽  
S. González-Martínez ◽  
P.A. Wilderer
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Ammonia Removal ◽  
Organic Loading ◽  
Special Support ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Biological Nitrogen ◽  
The City

In order to compare the performance of biofilms growing on different support media, three reactors were fed with municipal wastewater from the city of Garching, Germany, and operated under the sequencing batch procedure. The support media tested have the commercial names of Kaldnes, polyethylene special support for moving bed reactors with approximate diameter of 12 mm; Liapor, ceramic spheres with diameters between 4 and 6 mm; Linpor, plastic foam cut in cubes of 15 mm. The bench-top reactors were tested for COD, TSS and ammonia nitrogen removal. During 452 days runs with organic loads between 0.5 and 8.0 gCOD/m2·d were tested. Thin biofilms (Kaldnes and Liapor) perform better for COD and ammonia removal under lower organic loading values (<2.5 gCOD/m2·d). For organic loads over 3.0 gCOD/m2·d, the reactor packed with Linpor (thick biofilm) showed a better COD and ammonia nitrogen removal than the other two. Linpor achieved the highest NOx-N production reaching values between 15 and 20 mg/l. For low organic loading rates Linpor and Liapor present similar average NOx-N concentrations. Kaldnes shows the lowest concentrations throughout the whole experimental period. The difference between ammonia nitrogen removal and NOx-N generation is simultaneous denitrification inside the deep biofilms. The average mean cellular retention times were 5.4 days for Liapor, 10.0 days for Kaldnes and 22.9 days for Linpor. This is the reason why Linpor achieved complete nitrification even with higher organic loads.

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