Experimental results and mathematical modelling of an autotrophic and heterotrophic biofilm in a sand filter treating landfill leachate and municipal wastewater

A better understanding of wastewater treatment with soil filters is important to optimise plant operation and reduce the risk of clogging. The article presents results of a treatment concept which uses a combination of SBR and vertical-flow sand filter technology. The SBR was mainly used for denitrification and sedimentation of substances in particulate form. Efficient nitrification was achieved by the planted sand filter. Degradation rates of 10gNH(4)-N/(m(2)xd) were measured for periods with peak loadings. The two-dimensional dynamic model reproduces the biofilm growth and decay of heterotrophic and autotrophic biomass. It is capable of describing the clogging of the sand filter by combining a biochemical and a geometric model. After calibration, the model was used for the calculation of maximum nitrogen degradation performances. Maximum degradation rates of 12gNH(4)-N/(m(2)xd) can be achieved if the COD/TKN ratio is reduced before to a level lower than that of municipal wastewater. The COD was further degraded in the filter than we expected comparing it with activated sludge plants. Within the soil filter a biofilm thickness of up to 110mum is simulated depending on the embankment of gravel and grains of sand. Sensitivity analysis of model parameters showed the high impact of the maximum autotrophic growth rate, the autotrophic yield, the diffusion coefficient for oxygen and the number of contact points of the single grains of sand.     

Clogging of stormwater gravel infiltration systems and filters: insights from a laboratory study

Stormwater infiltration systems are widely used in the control of polluted urban runoff. They are very effective in reducing the volume of stormwater runoff and improving its quality, but they are known to be prone to clogging. Whilst it is evident that clogging determines the design lifespan of infiltration systems, quantitative understanding of the clogging process is currently very limited. A laboratory study was therefore undertaken to better understand physical clogging processes, with the ultimate aim of developing a clogging model for stormwater infiltration systems. This paper presents findings from one-dimensional (1-D) experiments conducted on a gravel filter column. Physical clogging was studied under both constant and variable water levels, and for different sediment inflow concentrations. It was found that a clogging layer forms at the interface between the filter and underlying soil, irrespective of the inflow regime of both water and sediment. It was also found that clogging is much slower if the water level is kept at a constant level than if it varies within the column, due to formation of a sediment plug that 'shelters' the filter/soil interface. Most importantly it was shown that physical clogging is mainly caused by migration of sediment particles less than 6 microm in diameter. A simple regression model was proposed and tested for the prediction of clogging due to stormwater sediment.     

新型BIOSMEDI滤池的开发研究

开发了一种适用于微污染原水预处理及污水深度处理的新工艺———BIOSMEDI滤池 ,它以轻质滤料为过滤介质 ,采用与填料相适应的独特滤池构造 ,同时采用脉冲反冲洗、气水同向流。该滤池具有滤料比表面积大 ,不易堵塞 ,滤层阻力小 ,滤速高 ,反冲洗耗水、耗气小等优点。试验表明 ,该生物滤池在 10℃以上时氨氮的去除负荷≥ 0 .5kgNH3-N/(m3·d)。     

Permeability prediction in geotextile envelope after chemical clogging: a coupled model

This study develops a coupled model of chemical clogging and permeability coefficient of geotextile envelope. Based on the distribution characteristics of crystal precipitates on geotextile envelope and their influence on the permeability coefficient, a permeability coefficient model of an actual geotextile envelope that considers the overlapping effect is developed. Then, the densification effects of geosynthetic fiber hypothesis and the filter cake effect hypothesis are proposed to simulate the processes of increasing fiber diameter after crystal precipitation and the accumulation of crystal precipitates on the surface of geotextile envelope. The crystal precipitation module and permeability coefficient module are coupled, and their experimental values are used to confirm the availability of the model. Results indicate the satisfactory performance of the model. In addition, the parameter sensitivity analysis and trend prediction show that the saturation index SI and solution flow rate V are the main factors that affect the chemical clogging and permeability of geotextile envelope. When the solution conditions are not considered, the sensitivity of geotextile envelope parameter d_f increased with the amount of precipitation in crystal precipitation. When the pores of the geotextile envelope are completely clogged, the permeability coefficient of the geotextile envelope will drop sharply, then decline slowly.     

Impact of design and operation variables on the performance of vertical-flow constructed wetlands and intermittent sand filters treating pond effluent

With the aim of improving the quality of the effluent from a waste stabilization pond (WSP) different types of vertical-flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) and intermittent sand filters (ISFs) were tested at a pilot plant in Aurignac (France). The effectiveness of each design at upgrading the pond effluent was studied over a period of 2 years. Physicochemical parameters were monitored by taking composite samples over 24 h and grab samples every week. The hydraulic behaviour of the filters was studied using (NaCl) tracer tests and monitoring the infiltration rate. This paper describes the influence on the performance of the beds of: (a) the characteristics of the medium (type of sand, depth, and presence of Phragmites); (b) feed modes; and (c) the presence of an algae clogging layer. The study demonstrates the viability of VFCWs and ISFs as means of upgrading effluent from WSPs. For hydraulic loads (HL) of up to 80 cm/day, both technologies effectively retain algae, complete organic matter degradation, and nitrify the pond effluent. The presence of plants did not significantly affect the performance of the filters although it was important in terms of maintenance. The deeper filters presented better removals for all the parameter tested, due to higher hydraulic detention times (HDTs). The dosing regime and resting period duration all affected the hydraulic performance and purification efficiency of the filters.     

Apparent clogging effect in vacuum-induced consolidation of dredged soil with prefabricated vertical drains

The improvement efficiency of a dredged slurry by vacuum preloading is greatly affected by the apparent clogging effect arising during the consolidation process, where the apparent clogging effect refers to the combined impacts of filter clogging and particle blinding around the drain due to particle migration and non-uniform consolidation. Three laboratory model tests with different types of soils were performed to investigate the apparent clogging effect. First, the filter clogging effect was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and cross-plane permeability tests. Second, changes in the particle size distribution due to particle migration were analysed at the micro- and macro-levels, and the particle migration induced blinding effect was assessed through the results of the compressibility and permeability tests. The test results indicated negligible particle migration in pure clay and relatively higher blinding effect in mixture soils. Finally, the effects of blinding due to particle migration and non-uniform consolidation on the overall consolidation rate were theoretically quantified. Both the analytical and tests results implied that the apparent clogging effect is predominantly by non-uniform consolidation rather than the particle migration-induced blinding effect, especially for cohesive marine clay.     

Untersuchung der Verockerungsneigung von Vertikalfilterbrunnen im Modellversuch

Operating wells are often influenced by performance losses which increase over time. These losses can be caused by clogging of system elements due to oxidation and precipitation of diluted Fe(II)- and Mn(II)-ions to Fe(III)- and Mn(IV)-hydroxides. The influence of iron clogging on the conductivity of the gravel pack??in particular on the hydraulic gradient in the gravel pack??is analyzed with a combined hydraulic and hydrogeochemical model of a vertical well in which the clogging process is accelerated by hydrochemical modifications. Over 295 h, the iron concentration in the filter gravel increased up to 15 g Fe per kg gravel. According to the preliminary findings, these incrustations induce an increase of the pressure loss in the filter gravel pack of nearly 30?%. After defining a test termination criterion, the model will be used for tests concerning different well material (screen and gravel pack) and methods for reduction of the incrustation (operation and regeneration) as well as for parametric studies.     

Modelling of hydraulic deterioration of geotextile filter in tunnel drainage system

The discharge capacity of a tunnel drainage system generally decreases with time because of the hydraulic deterioration of the geotextile filter. Hydraulic deterioration restricts groundwater flow into a tunnel and increases water pressure resulting in detrimental effects on the tunnel lining. Hydraulic deterioration of tunnel drainage system is unique in terms of clogging materials, deterioration mechanism, and flow conditions. Current studies and models investigating the clogging mechanism and hydraulic deterioration are not directly applicable to the geotextile filter of the tunnel drainage system. In this study, a theoretical model of the hydraulic deterioration of tunnel geotextile filter has been proposed considering the mechanical and hydraulic behavior of blinding, clogging and squeezing. A parametric study was carried out to evaluate the performance of the model. An experimental study has been conducted to investigate the clogging behavior of the tunnel drainage system and validate the theoretical model. Several types of clogging materials were selected: cement-leaching calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, iron oxide, and bentonite. Agglutinated clogging was mainly observed during the short-term testing. The findings suggest that the in-plane permeability of the geotextile filter decreased by approximately 90%. The proposed model corroborated the experimental results.     

Anaerobic treatment of fibreboard manufacturing wastewaters in a pilot scale hybrid usbf reactor.

The treatment of fibreboard manufacturing (FBM) wastewaters was carried out in an industrial pilot plant, which consisted of a hybrid upflow sludge bed filter (USBF) anaerobic reactor and a coagulation-flocculation unit as a pre-treatment. COD removal efficiencies of 90-93% were attained in the anaerobic reactor operating at 37degrees C at organic loading rates (OLR) of 6.5-8.5 kg COD/m3 d. Flocculant sludges were used as inoculum, and granulation was observed in the USBF reactor after 120 days of operation. The overall linear upward velocity (result of liquid and gas flow) was the key factor controlling biomass retention and, therefore, a stable operation at high OLR. According to ecotoxicity values (measured by means of bioluminescence assays), the wastewaters were partially detoxified, being EC50 values for the liquid effluent 25 times lower than those corresponding to the influent. Besides, phenolic compounds removal efficiencies of 90% were attained. The hybrid reactor configuration is an interesting alternative to treat these wastewaters since it is less sensitive to biomass clogging or floatation.     

Influence of microbial processes on the operation of a cold store in a shallow aquifer: impact on well injectivity and filter lifetime

In this study, the operation of a cold store, located in 30??0?m depth in the North German Basin, was investigated by direct counting of bacteria and genetic fingerprinting analysis. Quantification of microbes accounted for 1 to 10??0⁵ cells per ml fluid with minor differences in the microbial community composition between well and process fluids. The detected microorganisms belong to versatile phyla Proteobacteria and Flavobacteria. In addition to routine plant operation, a phase of plant malfunction caused by filter clogging was monitored. Increased abundance of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria indicated a change in the supply of electron acceptors, however, no changes in the availability of electron acceptors like nitrate or oxygen were detected. Sulfur- and iron-oxidizing bacteria played essential roles for the filter lifetimes at the topside facility and the injectivity of the wells due to the formation of biofilms and induced mineral precipitations. In particular, sulfur-oxidizing Thiothrix generated filamentous biofilms were involved in the filter clogging.     

The influence of design parameters on clogging of stormwater biofilters: A large-scale column study

A large-scale laboratory study was conducted to test the influence of design and operating conditions on the lifespan of stormwater biofilters. The evolution of hydraulic conductivity over time was studied in relation to a number of key design parameters (media type, filter depth, vegetation type, system sizing, etc). The biofilters were observed to clog over time, with average hydraulic conductivity decreasing by a factor of 3.6 over the 72 weeks of testing. The choice of plant species appears to have a significant effect on the rate of decrease in permeability, with plants with thick roots (e.g. Melaleuca) demonstrating an ability to maintain permeability over time. Other species studied, with finer roots, had no such beneficial effects. As expected, small systems relative to their catchment (and thus which are subjected to high loading rates) are more prone to clogging, as increases in hydraulic and sediment loading can lead to extremely low hydraulic conductivities. Sizing and the appropriate choice of vegetation are thus key elements in design because they can limit clogging, and therefore, indirectly increase annual load treated by limiting the volume of water bypassing the system.     

Control of start-up and operation of anaerobic biofilm reactors: An overview of 15 years of research

Anaerobic biofilm reactors have to be operated in a way that optimizes on one hand the start-up period by a quick growth of an active biofilm, on the other hand the regular operation by an active control of the biofilm to avoid diffusion limitations and clogging. This article is an overview of the research carried out at INRA-LBE for the last 15 years. The start-up of anaerobic biofilm reactors may be considerably shortened by applying a short inoculation period (i.e. contact between the inoculum and the support media). Then, the increase of the organic loading rate should be operated at a short hydraulic retention time and low hydrodynamic constraints in order to favor biofilm growth. After the start-up period, biofilm growth should be controlled to maintain a high specific activity and prevent clogging. This can be done in particulate biofilm systems by using hydrodynamics to increase or decrease shear forces and attrition but is much more difficult in anaerobic fixed bed reactors.     

The effect of submersion in the ochre formation in geotextile filters

This analyzes the effect of submersion in the formation of ochre biofilm in geotextile filters used in drainage systems. The chemical microbiological aspects involved in ochre formation and clogging of drainage systems are discussed. Clogging by ochre may be considered a major threat in the performance of filters and drainage systems. This process has been observed in the field and demonstrated in laboratory tests under well-controlled conditions. Oxygen is needed for ochre formation and is available at the water–air interface of the filters. If the filters are submerged, oxygen may also be available dissolved in the water, with higher concentrations close to the surface due to the diffusion process. Column filter tests with the introduction of iron bacteria under three different filter submersion conditions were carried out. Woven geotextile filters were used in all tests. Biofilm formation on the geotextile filters were evaluated through the analysis of EDS (Energy Dispersive X-ray detector) and scanning electron microscopy. Ochre formation was verified in all tests, confirming that ochre formation can occur even under submerged conditions. The formation of ochre biofilm decreased with the depth of the geotextile filter in relation to the water surface, following the expected reduction of available oxygen below the water surface.     

Particle loading rates for HVAC filters, heat exchangers, and ducts

The rate at which airborne particulate matter deposits onto heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) components is important from both indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy perspectives. This modeling study predicts size-resolved particle mass loading rates for residential and commercial filters, heat exchangers (i.e. coils), and supply and return ducts. A parametric analysis evaluated the impact of different outdoor particle distributions, indoor emission sources, HVAC airflows, filtration efficiencies, coils, and duct system complexities. The median predicted residential and commercial loading rates were 2.97 and 130 g/m(2) month for the filter loading rates, 0.756 and 4.35 g/m(2) month for the coil loading rates, 0.0051 and 1.00 g/month for the supply duct loading rates, and 0.262 g/month for the commercial return duct loading rates. Loading rates are more dependent on outdoor particle distributions, indoor sources, HVAC operation strategy, and filtration than other considered parameters. The results presented herein, once validated, can be used to estimate filter changing and coil cleaning schedules, energy implications of filter and coil loading, and IAQ impacts associated with deposited particles. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results in this paper suggest important factors that lead to particle deposition on HVAC components in residential and commercial buildings. This knowledge informs the development and comparison of control strategies to limit particle deposition. The predicted mass loading rates allow for the assessment of pressure drop and indoor air quality consequences that result from particle mass loading onto HVAC system components.     

Biofilm morphology as related to the porous media clogging

Aquifer recharge for the wastewater reuse has been considered and studied as a promising process to cope with the worldwide water scarcity. Soil clogging by an excessive growth of bacteria is often accompanied with the aquifer recharge. In this study, biofilm morphology and hydraulic conductivity were concurrently characterized at two flow rates and two levels of substrate concentrations. The experiments were conducted using a biofilm flow cell that was filled with glass beads. The biofilm images taken by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were quantified by textural, areal, and fractal parameters. Hydraulic conductivity was monitored during the experiments. The flow velocity influenced the superficial morphology of biofilms and initial clogging time, while the substrate concentration affected biofilm density and clogging rate. Three different clogging mechanisms were suggested depending on the flow rate and substrate concentration: (1) clogging at a high flow rate can be accelerated by entrapped and accumulated biofilms, and can be easily eliminated by high shear force, (2) clogging at a low flow rate can be delayed for the time of local biofilm growths in the narrow pore necks, but the biofilm is rigid enough not to be sloughed, and (3) clogging in a solution with high substrate concentrations cannot be easily eliminated because of the growth of dense biofilms. The depicted biological clogging mechanisms will play a role in supporting studies about aquifer recharge.     

透水混凝土人行道的空隙堵塞现状及成因分析

为了研究透水混凝土人行道的空隙堵塞现状和成因,以南京市已建成的透水混凝土人行道为例,进行路面空隙堵塞状况的现场调研与试验,结合施工工艺、堵塞物成分及交通环境等因素对透水混凝土人行道的空隙堵塞的原因进行分析。研究结果表明:透水混凝土人行道使用一年后的透水性能衰减率高达96.36%,空隙堵塞非常严重;堵塞物中的有机物含量仅为1.5%~5.8%,造成空隙堵塞的主要物质是砂土和骨料等无机堵塞物;混合料离析和表面保护剂的不均匀喷涂使建成初期人行道表面24%~40%的区域存在空隙堵塞问题;行人交通量对空隙堵塞的影响很大,主要体现在带入泥土和油污等堵塞物、引起表层保护剂磨损和骨料剥离。     

新近吹填淤泥地基真空固结失效原因分析及对策

新近吹填淤泥地基经无砂垫层真空预压技术加固后,土体强度增长有限,地基有效加固深度小,地基承载力仍然较低。为了深入分析新近吹填淤泥地基真空固结失效原因,首先对不同地区新近吹填淤泥的工程特性进行了系统地研究,然后采用3种典型的竖向排水体进行了室内真空固结单井模型对比试验研究,研究结果表明：①新近吹填淤泥中黏粒含量（d0.005 mm）过高、竖向排水体反滤层的等效孔径过小、真空加载速度过快是竖向排水体出现较严重淤堵现象的主要原因;②排水系统内的真空度局部损失较大,竖向排水体弯曲程度大和水平排水垫层中真空度传递阻力大均致使较大的真空度沿程损失;③土体中强亲水矿物含量较高、排水体中出现严重的淤堵现象和过大的真空度损失等共同降低了排水系统的排水效率,削弱了土体中的真空压力作用,最终致使土体的加固效果不理想。最后,有针对性地提出了相应的解决对策。     

Removal of particulate matter and phosphorus in sand filters treating stormwater and drainage runoff: a case study

Runoff is often delayed and treated in wet ponds to retain particles and particulate substances. To increase the treatment efficiency, a sand filter can be placed before the outlet. The filter material is often renewed after 10–15 years due to presumed clogging by trapped particles, but often it clogs much earlier. Knowledge of how clogging develops over time is therefore important. This study has examined two filters, focusing on particle size, content and placement of particles, organic matter (OM) and phosphorus (P) retained in the filter. The study concludes that both particles and P are retained in the upper few cm’s of the filter, causing clogging after a few years, thus leaving the deeper filter material unused. Even small particles (<63 µm) are efficiently retained as long as clogging is avoided. This is preferable, as runoff is rich in small particles and as particulate P is associated with the small particles.     

Retention and removal of pathogenic bacteria in wastewater percolating through porous media: a review

Properly designed biological filters or infiltration systems have the capacity to significantly reduce effluent concentrations of pathogenic microorganisms in wastewater. The retention and elimination of microbial cells in biological wastewater filter systems is influenced by several factors. In this review, these factors are discussed. Immobilization of microbial cells moving through a porous media is influenced by mechanisms such as physical straining as well as adsorption to porous media. The grain size of porous media and bacterial cell size are important factors affecting the straining of bacteria, as are the hydraulic loading rate or the extent of clogging layer development in the filter. Adsorption of cells to the porous media is influenced by the content of organic matter, degree of biofilm development, and electrostatic attraction due to ion strength of the solution or electrostatic charges of cell- and particle surfaces. The rate of inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms, in adsorbed or liquid phases, has been shown to be affected by abiotic and biotic factors such as moisture content, pH, temperature, organic matter, bacterial species, predation, and antagonistic symbiosis between microorganisms in the system.     

Simulating pesticides in ditches to assess ecological risk (SPIDER): II. Benchmarking for the drainage model

SPIDER (simulating pesticides in ditches to assess ecological risk) is a locally distributed, capacitance-based model that accounts for pesticide entry into surface water bodies via spray drift, surface runoff, interlayer flow and drainage. SPIDER was developed for application to small agricultural catchments. Transport of pesticide from site of application to surface water via subsurface field drains is one of the major routes of entry to surface water. Several pesticide fate models describe transfer of pesticide via drainflow, notably MACRO which has been evaluated against field data in several studies. The capacity of SPIDER to simulate drainflow and pesticide concentration in drain water was evaluated against two datasets that had been used previously to evaluate MACRO independently of this study: a plot experiment at Cockle Park and a field experiment at Maidwell, both located in the UK. In both circumstances, SPIDER was able to reproduce drain hydrographs relatively well with no or limited calibration. At Cockle Park, simulated and observed drainflow over the season were 240 and 278 mm, respectively with a Nash and Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSME) coefficient of 0.32 whilst at Maidwell they were 259 and 296 mm, respectively with a NSME coefficient of 0.55. Prediction of maximum isoproturon concentration at Cockle Park by SPIDER and MACRO were 5.3 and 13.1 microg L(- 1) respectively compared to the 3.8 microg L(- 1) measured in the field, whilst pesticide load to drains over the season were 0.22 and 1.53 g, respectively, compared to an observed load of 0.35 g. Maximum sulfosulfuron concentration at Maidwell were 2.3, 3.9 and 5.4 microg L(- 1) for observed and as simulated by SPIDER and MACRO, respectively and pesticide loading to drains of the season was 0.77, 5.61, 4.77 g, respectively. Results from the sensitivity analysis showed that the sensitivity of SPIDER compared favourably to that of several other capacity models but was more sensitive than MACRO to variations in input parameters. SPIDER is currently being tested at the catchment scale.