Impact of filter media on the performance of full-scale recirculating biofilters for treating multi-residential wastewater

The main objective of this paper was to evaluate the effectiveness of silica sand, crushed glass, peat, and geotextile as a medium in RBFs in the removal for organic matter, nutrients and bacteria from domestic wastewater based on a field-scale study. In particular, this field-scale study was conducted to treat domestic wastewater from a small community of 10 households from the Municipality of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. The average influent 5d biochemical oxygen demand (BOD(5)) and total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations into the field filter system were 381+/-64 (mean+/-standard deviation) and 46+/-21 mg/L, respectively. The results showed that crushed glass could be an effective medium in RBFs since the crushed glass filter produced stable effluent BOD(5) and TSS concentrations of less than 20mg/L. Geotextile was found to be another successful alternative filter medium with the effluent BOD(5) and TSS of 18+/-11 and 11+/-7 mg/L, respectively, even though the porosity of geotexitle filter was as high as 0.90. Peat was not able to provide efficient performance due to its poor BOD(5) and NH(4)(+)-N removals. This study measured the water quality variation at different components of the RBFs. The results of this study showed that the recirculation tank was the main facilitator of the denitrification process. In addition, this study found that RBFs could efficiently treat domestic wastewater for BOD(5) removal under the organic loading rates as high as 0.070 kg/m(2)/d.     

Incorporation of inorganic material in anoxic/aerobic-activated sludge system mixed liquor

In the bioreactor of the nitrification denitrification (ND)-activated sludge system, the mixed liquor is made up of organic and inorganic materials. In the current design procedures and simulation models, the influent wastewater characteristics and biological processes that influence the bioreactor mixed liquor organic solids (as volatile suspended solids, VSS, or COD) are explicitly included. However, the mixed liquor total suspended solids (TSS, i.e. organic+inorganic solids) are calculated simply from empirical ratios of VSS/TSS. The TSS concentration is fundamental in the design of secondary settling tanks and waste activated sludge disposal. Clearly, the empirical approach to obtaining an estimate for TSS is not satisfactory within the framework of a fundamentally based model. Accordingly, the incorporation of the inorganic material present in the influent wastewater into ND-activated sludge system mixed liquor was investigated. From an experimental investigation into the distribution of inorganics in the influent, mixed liquor and effluent of a laboratory-scale ND-activated sludge system, it was concluded inter alia that (i) of the total inorganic solids in the influent, only a small fraction (2.8–7.5%) is incorporated into the mixed liquor, (ii) most of the inorganics in the influent (mean 88%) and effluent (mean 98.5%) are in the dissolved form, the balance being particulate, and (iii) the influent and effluent inorganic dissolved solids concentrations are closely equal (mean effluent to influent ratio 100%). Further, a number of models were developed to quantify the mixed liquor inorganic, and, hence, total solids. From an evaluation of these models against the experimental data, it would appear that the best approach to model the incorporation of inorganics into the activated sludge mixed liquor is to follow the concepts and principles used to develop the existing models for organic materials. With this approach, reasonably close correlation between predicted and measured data for mixed liquor and effluent inorganic concentrations were obtained.     

The risks from airborne asbestos in the urban environment

The objective of this full‐scale study is to determine the treatment performance of the activated sludge process for treating low strength municipal wastewater. The plant is located in Painesville, Ohio, and discharges its treated effluent into Grand River. The average plant wastewater flow was 3.43 MGD (million gallons per day). The plant performance was evaluated for a 12‐month period in 1989. The low strength municipal wastewater contained 104 mg/L TSS (total suspended solids), 105 mg/L BOD (biochemical oxygen demand), 17.76 mg/L TKN (total kjeldahl nitrogen), 9.66 mg/L NH₃‐N, and 3.90 mg/L P (phosphorus). The treatment performance after various degrees of treatment is as follows: primary treatment: 30% BOD and 54% TSS removal, secondary treatment: 97% BOD and 87% TSS removal, and tertiary treatment: 98% BOD and 98% TSS removal. The primary effluent contained 73 mg/L BOD and 48 mg/L TSS; the secondary effluent contained 3 mg/L BOD and 13 mg/L TSS; and the final effluent contained 2 mg/L BOD and 2 mg/L TSS. The effluent contained 0.22 mg/L NH₃‐N and 0.49 mg/L P, which were far below the US EPA standard of 10 mg/L BOD, 10 mg/L TSS, 1 mg/L NH₃‐N, and 1 mg/L P.     

Color removal from cotton textile industry wastewater in an activated sludge system with various additives

The low biodegradability of many dyes and textile chemicals indicates that biological treatment is not always successful in the treatment of cotton textile wastewater, in terms of color removal. In this study, a specific organic flocculant (Marwichem DEC), powdered activated carbon (PAC), bentonite, activated clay and commercial synthetic inorganic clay (Macrosorb) were directly added into the activated sludge laboratory pilot plant model. Before dosage, the optimum sludge retention time and hydraulic retention time were determined as 30 days and 1.6 days, respectively. The Monod kinetic constants were determined as Y = 0.76 kg MLSS/kg COD, Kd = 0.026 l/day, K(S) = 113.3 mg/L, k = 0.42 l/day and mu(max) = 0.32 kg MLSS/kg COD day. Under these conditions the average COD removal was 94% and color removal was 36%. The addition of these materials did not change COD removal significantly. The most effective materials were found to be DEC and PAC for color removal. While the color removal efficiency for 120 mg/L DEC addition was 78%, it was 65% for 100 mg/L, 77% for 200 mg/L and 86% for 400 mg/L PAC addition. The advantage of DEC compared to PAC was the lower sludge production. Statistical analyses using multiple linear regression indicate that there is no relationship between the effluent color with the influent color and total suspended solids (TSS) for DEC and PAC addition. On the other hand, when only bentonite, activated clay and Macrosorb were added, the effluent color was primarily dependent on the influent color and the TSS concentration had little effect. When the data is examined by using Kruskal-Wallis H and Mann-Whitney U tests and it was found that there was a significant difference between the color data groups.     

Enhanced nutrient removal by biological treatment systems

The importance of nitrogen and phosphorus in stimulating eutrophic conditions in receiving waters has been well documented. As a result, over the last decade an increased emphasis has been placed on limiting these elements in wastewater effluents. In the future, new discharge permits will include limits on both of these elements.

In 1985 a research program was initiated to conduct a pilot plant study of an anoxic/anaerobic/aerobic treatment train using primary effluent. The facility was operated at varying flow and Qr/Q ratios, and at effective mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentrations of 3100 mg/L. The results of the first 13 month operational phase indicated that the effluent concentrations of total BOD₅, TSS and nitrate nitrogen were less than 5 mg/L. Ammonia nitrogen was less than 0.2 mg/L. The solids settleability was excellent, and foaming due to Norcadia, was effectively controlled. The average overall phosphorus removal was 48%. Influent BOD₅ concentrations of less than 100 mg/L significantly reduced the system's ability to remove phosphorus. A strong relationship between the amount of carbon source in the influent, phosphorus release in the anoxic and anaerobic tanks and phosphorus uptake in the aeration basin was established.     

The effects of media size on the performance of biological aerated filters

Biological aerated filters (BAFs) are an attractive process option, particularly when low land usage is required. They can combine BOD, solids and ammoniacal nitrogen removal and can be utilised at both secondary and tertiary stages of wastewater treatment. Media selection is critical in the design and operation of BAFs to achieve effluent quality requirements. Two size ranges, 1.5-3.5 and 2.5-4.5 mm, of a foamed clay called StarLight C were used in pilot-scale reactors. Both performed well as BAF media, with reactor loads up to 12 kg COD m(-3) d and 4 kg suspended solids m(-3) d (based on working volumes). The most consistent effluent was obtained using the smaller medium since, at flow rates above 0.41 min(-1), the BAF using the larger medium produced an effluent containing more than 20 mg l(-1) of suspended solids for over 30 min after backwashing. Up to 70% longer run times, as determined by reaching a set head loss, were recorded for the BAF containing the larger rather than the smaller medium. Additionally, the development of pressure above the smaller medium filter bed tended to be logarithmic rather than linear. Reactor profiles indicated that suspended solids removal did not occur over the full 2.3 m depth of the columns. The BAF containing the smaller medium utilised a mean depth of 1.7 +/- 0.3 m, whereas a mean depth of 2.1 +/- 0.3 m was used by the larger medium BAF. Both the head loss development data and the suspended solids removal profiles indicated that the smaller medium BAF was underperforming as a filter.     

Process modeling and analysis of palm oil mill effluent treatment in an up-flow anaerobic sludge fixed film bioreactor using response surface methodology (RSM)

In this study, the interactive effects of feed flow rate (QF) and up-flow velocity (V up) on the performance of an up-flow anaerobic sludge fixed film (UASFF) reactor treating palm oil mill effluent (POME) were investigated. Long-term performance of the UASFF reactor was first examined with raw POME at a hydraulic loading rate (HRT) of 3 d and an influent COD concentration of 44300 mg/l. Extreme reactor instability was observed after 25 d. Raw POME was then chemically pretreated and used as feed. Anaerobic digestion of pretreated POME was modeled and analyzed with two operating variables, i.e. feed flow rate and up-flow velocity. Experiments were conducted based on a central composite face-centered design (CCFD) and analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM). The region of exploration for digestion of the pretreated POME was taken as the area enclosed by the feed flow rate (1.01, 7.63 l/d) and up-flow velocity (0.2, 3 m/h) boundaries. Twelve dependent parameters were either directly measured or calculated as response. These parameters were total COD (TCOD) removal, soluble COD (SCOD) removal, effluent pH, effluent total volatile fatty acid (TVFA), effluent bicarbonate alkalinity (BA), effluent total suspended solids (TSS), CH4 percentage in biogas, methane yield (Y M), specific methanogenic activity (SMA), food-to-sludge ratio (F/M), sludge height in the UASB portion and solid retention time (SRT). The optimum conditions for POME treatment were found to be 2.45 l/d and 0.75 m/h for QF and V up, respectively (corresponding to HRT of 1.5 d and recycle ratio of 23.4:1). The present study provides valuable information about interrelations of quality and process parameters at different values of the operating variables.     

地埋式循环滤料曝气生物滤池处理博物馆污水

采用以循环滤料曝气生物滤池（BAF）为主体的地埋式一体化设备处理博物馆污水。运行结果表明,设计水量为80m3/d,进水COD、SS、NH3-N平均浓度分别为320、200、40mg/L时,处理后出水相应指标分别降至45、30、8mg/L,出水水质达到《污水综合排放标准》（GB 8978—1996）的一级标准。     

A pilot study of constructed wetlands using duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) for treatment of domestic primary effluent in Israel

Constructed wetlands are well known as highly efficient system to treat wastewater from different sources. This treatment system is cost-effective for reuse in desert areas. A continuous flow, free water surface (FWS) pilot wetland using the duckweed plant Lemna gibba L. was constructed at the Blaustein Institute for Desert Research in Kiryat Sde Boker of the Negev, Israel, and operated on domestic primary effluents. Water quality and system efficiency were observed during the experiment for reuse purposes. Results indicated that, hydraulic residence time averaged 4.26+/-0.61d, average influent flow rate was 0.234+/-0.027m(3)/d and hydraulic load 0.22+/-0.03m/d. Hydraulic efficiency in the system was high and allowed good settling conditions. Suspended solids and organic matter removals were the highest and effluent concentrations were 13.1+/-9.7 and 40.3+/-11.9mg/l for TSS and total BOD(5), respectively. Nitrogen removal was lower (10-20%) but slightly increased with higher nitrogen loads. Therefore, nitrogen content in the plants was high (4.3+/-0.5%/kg dry plant). Phosphorus removal was negligible. High removal for fecal coliform (approximately 95%) and effluent turbidity (> 50%) were also observed.     

A predictive model for the reactor inorganic suspended solids concentration in activated sludge systems

A simple predictive model for the activated sludge reactor inorganic suspended solids (ISS) concentration (excluding that from chemical precipitant dosing) is presented. It is based on the accumulation of influent ISS in the reactor and an ordinary heterotrophic organism (OHO) ISS content (fiOHO) of 0.15 mg ISS/mg OHO organic (volatile) suspended solids (VSS) and a variable phosphate accumulating organism (PAO) ISS content (fiPAO) proportional to their P content (fXBGP). Organism ISS content is conceptualized as the uptake of dissolved inorganic solids by active organisms, which when dried in the total suspended solids (TSS) test procedure, precipitate and manifest as ISS. The model is validated with data from 22 investigations conducted over the past 15 years on 30 aerobic and anoxic-aerobic nitrification-denitrification (ND) systems and 18 anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic ND biological excess P removal (BEPR) systems variously fed artificial and real wastewater, and operated from 3 to 20 days sludge age. The predicted reactor VSS/TSS ratio reflects the observed relative sensitivity to sludge age, which is low, and to BEPR, which is high. To use the model for design, two parameters need to be known: (1) the influent ISS concentration, which is not commonly measured in wastewater characterization analyses and (2) the P content of PAOs (fXBGP), which can vary considerably depending on the extent of anoxic P uptake BEPR that takes place in the system. Some guidance on the measurement of influent ISS concentration and selection of the PAO P content to calculate the mixed liquor VSS/TSS ratio for design is given.     

Suspended solids in Missouri reservoirs in relation to catchment features and internal processes

Mean total suspended solids (TSS), in 135 Missouri reservoirs range from 1.2 to 47 mg/l. The volatile (VSS) and non-volatile (NVSS) fractions range from 0.6 to 9.6 mg/l and 0.5 to 37 mg/l, respectively. %NVSS is the larger fraction and declines through summer as %VSS increases. Suspended solids (particularly VSS) correlate with metrics of lake trophic state and are positively related with the proportion of cropland (%C, r = 0.69-0.74) in their catchments, negatively related with forest cover (r = -0.54 to -0.56), and weakly related with grassland (r < 0.31). Regressions including %C with dam height (representing morphometry) and flushing rate (representing hydrology), explain approximately 70% of cross-system variation in TSS and 67% in VSS. Dam height and %C explain 57% of variation in NVSS. Residual analysis shows statewide models under-predict suspended solids in urban reservoirs. Effects of catchment features on summer TSS largely reflect internal plankton growth mediated by influent nutrients (affecting VSS) over direct sediment input (affecting NVSS).     

阴离子交换膜生物反应器反硝化性能的研究

考察了进水硝酸盐浓度对阴离子交换膜生物反应器反硝化性能的影响。试验结果表明,当进水NO3-为47.01～168.55mg/L时,流动池出水中的NO3-N浓度满足我国生活饮用水水质标准中小于10mg/L的要求(NO3-≤44.29mg/L)。厌氧生物反应器对硝酸盐具有较高的反硝化性能。流动池出水中的Cl-浓度随着进水NO3-浓度的增加而升高,但出水pH值稳定在6.8左右。出水总有机碳浓度与进水的保持一致,表明其未受到"二次污染"和"微生物污染"。     

Effect of backwashing on perchlorate removal in fixed bed biofilm reactors

The influence of backwashing on biological perchlorate reduction was evaluated in two laboratory scale fixed bed biofilm reactors using 1- or 3-mm glass beads as support media. Influent perchlorate concentrations were 50 microg/L and acetate was added as the electron donor at a concentration of 2 mg C/L. Perchlorate removal was evaluated at various influent dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations. Complete perchlorate removal was achieved with an influent DO concentration of 1mg/L resulting in bulk phase DO concentrations below the detection limit of 0.01 mg/L. The influence of increasing influent DO concentrations for 12 h periods was evaluated before and after individual backwash events. Partial perchlorate removal was achieved with an influent DO concentration of 3.5 mg/L before a strong backwash (bulk phase DO concentrations of approximately 0.2mg/L), while no perchlorate removal was observed after the strong backwash at the same influent DO level (bulk phase DO concentrations of approximately 0.8 mg/L). The immediate effect of backwashing depended on influent DO concentrations. With influent DO concentrations of 1 mg/L, strong backwashing resulted in a brief (<12 h) increase of effluent perchlorate concentrations up to 20 microg/L; more pronounced effects were observed with influent DO concentrations of 3mg/L. Daily weak backwashing had a small and, over time, decreasing negative influence on perchlorate reduction, while daily strong backwashing ultimately resulted in the breakdown of perchlorate removal with influent DO concentrations of 3 mg/L.     

Upgrading Biological Filter Effluents Using the TF/SC Process

The trickling filter/solids contact process has been shown to be an excellent means of upgrading biological filter plants in North America, and about 100 plants have been built since 1979 in both cold and warm climates, and on both large and small works. A variety of effluent requirements has been satisfied consistently, including monthly average BOD and SS concentrations of 10 mg/l and 10 mg/l respectively. Key design features are described, including the use of an aerated solids contact tank to flocculate dispersed solids. Also, a flocculator-clarifier with special design features allows the use of high overflow rates and smaller sedimentation tanks.     

Chemisorption of oxygen onto activated carbon can enhance the stability of biological perchlorate reduction in fixed bed biofilm reactors

Fixed bed biofilm reactors with granular activated carbon (GAC) or glass beads as support media were used to evaluate the influence of short-term (12h) and long-term (23 days) increases of influent dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations on biological perchlorate removal. The goal was to evaluate the extent by which chemisorption of oxygen to GAC can enhance the stability of biological perchlorate reduction. Baseline influent concentrations were 50 microg/L of perchlorate, 2 mg/L of acetate as C, and 1mg/L of DO. Perchlorate removal in the glass bead reactor seized immediately after increasing influent DO concentrations from 1 to 4 mg/L since glass beads have no sorptive capacity. In the biologically active carbon (BAC) reactor, chemisorption of oxygen to GAC removed a substantial fraction of the influent DO, and perchlorate removal was maintained during short-term increases of influent DO levels up to 8 mg/L. During long-term exposure to influent DO concentrations of 8.5mg/L, effluent perchlorate and DO concentrations increased slowly. Subsequent exposure of the BAC reactor bed to low DO concentrations partially regenerated the capacity for oxygen chemisorption. Microbial analyses indicated similar microbial communities in both reactors, which confirmed that the differences in reactor performance during dynamic loading conditions could be attributed to the sorptive properties of GAC. Using a sorptive biofilm support medium can enhance biological perchlorate removal under dynamic loading conditions.     

Meeting the phosphorus consent with biological nutrient removal under UK winter conditions

It is estimated that up to 342 wastewater treatment plants (Wwtps) in England and Wales will require a phosphorus (P) consent by 2010. Although biological P removal is considered to be the most sustainable option for P removal, it has always been problematic for plants that remove both nitrogen and P due to the inadequate concentration of organic material during wet periods. Two biological nutrient removal (BNR) configurations, the Johannesburg (JHB) process and a combined JHB and five-stage Bardenpho process, were evaluated over a period of 2 years to assess the impact of sewage strength on bio-P removal. The JHB achieved an average effluent total phosphorus (TP) of 2.4 mg/L and the combined JHB and five-stage process averaged 1.4 mg/L effluent TP. The major problems affecting the performance of both configurations were: dissolved oxygen (DO) in the recycled mixed liquor, nitrate in the return activated sludge (RAS) and low influent biological oxygen demand (BOD) concentrations. Acetate dosing proved successful as a source of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the anaerobic zone during periods of low-strength sewage. An acetate dosing strategy based on the influent flow rate to the plant was found to be a simple and effective technique that ensured that a consent of <1 mg TP/L could be met.     

BAF深度处理二沉池出水的抗冲击能力研究

采用BAF深度处理污水厂二沉池出水,考察了水力负荷和污染负荷冲击对其处理效果的影响。结果表明,BAF对水力负荷冲击有一定的耐受能力,当气水比为2∶1、滤速为2m/h时,对COD和氨氮的去除效果较好,平均去除率分别达到39.59%、81.99%,平均出水浓度分别为16.9、0.3mg/L。同时BAF具有较强的抗污染负荷冲击能力,当进水COD为21.06～55.13mg/L时,出水COD稳定在15mg/L左右,平均去除率在30%以上;当进水氨氮在0.17～5mg/L之间波动时,出水氨氮基本保持在0.3mg/L以下。这表明BAF作为深度处理工艺,具有很好的抗冲击能力,能够保证出水水质的稳定性。     

Anoxic treatment of phenolic wastewater in sequencing batch reactor

Studies were conducted on the anoxic phenol removal using granular denitrifying sludge in sequencing batch reactor at different cycle lengths and influent phenol concentrations. Results showed that removal exceeded 80% up to an influent phenol concentration of 1050 mg/l at 6 h cycle length, which corresponded to 6.4 kg COD/m3/d. Beyond this, there was a steep decrease in phenol and COD removal efficiencies. This was accompanied by an increase in nitrite concentration in the effluent. On an average, 1 g nitrate-N was consumed per 3.4 g phenol COD removal. Fraction of COD available for sludge growth was calculated to be 11%.     

改性砂高速过滤技术用于污水再生回用的研究

采用SJ材料作为改性剂对石英砂滤料进行改性,经测定,其表面的物理化学性能优于石英砂.将改性砂应用于煤砂双层滤料高速过滤工艺,并处理某污水厂的二级出水,其出水的平均浊度、COD、UV254、PO43--P分别为1.23 NTU、27.4 mg/L、0.133 5 cm-1、0.42 mg/L,对各项指标的去除率均高于石英砂滤料,且完全符合GB/T 18920-2002标准中的城市杂用水水质要求.研究发现,高速过滤工艺应该以自然条件下的最大滤速为起始滤速;污染物积累和滤层负压导致水中溶解气体的析出会减小有效过水断面面积,这是引起滤速衰减的主要原因.