Removal of ammonium from human urine through ion exchange with clinoptilolite and its recovery for further reuse.

Ammonium, from separately collected human urine, had been removed through transfer onto the ammonium selective natural zeolite, clinoptilolite, through ion exchange. In the subsequent treatment steps of washing with tap water, ammonium removed from urine was eluted from the surface of the clinoptilolite to be recovered for further reuse. Different quantities of clinoptilolite were used for a survey of the capacity of the zeolite for the process and to identify removal efficiencies based on initial ammonium loads. The highest surface concentration attained under experimental conditions employed was 15.44 mg ammonium per gram of clinoptilolite for an initial concentration of 110 mg ammonia per litre, and the highest removal was 98%, obtained for a loading of 1 mg ammonium per gram clinoptilolite. In the subsequent elution process, better removals were observed as pH was increased and the highest removal was attained at pH 13. The recovery was calculated as 9.73 mg ammonium per gram of clinoptilolite, corresponding to an efficiency of 63% only through washing with tap water. The results have given positive indications for the possibility of using ion exchange with clinoptilolite for the removal of ammonium from human urine and an incentive for improving methods of elution for its recovery for further reuse.     

Waste stabilization ponds and rock filters: solutions for small communities.

In temperate climates facultative ponds and rock filters (either unaerated or, if ammonia removal is required, aerated) are a low-cost but high-performance treatment system for small rural communities. Effluent quality is suitable for surface water discharge or, in summer, for restricted crop irrigation. In tropical climates anaerobic and facultative ponds and either unaerated rock filters or, if ammonia reduction is required, subsurface horizontal-flow or vertical-flow constructed wetland, can be used if the effluents are discharged to surface waters. However, if the treated wastewater is to be used for crop irrigation, then a 3-log unit pathogen reduction by treatment in anaerobic, facultative and single maturation ponds is required for both restricted and unrestricted irrigation, provided that, in the case of unrestricted irrigation, there are in place post-treatment health-protection control measures that together provide a further 4-log unit pathogen reduction.     

Assessment of Impact of Filter Design Variables on Clogging in Stormwater Filters

Stormwater filters are widely used in stormwater management, sometimes as standalone structures (e.g. stormwater filter beds), or as part of porous pavements, soak ways, infiltration basins and trenches. Due to the high levels of sediment present in stormwater, clogging is the main operational issue for these systems. A laboratory-based study was conducted to investigate the effect of filter bed design variables on the clogging phenomenon in non-vegetated stormwater filters with high infiltration rates. Design parameters studied include: filter media particle sizes (0.5 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm); depth of the filter bed (100 mm, 300 mm and 500 mm); and filter media packing configurations (layered or mixed). The size of filter media particles significantly impact the clogging process, as well as the overall sediment removal performance of the filters; filters with smaller particles had better sediment removal efficiency, but subsequently shorter lifespan. Deeper systems had longer lifespan compared with shallower ones, notwithstanding deeper systems removed more sediment over their life span. Having two layers of distinct sized media in the filter bed improved performance (e.g. volume of water treated; sediment removed) over the single-layered systems. However, the three-layered systems behaved similarly to two-layered systems. Mixed systems also showed improved performance, as compared with single-layered systems, and were similar to the three-layered systems. This study therefore suggests that simple modifications to a stormwater filtration system can help improve sediment removal performance and/or reduce maintenance intervals significantly, while only slightly affecting sediment removal performance.     

Monitoring of biological odour filtration in closed environments with olfactometry and an electronic nose.

Air treatment with a compact biological membrane filter, and air quality monitoring with an electronic nose were tested in the laboratory on air from a cage containing six mice. Additional analyses of air to and from the filter were performed using olfactometry and ammonia and hydrogen sulphide gas detection tubes. The biological air filter is a module containing biofilm-coated membrane fibres that separate a closed liquid loop from a gas phase. Odour compounds and oxygen diffuse through the membranes from the gas phase to the biofilm, where they are degraded to carbon dioxide and water. The prototype "ENQBE" electronic nose is based on an array of eight thickness shear mode resonators (TSMR), also known in the literature as quartz microbalance sensors. The chemical sensitivity is given by molecular films of metalloporphyrins and similar compounds. Chemical interaction of compounds in the air with the vibrating sensors induces a frequency change of the vibration that can be measured as a signal. The air from the mouse cage had a strong odour (3490 OUE/m3). The biological membrane filter performed well, achieving over 80% odour and ammonia reduction. The electronic nose signal could be correlated with the inlet and outlet air-quality of the biological filter, making it a promising method for monitoring air quality in closed environments.     

不同填料曝气生物滤池启动挂膜试验研究

不同填料曝气生物滤池在相同条件下进行挂膜试验。进水流向为上流式,挂膜方式为复合接种挂膜,即先用活性污泥闷曝接种,然后逐步提高进水流速,直到滤料表面形成稳定的生物膜。结果表明:33 d后挂膜成功,在温度为16～24℃,水力停留时间(HRT)为1 h,DO为6 mg/L的情况下,陶粒BAF对CODMn和NH3—N的去除率分别为23%和80%;沸石BAF的去除率分别为27%和84%;组合填料BAF去除效果最好,去除率分别为32%和92%。     

Diphasic transfer of oxygen in vertical flow filters: a modelling approach

Oxygen renewal, as a prominent phenomenon for aerobic bacterial activity, deeply impacts vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW) treatment efficiency. The authors introduce a multiphase model able to simulate oxygen transfer in VFCWs. It is based on a two-phase flow module, and a transport module. The transport module is able to deal with convection/diffusion phenomena, inter-phase (air-water) mass exchange, and first-order kinetics. The first results displayed for the air phase allow us to draw the following ideas on the design of vertical filters. The ponding phenomenon is more efficient for oxygen renewal than non-ponding batch loading: it provides a higher value, sooner, and deeper in the filter. In non-colonised filters and for standard batch loading, oxygen convection in the air phase is predominant for oxygen renewal. The seepage front limits oxygen renewal through the bottom of the filter and leads to an insufficient oxygen concentration on the lowest part of the filter.     

曝气生物滤池降解规律试验研究

采用实际分散型生活污水作为试验原水,对曝气生物滤池的降解规律进行了试验研究。结果表明,与传统的观点不同,曝气生物滤池在处理低浓度有机废水时并不发生严格的有机物与氨氮的分段去除现象,有机废水氨氮与有机质基本在同一区域内去除,滤料在10～40cm段的去除率增长速度最快,在70cm之后去除率的增长开始逐渐变缓。在进口段,由于有机质浓度高,供氧充足,有机质的去除率较高;由于异养菌和氨化菌的作用,氨氮浓度在进口段不但不减少,反有微小升高。     

Improving nitrogen reduction in waste stabilisation ponds.

This paper reviews the performance of two waste stablisation ponds (WSP) systems in the South Island of New Zealand that have been upgraded to multiple ponds-in-series to improve effluent quality. Results of monitoring are provided which show that it is possible to achieve relatively low ammonia (approximately 1 g/m3) and total nitrogen (approximately 10 g/m3) effluent concentrations through the use of nitrification filter beds (rock trickling filters) and sand filters. Evidence suggests that the nitrification and denitrification processes in the extra biofilm surface area provided by the rock filters or rock bank protection is primarily responsible for the improved effluent quality. The paper also compares the WSP results with effluent quality predicted by published formulae. It is concluded that these formulae do not reliably predict the performance of WSP systems and the development of universally applicable design guidelines would be useful.     

Ion exchange with natural zeolites: an alternative for water softening?

Possibility of using natural zeolites for water softening was investigated. Quantitative data regarding separation of calcium from water at various levels of hardness through ion exchange with the ammonium selective natural zeolite clinoptilolite is reported. Capacity of the zeolite towards calcium removal in the presence of ammonium at low concentrations and calcium at higher concentrations, and breakthrough characteristics are presented. The results have revealed that removal of calcium, and hence hardness, through ion exchange with clinoptilolite under those circumstances is a promising alternative, with surface capacities reaching 11 mg calcium/g clinoptilolite.     

Purification of turbine condensate in the lumped desalinization units of the Mosénergo TÉTs-22 Heat and Electric Power Plant

Purification of turbine condensate by mechanical and ion exchange resin (ionite) filters in lumped desalinization units is examined. Loading mechanical filters with styrene copolymer and divinyl benzene ensures efficient removal of petroleum products and iron, but does not fulfil the task of removing polar organic compounds. The ionite part of a lumped desalinization unit ensures removal of easily electrolyzed compounds and silicic acid but is ineffective with regard to capture of organic contamination and iron, which indicates significant contamination of the load in the combination filter by organic compounds. “Cold” (standard) and “hot” regeneration of the anionite load are undertaken. Greater extraction of organic substances is observed with “hot” regeneration. Translated from élektricheskie stantsii, No. 5, May 2008, pp. 17–22.     

Stormwater reuse: designing biofiltration systems for reliable treatment.

Stormwater reuse is increasing in popularity as a technique for overcoming water shortages in urban Australia. However, technology for the reliable treatment of stormwater for reuse is still not fully developed. This paper presents the first steps in refining biofilters for stormwater reuse. Six different filter media were selected, to target specific stormwater pollutants, as well as support plant growth. They were tested in the laboratory, where the filters were dosed three times per week with semi-synthetic stormwater for five weeks. Pollutant removal performance was monitored, and revealed that all soil-based filters performed similarly (while sand filters behaved somewhat differently). All filters removed more than 80% of solids and greater than 90% of lead, copper, and zinc. Three filter types were able to remove some phosphorus (particularly in the top 30 cm of the media). Apart from sand, all filter media were net producers of nitrogen, leading to an important conclusion that non-vegetated, soil-based filters are not suitable for targeting nutrients. However, since heavy metals are the primary pollutant of concern with respect to stormwater reuse for irrigation (the most popular end-use), it was concluded that biofilters may be promising technologies for treatment of stormwater for reuse.     

Four years of development and field-testing of IHE arsenic removal family filter in rural Bangladesh

UNESCO-IHE has been developing an arsenic removal family filter with a capacity of 100 L/day based on arsenic adsorption onto iron oxide coated sand, a by-product of iron removal plants. The longer term and field conditions performance of the third generation of eleven family filters prototypes were tested in rural Bangladesh for 30 months. All filters achieved initially highly effective arsenic removal irrespective of arsenic concentration and groundwater composition. Arsenic level in filtrate reached 10 mug/l after 50 days of operation at one testing site and after 18 months of continuous operation at other 3 testing sites. Arsenic level at other 7 sites remained below the WHO guideline value till the end of study. Positive correlation was found between arsenic removal capacity of the filter and iron concentration in groundwater. In addition to arsenic, iron present in groundwater at all testing sites was also removed highly effectively. Manganese removal with IHE family filter was effective only when treating groundwater with low ammonia. A simple polishing sand filter, after IHE family filter, resulted in consistent and effective removal of manganese. IHE family filters were easy to operate and were well accepted by the local population.     

生物慢滤系统对再生水中氮磷降解的试验研究

利用生物慢滤系统中菌-藻共生的特点,对用于景观补水的再生水中氮磷进行有效的去除,可有效预防由于再生水中氮磷营养盐浓度较高而引发的景观水体富营养化问题。通过生物慢滤系统净化再生水的试验研究表明,生物慢滤系统在保持上覆水深为80cm、滤层厚度为80cm、滤速为0.1m/h的条件下,对水体中总氮、氨氮、硝酸盐氮、总磷和高锰酸盐指数平均去除率分别为57.55%、50.16%、46.37%、66.32%和47.04%,叶绿素a的去除率可达95.75%;经生物慢滤系统处理后的再生水在景观储存过程中藻类的生长缓慢,叶绿素a含量始终维持在较低水平,氮磷含量较低且趋于稳定。经生物慢滤池处理的再生水用于景观水体的补充水源,可减少富营养化的发生频率。     

Potential of organic filter materials for treating greywater to achieve irrigation quality: a review

The objectives of this literature review were to: (i) evaluate the impact of greywater generated in rural communities, with the emphasis on Jordanian conditions, on soil, plant and public health and assess the need for treatment of this greywater before it is used for irrigation, and (ii) assess the potential of different types of organic by-products as carrier material in different filter units for removal of pollutants from greywater. Greywater with high BOD5, COD, high concentrations of SS, fat, oil and grease and high levels of surfactants is commonly found in rural areas in Jordan. Oxygen depletion, odour emission, hydrophobic soil phenomena, plant toxicity, blockage of piping systems and microbiological health risks are common problems associated with greywater without previous treatment. Organic by-products such as wood chips, bark, peat, wheat straw and corncob may be used as carrier material in so-called mulch filters for treating wastewater and greywater from different sources. A down-flow-mode vertical filter is a common setup used in mulch filters. Wastewaters with a wide range of SS, cBOD5 and COD fed into different mulch filters have been studied. The different mulch materials achieved SS removal ranging between 51 and 91%, a BOD5 reduction range of 55-99.9%, and COD removal of 51-98%. Most types of mulches achieved a higher organic matter removal than that achieved by an ordinary septic tank. Bark, peat and wood chips filters removed organic matter better than sand and trickling filters, under similar conditions. Release of filter material and increase in COD in the effluent was reported using some mulch materials. In conclusion, some mulch materials such as bark, peat and woodchips seem to have a great potential for treatment of greywater in robust, low-tech systems. They can be expected to be resilient in dealing with variable low and high organic loads and shock loads.     

Performance of a double-layer BAF using zeolite and ceramic as media under ammonium shock load condition简

An experiment was carried out to investigate the anti-ammonium shock load capacity of a biological aerated filter （BAF） composed of a double-layer bed. This bed was made up of a top layer of ceramic and a bottom layer of zeolite. The experiment shows that the anti-ammonium shock load process can be divided into two processes： adsorption and release. In the adsorption process, the total removal efficiency of ammonia nitrogen by zeolite and ceramic was 94%. In the release process, the ammonia nitrogen concentration increased significantly and then gradually returned to the normal level four hours after the shock load. The results indicated that the double-layer BAF had a high level of adaptability to the short-term ammonium shock load and long-term operation. The main factors influencing the dynamic process of ammonia nitrogen adsorption were the filter bed height, ammonia nitrogen concentration of influent, and flow rate. The bed depth service time （BDST） model was used to predict the relationship between the filter bed height and breakthrough time at different flow rates, and the results are reliable.     

生物预处理技术在嘉兴地区给水厂的应用比较

对嘉兴地区主要给水厂近年来应用立体弹性填料、LT型悬浮球填料、YS型悬浮填料、卵石填料等的生物预处理工艺从填料及配套设施、工艺运行参数、运行效果、成本等方面进行了比较.认为弹性填料生物预处理更适用于低浊(50 NTU以下)、低氨氮(1.5 mg/L以下)原水,LT型悬浮球填料生物预处理适用于低中浊(100 NTU以下)、低中氨氮(2.5 mg/L以下)原水,YS型悬浮填料生物预处理及"SAF"滤池对低浊、中高氨氮(2.5 mg/L以上)原水有较好的适应性.最后探讨了弹性填料存在的短流、积泥,悬浮填料存在的部分填料流化不均匀,富氧的生物工艺单元内水生动物泛滥等问题.     

UNIFICATION AND APPLICATIONS OF MODERN OCEANIC／ATMOSPHERIC DATA ASSIMILATION ALGORITHMS

The key mathematics and applications of various modem atmospheric/oceanic data assimilation methods including Optimal Interpolation (OI), 4-dimensional variational approach (4D-Var) and filters were systematically reviewed and classified. Based on the data assimilation philosophy, i.e. , using model dynamics to extract the observational information, the common character of the problem, such as the probabilistic nature of the evolution of the atmospheric/oceanic system, noisy and irregularly spaced observations, and the advantages and disadvantages of these data assimilation algorithms, were discussed. In the filtering framework, all modern data assimilation algorithms were unified:OI/3D-Var is a stationary filter, 4D-Var is a linear (Kalman) filter and an ensemble of Kalman filters is able to construct a nonlinear filter.The nonlinear filter such as the Ensemble Kalman Filter (EN-KF), Ensemble Adjustment Kalman Filter (EAKF) and Ensemble Transformation Kalman Filter (ETKF) can, to some extent, account for the non-Gaussian information of the prior distribution from the model. The flow-dependent covariance estimated by an ensemble filter may be introduced to OI and 4D-Var to improve these traditional algorithms. In practice,the performance of algorithms may depend on the specific numerical model and the choice of algorithm may depend on the specific problem. However, the unification of algorithms allows us to establish a unified test system to evaluate these algorithms, which provides more insights into data assimilation philosophies and helps improve data assimilation techniques.     

Clinoptilolite: a possible support material for nitrifying biofilms for effective control of ammonium effluent quality?

Ammonium selective natural zeolite clinoptilolite is suggested as a possible support material for nitrifying biofilms to help improve effluent ammonium quality through its high capacity of ammonium removal in the process of ion exchange. This will especially be helpful in cases where the biofilter receives peak or variable loads routinely or occasionally. At the time of peak loads or shocks of ammonium, ion exchange capacity will provide a buffer for the effluent ammonium quality. Data to support this suggestion is presented.     

Bag filters for TPP

Cleaning of TPP flue gases with bag filters capable of pulsed regeneration is examined. A new filtering element with a three-dimensional filtering material formed from a needle-broached cloth in which the filtration area, as compared with a conventional smooth bag, is increased by more than two times, is proposed. The design of a new FRMI type of modular filter is also proposed. A standard series of FRMI filters with a filtration area ranging from 800 to 16,000 m² is designed for an output more than 1 million m₃/h of with respect to cleaned gas. The new bag filter permits dry collection of sulfur oxides from waste gases at TPP operating on high-sulfur coals. The design of the filter makes it possible to replace filter elements without taking the entire unit out of service. __________ Translated from élektricheskie Stantsii, No. 3, March 2007, pp. 43–46.     

Interaction of oxygen concentration and retention of pollutants in vertical flow constructed wetlands for CSO treatment.

The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) calls for a good quality of all water bodies. Retention soil filters (RSF) have been developed to treat discharges from combined sewers systems. RSF have proved over the past 15 years to be the most effective measure to meet the EU WFD standards, especially for small or particularly sensitive receiving waters, which require an enhanced reduction of emissions from combined sewer overflows (CSOs). The paper presents results from laboratory-scale experiments, in which the oxygen measurement in the filter plays a main role. The results show remarkable differences in oxygen concentrations in different filter depths. The highest oxygen consumption takes place in the upper part of the filter. In the lower part the re-aeration of sewage from the soil air dominates. This indicates that the biological activity is limited to the upper part of the filter. The availability of oxygen in the filter is a sign for degradation of wastewater compounds (ammonium, COD) under certain conditions and already takes place during the filter operation. The removal of ammonium especially cannot be strictly divided into phases of sorption during the loading and oxidation during the dry period any more.