The Rhizopur® process ten years on: a green solution for sewage treatment in small communities

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
pp. 1614-1620 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Aguilera Soriano ◽  
B. Raveneau-Champion ◽  
P. Dauthuille
Keyword(s):  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Operational Experience ◽  
Trickling Filter ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactor ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Green Solution

Ten years ago the Rhizopur® process was conceived in order to treat sewage from small towns. Since 1999 when the first Rhizopur® plant was commissioned, the number of facilities has been growing steadily and today there are more than fifty Rhizopur® facilities in France. This process combines three existing technologies, i.e. biofilm, infiltration/percolation and mineralisation in constructed wetlands, to conduct both wastewater and sludge treatment in a very cost-effective fashion. A trickling filter or a rotating biological contactor is combined with constructed wetlands to produce a high quality effluent, i.e. BOD5<20 mg/l, COD<100 mg/l and TSS<30 mg/l, and to achieve high removal efficiencies, i.e. BOD5 removal >90%, COD removal >80% and TSS removal >90%. Nitrification can also be achieved by increasing the size of the trickling filter. Part of the success of this process has been its modularity and compactness that have resulted in its easiness for extension, as well as its capacity to blend with the environment. The characteristics of this process make of it an appropriate solution for sewage treatment in the developing countries. The objective of this work is to give an overview of the performance and features of this process according to the operational experience gained during the last 10 years.

Lacks and needs of R&D on wastewater treatment in small populations

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Aragón ◽  
J. J. Salas ◽  
E. Ortega ◽  
Y. Ferrer
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Small Populations ◽  
Research Groups ◽  
National Plan ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
New Treatment

Wastewater treatment in small communities, with less of 2,000 population equivalent, is one of the priorities of the new Spanish National Plan for Water Quality: Sanitation and Purification (2007-2015). Due to the peculiarities of the small agglomerations, the treatment solutions used in medium and large cities usually do not give satisfactory results if they are implanted directly into those communities. It is therefore necessary to adapt these technologies to the small towns or to search for new treatment solutions. In this regard, R&D activities play a key role. In fact, many research groups address their activities to the study of sanitation and treatment of small populations. In relation to the technologies studied there is a wide range that includes both extensive and intensive technologies. In the case of Spain, as in other countries, constructed wetlands seem to be the most studied technology in the recent years to sewage treatment in small settlements. However, there are still areas of study to be promoted in order to solve the current problems of sanitation and wastewater treatment in small settlements.

scholarly journals FILTRAÇÃO LENTA PARA REUTILIZAÇÃO DE ÁGUA EM IRRIGAÇÃO

Irriga ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-20
Author(s):  
Luciana De Resende Londe ◽  
José Euclides Stipp Paterniani
Keyword(s):  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sand Filtration ◽  
Slow Sand Filtration ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Total Coliforms ◽  
Total Solids ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Apparent Color ◽  
E Mail

FILTRAÇÃO LENTA PARA REUTILIZAÇÃO DE ÁGUA EM IRRIGAÇÃO  Luciana de Resende Londe José Euclides Stipp PaternianiFaculdade de Engenharia Agrícola, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP. CEP 13083 970. E-mail: [email protected]  1 RESUMO  O tratamento de esgotos domésticos por leitos cultivados tem se mostrado eficiente, principalmente na diminuição de sólidos, cor e turbidez. Esta tecnologia, porém, matém ainda uma quantidade alta de coliformes totais e fecais e não elimina a necessidade de tratamentos complementares quando pretende-se reutilizar seu efluente. A proposta deste trabalho é a utilização da filtração lenta como tratamento posterior ao de leitos cultivados, possibilitando a reutilização de águas residuárias em atividades rurais, como a irrigação localizada. Os dois sistemas de tratamento possibilitam simplicidade de instalação e operação e custos reduzidos. Portanto, são adequados em pequenas comunidades ou áreas rurais. Para os ensaios realizados com taxa de filtração igual a 3 m3.m- 2.dia-1, o Filtro Lento reduziu, em média, em 64% a turbidez, 38% a cor, 62% os sólidos suspensos totais, em 92,57% os E. coli e em 85,61% os coliformes totais. Nos ensaios com taxa de filtração igual a 6 m3.m-2.dia-1, a redução em média foi de 72% para turbidez, 44% para cor, 67% para sólidos suspensos totais, 83,87% para E. coli e 82,90% para coliformes totais.  UNITERMOS: Leitos Cultivados, qualidade da água, saneamento rural  LONDE, L. de R.; PATERNIANI, J. E. S. SLOW SAND FILTRATION FOR IRRIGATION WATER RE-USING  2 ABSTRACT  Sewage treatment by constructed wetlands has been very efficient to color, turbidity and solid reduction. However, it still remains a high amount of total and faecal coliforms which requires other treatments before water re-using. This study has evaluated the efficiency of slow sand filtration to treat constructed wetlands effluents and intended to make it possible water re-using at rural works, for example at drip irrigation. Both treatment systems, constructed wetlands and slow sand filtration, require simple installation at low costs. They are advisable for small communities or rural area. Results from tests using 3 m3.m-2.day-1filtration rate have shown reductions of 64% turbidity, 38% apparent color, 62% total solids, 92,57% E. coli and 85,61% total coliforms. Tests at 6 m3.m-2.day-1 filtration rate led to 72%, 44%, 67%, 83,87% and 82,90% reduction for turbidity, apparent color, total solids, E.coli and total coliforms, respectively.  KEY-WORDS: constructed wetlands, water quality, rural sanitation.

Operational Performance of Package Sewage Treatment Plants in North West England

1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. E. Greaves ◽  
B. Thorp ◽  
R. F. Critchley
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactor ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
North West ◽  
Electricity Costs ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactors

North West Water Authority owns and operates 21 rotating biological contactors and 7 package extended aeration plants. The rotating biological contactors have performed effectively, reliably and cheaply. Site visits are required up to three times a week for simple routine maintenance, whilst desludging is required periodically, typically 3 to 9 times a year. The prefabricated extended aeration plants generally perform well but typically with more demanding operational requirements and higher capital and electricity costs than rotating biological contactors. The Authority has concluded that the rotating biological contactor is the primary option for sewage treatment for small communities.

The Development of Lagoons in Venezuela

1987 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Lansdell
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Option ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Operational Experience ◽  
Cost Information ◽  
Anaerobic Baffled Reactor ◽  
Space Saving ◽  
Under Construction ◽  
Space Requirements ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Lagoon Systems

The operational experience of early lagoons is outlined. The construction of a new generation of lagoons of 2000 PE to 1.000.000 PE capacity and associated practical difficulties are described. Those with innovative and space saving features treated in some detail. One includes an anaerobic baffled reactor with sludge draw-off facilities which entered service in September 1986 and which is being monitored for compliance with “Engelberg Requirements”. Cost information and space requirements for the different systems under construction are included.It is concluded that lagoon systems properly designed and sited are the most appropriate and indeed the only financially viable sewage treatment option to suit Venezuelan circumstances.

The Characteristics of Community Wastewater Biological Treatment Processes in Taiwan

1986 ◽  
Vol 18 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 289-296
Author(s):  
C. F. Ouyang ◽  
T. J. Wan
Keyword(s):  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Field Investigation ◽  
Oxidation Ditch ◽  
Trickling Filter ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactor ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Treatment Characteristics ◽  
Sludge Thickening

This study investigated and compared the treatment characteristics of three different kinds of biological wastewater treatment plants (including rotating biological contactor, trickling filter and oxidation ditch) which are currently operated in Taiwan. The field investigation of this study concentrated on the following items: the performance of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids (SS) removal; the sludge yield rate of BOD removal; the settleability of sludge solids; the properties of sludge thickening; the power consumption and land area requirement per unit volume of wastewater. Finally, based on the results of the field investigation, a comparison of the treatment characteristics of the three different biological treatment processes was evaluated.

Behaviour of Alkylphenol Polyethoxylate Surfactants and of Nitrilotriacetate in Sewage Treatment

1987 ◽  
Vol 19 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 449-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Giger ◽  
M. Ahel ◽  
M. Koch ◽  
H. U. Laubscher ◽  
C. Schaffner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Municipal Sewage ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Treated Sewage ◽  
Removal Efficiencies

Effluents and sludges from several municipal sewage treatment plants in Switzerland were analyzed for nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPnEO, n=3-20), nonylphenol mono- and diethoxylate (NPlEO, NP2EO), corresponding nonylphenoxy carboxylic acids (NP1EC, NP2EC) and nonylphenol (NP). These chemicals derive from nonionic surfactants of the NPnEO-type, and specific analitical techniques were used to study their behaviour during mechanical-biological sewage and subsequent sludge treatment. The parent NPnEO-surfactants, with concentrations in raw and mechanically treated sewage from 400-2200 mg/m3, were relatively efficiently removed by the activated sludge treatment. The abundances of the different metabolites varied depending on treatment conditions. The refractory nature of NPl/2EO, NP and NPl/2EC was recognized. Both biotransformations and physico-chemical processes determine the behaviour and fate of nonylphenolic substances in sewage treatment. Nitrilotriacetate (NTA) was found in primary effluents at concentrations between 430 and 1390 mg/m3. The various treatment plants showed different removal efficiencies for NTA depending on the operating conditions. Activated sludge treatment with low sludge loading rates and nitrifying conditions removed NTA with efficiencies between 95 and 99%. High sludge loading caused a decrease in NTA removal efficiencies from 70% to 39%.

Constructed reed beds: appropriate technology for small communities

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Green ◽  
J. Upton
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Reed Beds ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Operational Information ◽  
Reed Bed ◽  
Small Sites ◽  
Very High

Reed bed treatment is put in the context of a major water company’s need to provide reliable, high quality, effluents from small sewage treatment works whilst seeking to minimise running costs. Design and operational information is given for reed bed applications in Severn Trent Water. Performance details are provided for application to secondary, tertiary and storm overflow treatment. The results give particular confidence in the system’s ability to deliver very high quality effluents when used for tertiary treatment, the company’s biggest application. Reed beds work well against less demanding criteria for secondary treatment at small sites and show great promise for storm overflow treatment.

Sludge Treatment and Disposal Systems for Rural Areas in Germany

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 159-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eberhard Steinle
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Treatment Needs ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
Sewage Purification ◽  
Treatment And Disposal ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus

First an overview of the systems currently in use and being discussed for sludge treatment is presented will) particular emphasis on distinguishing between the object of the system (conditioning objective of the various phases in the system) and a system concept (concept of various phases of the system in sequence to attain the disposal objective). More detailed information is given as to the salient systems as used with smaller sewage treatment plants in rural areas, such as digestion, dewatering, hygienization, composting and thermal drying. A further item of discussion is how sludge treatment influences the sewage treatment process. For the critical emissions (nitrogen, phosphorus) demanded in Germany, and thus for the degree of sewage treatment required, the load of the sewage treatment system resulting from sludge treatment needs to be taken into account. Accordingly, operation of sludge treatment and sewage purification must always be harmonized. The extent of these return loads also limits the spatial centralization of the system phases; this applies in particular to smaller sewage treatment plants in rural areas. In conclusion, an attempt is made to present a perspective for the agricultural utilization of such sludge in Germany. Since the critical values for emissions have been further tightened by new regulations, thus considerably elevating the associated sophistication of monitoring techniques, it is to be expected that the use of sewage sludge in agriculture will also be further reduced in rural areas, especially since public awareness of emission control has considerably reduced the acceptance of sewage sludge as fertilizer.

Bioavailability of phosphorus as a tool for efficient P reduction schemes

1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Gerdes ◽  
Sabine Kunst
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Lower Saxony ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
P Balance ◽  
Different Sources ◽  
Total P ◽  
P Sources ◽  
P Bioavailability

The bioavailability of phosphorus from different sources has been evaluated in the catchment area of the River Ilmenau (Lower-Saxony, Germany) by using algal assays. The P bioavailability describes the different potential of P from various sources of supporting eutrophication. Effluents from sewage treatment plants were highly bioavailable (72% of TP) whereas rainwater (26%) and erosion effluents (30%) showed a low bioavailability. In order to develop effective strategies to minimize P inputs into the river, source specific P bioavailability indices were determined and combined with a P balance to calculate inputs of vioavailable P (BAP) instead of total P (TP). It could be shown that the relative importance of the different P sources changes when applying BAP. Measures to reduce P inputs into the River Ilmenau will take P bioavailability into consideration and therefore lead to a more cost-effective management.

How can Internet help develop small poorly-communicated communities?

2003 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 169-175
Author(s):  
Jaime Jiménez ◽  
Sergio Rafael Coria-Olguín
Keyword(s):  
Computer Literacy ◽  
Small Town ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
The State ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
E Mail

Internet and e-mail have proved to be instrumental for the development of individuals and communities, provided they are properly used. Is it possible to benefit small communities with limited telephone resources? A solution is proposed to provide Internet and additional services to small towns' inhabitants in such a manner that the service is both self-sustainable and economically accessible to the user. The solution takes into account the telephone infrastructure constraints, the limitations in terms of computer literacy of the population, and the need to keep the service at an affordable cost for the user. It has been successfully proven as a pilot project in a small town of the state of Veracruz, México.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document