A case study of the performance of pilot scale light weight aggregates (LWA) based hybrid soil filters in Estonia

Two pilot scale experimental hybrid soil filters (SF) filled with light weight aggregates were established during the summer of 2005 for the treatment of different types of wastewater, with the aim of developing compact hybrid constructed wetlands (CW) for use in cold climates. Both SFs are designed on the same principle: a vertical subsurface flow filter followed by a horizontal subsurface flow filter. Six different operational regimes were tested during the experiments. With a decrease in wastewater and pollutant load and the larger re-circulation of wastewater, purification efficiency increased in terms of most water quality indicators. The highest purification efficiencies in the Nõo SF, 99% and 82% for BOD₇ and N_tot removal respectively, were achieved when the re-circulation rate of 300% was applied and in the Rämsi SF, 99% and 87% for BOD₇ and N_tot removal respectively, were achieved, when the re-circulation rate of 300 to 600% was applied. In order to achieve effective organic matter removal, nitrification/denitrification and TSS removal, the re-circulation rate must be from 100 to 300% of the inflowing wastewater. The re-circulation of wastewater in overloaded systems is a good solution for the improvement of the aeration and overall purification efficiency of CWs.     

人工湿地净化富营养化河水试验研究(二)——基质层及流态对氮素污染物净化效果的影响

通过中试试验研究了基质层及流态对人工湿地净化富营养化河水中氮素污染物的影响情况,结果表明：砾石基质层厚度从80cm增加到120cm对湿地池净化氮素污染物的效果没有明显影响;将上层砾石替换为沸石后,湿地池对NH3-N的净化效果明显提高,说明不同的基质材料对NH4＋具有良好的选择性吸附作用,而将上层砾石替换为炉渣后湿地池对氮素污染物的净化效果几乎没有变化;在4种湿地流态中,复合流态（垂直流＋潜流）湿地池对TN、NH3-N、NO3-N的去除率均为最高,且与潜流-垂直流相前后次序没有显著相关性;潜流、垂直流湿地池对氮素污染物的去除率介于复合流、表面流之间;表面流最低.     

水力负荷对潜流湿地去除污水处理厂二级出水中氮磷的影响

采用水平-石灰石、水平-沸石、垂直-沸石、垂直-改性沸石等4种潜流湿地对污水处理厂二级出水进行深度处理研究,探讨各系统稳定运行条件下,不同水力负荷对4种潜流湿地脱氮除磷效果的影响,以及4种湿地的去除污染物效果的差异性。结果表明,当进水水质为污水处理厂二级排放标准时,在一定的运行条件下,与垂直潜流湿地相比,水平潜流湿地对氮素的去除效果受水力负荷影响更大。其中,水平-沸石潜流湿地对NH3-N的去除率最高达到(96.5±2.58)%,而水平-石灰石潜流湿地最低仅为(78.7±3.64)%;水平-沸石潜流湿地对TN的去除率最高达到(94.5±2.58)%,最低仅为(66.1±2.02)%。另外,与水平流湿地相比,垂直流湿地对污水中磷素的去除效果较好,同时,垂直-沸石湿地表现出了对磷素最佳的去除效果,其对PO43--P的去除率最高达到(72.1±2.29)%,而对TP的去除率最高最高达到(73.8±3.25)%。此外,当水力负荷为0.093 m3/(m2.d)时,上述4种湿地对磷素均表现出了最佳的去除效果。     

Agricultural wastewater reuse in southern Italy

Within a strategic R&D project, since April 2002, membrane filtration, simplified treatments, storage reservoirs and constructed wetlands technologies are under investigation, at field scale, to evaluate their effectiveness for treating municipal effluents to be reused in agriculture. So far, the main results recorded have been the following: membrane filtration — the microbial quality of treated effluents was higher than that of local well-water used for irrigation; simplified treatment — in order to save the agronomic potential of organic matter and nutrients present in urban wastewater, olive trees were irrigated with effluents produced by skipping biological processes and this resulted in a yield increase of 50%; storage reservoirs — TSS, BOD₅, COD and nutrients concentrations achieved the in force Italian limits for WW agricultural reuse; constructed wetlands — recorded average efficiencies for TSS, BOD₅, COD, TN and TP removals were 85%, 65%, 75%, 42% and 32% respectively.     

不同形式复合人工湿地对污染河水的净化差异研究

为了研究不同形式复合人工湿地对污染河水的净化特性,实验构建了2种相同基质及植物的表流-水平潜流和表流-垂直潜流复合人工湿地,并以相同的进水负荷连续运行了1 a。结果表明,2组复合人工湿地均能有效地净化污染河水,表流-水平潜流人工湿地对污染河水BOD_5、SS、TN和NH_3-N的去除效果优于表流-垂直潜流人工湿地(p0.05),且前者中的植物具有更好的生长特性和氮磷去除能力。表流人工湿地的存在不仅能够避免二级潜流湿地的堵塞,也能有效提高系统总氮去除能力。     

Energy Minimization in Cryogenic Packed Beds during Purification of Natural Gas with High CO2 Content

Minimization of energy consumption was explored for countercurrent switched cryogenic packed beds in which separation of CO₂ and other components of natural gas can be achieved based on differences in freezing or desublimation points. Highly pure CO₂ and methane were obtained after separation. An experimental setup for CO₂ removal from natural gas was constructed and a detailed experimental study was conducted by changing different operating parameters. Compared to other cocurrent or jacket‐cooled constant‐temperature configurations, countercurrent switched beds provided optimal separation and energy efficiencies. The effects of important process parameters like initial temperature profiles of the cryogenic bed, feed composition, and feed flow rate on energy requirement, bed saturation, bed pressure, and cycling times were investigated. The energy requirement for cryogenic packed beds was compared with the conventional cryogenic distillation process.     

Effect of supplying a carbon extracting solution on denitrification in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands

Denitrification strongly depends on the availability of carbon source in constructed wetlands (CWs). In this study, several relevant carbon source extracting solutions made from hydrolyzate of selected wetland litters were added to CWs for nitrogen removal enhancement. The feasibility of supplying a carbon extracting solution to improve potential denitrification rate in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland was deeply investigated. Combinations of different hydraulic retention time (HRT, especially for 2-day and 4-day) with different influent COD/N ratios were designed to prove the enhancement on denitrification by carbon source supplement. In addition, specific denitrification rate (SDNR) was calculated for the comparison of the nitrogen removal at different COD/N ratios. The sequential operation results on total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate (NO ₃ ^? -N) removal efficiencies were obtained in CW system with an influent COD/N ratio of 4.0. The accumulation of nitrite (NO ₂ ^? -N) was found to be closely related to the removal of NO ₃ ^? -N. Meanwhile, no obvious accumulation of NO ₂ ^? -N was found when the removal of NO ₃ ^? -N was relatively high.     

Benzene removal with vertical‐flow constructed treatment wetlands

BACKGROUND: Twelve vertical‐flow experimental wetlands have been constructed using different compositions, and were operated in batch‐flow mode to reduce pumping costs. Six wetlands were located indoors and six outdoors. Benzene was used as a representative example substance to assess the removal of low molecular weight petroleum compounds. RESULTS: Findings indicate that the constructed wetlands remove benzene (inflow of approximately 1.3 g L^?1) from hydrocarbon‐contaminated wastewater streams with better indoor (controlled environment) than outdoor treatment performances. Overall mean removal efficiencies for the experimental rig placed outside were as follows: benzene 85%, chemical oxygen demand (COD), 70%; ammonia‐nitrogen, 83%; nitrate‐nitrogen, 88%; ortho‐phosphate‐phosphorus, 58%. In comparison, removal efficiencies for the experimental rig placed indoors were higher: benzene 95%, COD, 80%; ammonia‐nitrogen, 90%; nitrate‐nitrogen, 94%; ortho‐phosphate‐phosphorus, 66%. Benzene removal was predominantly due to volatilization after 1 day of retention time. CONCLUSION: The use of aggregates (sand and gravel) and the presence of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. resulted in no significant difference in terms of benzene, redox potential, dissolved oxygen, 5‐day at 20 °C N‐allylthiourea biochemical oxygen demand, COD and nutrients removal. Statistical differences were assessed by analysis of variance and Tukey HSD tests (P < 0.05). Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

水平潜流人工湿地沿程脱氮效率

为探讨不同水生植物砾石水平潜流人工湿地的沿程脱氮效率,选择了花叶芦竹、旱伞草、再力花、香蒲、芦苇5种挺水植物,均匀种植于长13 m、宽4.5 m的砾石水平潜流湿地,测定了不同植物湿地系统对低污染水的沿程脱氮效率。结果表明,处理两种浓度(总氮10 mg/L和20 mg/L)低污染水时,总氮和氨氮的去除率表现为芦苇>再力花、旱伞草>香蒲>花叶芦竹>未种植,硝态氮和亚硝态氮的去除率表现为花叶芦竹、香蒲、芦苇>再力花>旱伞草、未种植。处理总氮10 mg/L的低污染水时,未种植、花叶芦竹、芦苇、再力花和香蒲湿地对总氮、氨氮、硝态氮和亚硝态氮沿程去除率总体呈下降趋势,尤其是芦苇湿地在1/3段即达到了77.95%的去除效率;砾石填料潜流湿地中芦苇、香蒲的种植长度5 m左右为宜,花叶芦竹、旱伞草、再力花的种植长度9 m左右为宜。处理总氮20 mg/L的低污水时,不同植物湿地系统的总氮、氨氮、硝态氮和亚硝态氮沿程去除率基本呈现前端去除效率高,中部略有降低,后部又有所上升;芦苇、香蒲、旱伞草和再力花至少种植13 m以上,可使湿地出水达到一级A标准,芦苇为最佳选择。因此,应根据不同污染负荷下挺水植物的生长和沿程脱氮效率来设置砾石填料湿地床的规模。     

三段式潜流湿地污水净化效果

对传统水平流湿地加以改造,形成三段式潜流湿地,并采用自然接触富氧和微曝气强化供氧。比较了传统水平流湿地、三段式自然富氧潜流湿地及三段式微曝气潜流湿地的DO分布及对生活污水的处理效果。实验结果表明：三段式自然富氧潜流湿地由于改善了湿地供氧状况,COD、NH4^＋-N和TN最高去除率分别达到92％、70％、56％,优于传统水平流湿地;采用微曝气进一步强化供氧可有效改善系统溶氧分布,延展最佳HRT的控制范围,COD、NH4^＋-N和TN去除率分别达到了96％、83％、65％,而且土壤脲酶活性明显提高,在较低运行水位下仍能保持较高的污染物去除效果。但新型湿地除磷效果提高不明显。三段式微曝气潜流湿地的研究为人工湿地污水处理技术探索了一条新的途径。     

Performance evaluation of hybrid constructed wetlands for the treatment of municipal wastewater in developing countries

In developing countries, high cost of conventional wastewater treatment is a major hindrance in its application. Constructed wetlands (CWs) offer low-cost and effective solution to this issue. The current study aimed to evaluate an innovative maneuver of CWs i.e. hybrid flow constructed wetlands (HCWs) for municipal wastewater (MWW). The HCWs included two lab scale CWs; one horizontal and one vertical, in series. Local plant species were used. HCWs were operated in both, batch and continuous mode. Batch mode was used to (1) optimize detention time and (2) find pollutants removal efficiency. Continuous operation (at batch optimized retention time) was carried out for the evaluation of mass removal rate, r (g·m^-2·d^-1), volumetric rate constant, K_v (per day) and areal rate constant, K_a (m·d^-1). Among two local plants tested, Pistia stratiotes gave better removal efficiency than Typha. Optimum detention time in HCWs was found to be 8 days (4 + 4 each). The optimum COD, BOD, TSS, TKN and P removal observed for Pistia stratiotes planted HCWs was 80%, 84%, 82%, 71% and 88% respectively. Effluent standards for COD, BOD and TSS were met at optimum conditions. The values of K_a and K_v demonstrated that more removal occurred in vertical flow as compared to horizontal flow CW.     

Effect of limited artificial aeration on constructed wetland treatment of domestic wastewater

To study the effect of limited artificial aeration on domestic wastewater treatment in the constructed wetlands (CWs), four pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow CWs were operated from October 2006 to September 2007. The types of the four units include aerated and planted CW (APCW), planted CW (PCW), aerated CW (ACW) and CW, and all the units have the identical dimensions of 3 m in length, 0.7 m in width and 1 m in depth. The automated aeration was activated when the oxygen concentrations in the units were lower than 0.2 mg/L and ceased when the oxygen concentrations in the CWs were higher than 0.6 mg/L. More stable alkaline pH values were found in aeration units than that in the non-aeration units. APCW, in which the removal efficiencies of BOD, NH₄⁺-N and TN were 94.4% (16.7 g BOD d^− 1 m^− 2), 89.1% (4.54 g NH₄⁺-N d^− 1 m^− 2), and 86.0%( 4.99 g TN d^− 1 m^− 2) respectively, was more effective at pollutant removal than the other three units. There were no significant differences in TP removal between the aeration units and non-aeration units. Less surface area is needed due to high removal efficiency in APCW and the additional cost of operation is quite little. The results from this experiment indicated that limited artificial aeration in constructed wetlands is a cost-effective method for treating domestic wastewater.     

Ozonation of complex industrial park wastewater: effects on the change of wastewater characteristics

BACKGROUND: Ozonation of complex industrial park wastewater was carried out in a semi‐batch reactor. The variation of wastewater characteristics was evaluated based on the analysis of 5‐day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) concentration, BOD₅/chemical oxygen demand (COD) ratio, COD fractionation, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) molecular size distribution before and after ozonation. RESULTS: The experimental results indicated that low efficiency of COD removal with increasing tendency of BOD₅ concentration generally appeared after ozonation. Also, the BOD₅/COD ratio increased from an initial of 0.27 to a maximum of 0.38. The COD fractionation tests revealed that most of the inert soluble COD was transformed to biodegradable soluble COD at 30 min of reaction time. Additionally, the DOC molecular size distribution tests showed that the fraction larger than 500 kDa was significantly decreased and the fraction smaller than 2 kDa was increased when the reaction time was prolonged to 240 min. CONCLUSION: This study verified that partial oxidation of the complex industrial park wastewater by ozonation could enhance wastewater biodegradability. The biodegradability enhancement was primarily because the inert soluble COD fraction was converted to the biodegradable soluble COD and the high molecular weight fraction of DOC was shifted toward the low molecular weight fraction. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

垂直潜流人工湿地污水处理特性

垂直潜流人工湿地是一种新型的污水处理技术,在城镇污水资源化中有良好的实用价值和应用前景。通过对特征污染物即有机物、氮和磷的去除研究,阐述了污染物去除的基本特征和作用机理。湿地负荷8.1￣27 g[COD]/(m2.d)范围内,COD去除率为71%￣87%。垂直潜流人工湿地不利于大气复氧,并因而造成NH3-N去除率较低,平均去除率小于10%。TP去除率受温度和季节等因素影响较小,去除率为52%￣77%,但土壤pH值和溶解氧含量却制约着磷的吸附和沉淀作用。并介绍了各运行参数对COD、NH3-N和TP的去除效果的影响规律。     

Semi‐specific biosensors for measuring BOD in dairy wastewater

BACKGROUND: Semi‐specific microbial biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) biosensors were constructed using living cells of Escherichia coli R17.1.3 (E. coli) and Raoultella terrigena P74.3 (R. terrigena) immobilized in agarose gel matrix. The research involved comparison with the Pseudomonas fluorescens P75 (P. fluorescens) biosensor that had no specificity in decomposing lactose and milk derivates. The constructed BOD biosensors were calibrated with OECD synthetic wastewater and tested with different wastewater samples. RESULTS: The linear range of the calibration curve was 5–200 mg L^?1 BOD₇ for R. terrigena and P. fluorescens based biosensors and 150 mg L^?1 BOD₇ for the E. coli based biosensor. Service life was 60 days for E. coli and P. fluorescens based biosensors and 40 days for R. terrigena based biosensors. BOD values for dairy industry wastewater obtained with current semi‐specific biosensors considerably overestimate BOD₇, while universal biosensors underestimate BOD₇ obtained by the conventional 7‐day BOD test. CONCLUSION: In spite of extensive overestimation of BOD₇ the semi‐specific biosensors enabled better estimation of BOD in dairy industry wastewater than a reference P. fluorescens biosensor. The best result, in terms of service life, stability, sensitivity and reproducibility was accomplished with semi‐specific E.coli biosensor. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Development of a correlation to study parameters affecting nitrification in a domestic wastewater treatment plant

BACKGROUND: Nitrification performance of an activated sludge reactor treating weak domestic wastewater was investigated for 11 months. Ammonia nitrogen removals were investigated as a function of wastewater composition and operational conditions. Backward elimination experimental design was used to determine the influence of the most important independent variables on NH₃‐N removal efficiencies. Influent ammonia and biological oxygen demand (BOD₅) concentrations, hydraulic retention time (HRT), mixed liquid suspended solids (MLSS), temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration were considered as independent variables. This study aimed to find the most important parameters to describe nitrification performance. RESULTS: The presence of nitrification was confirmed by ammonia and nitrate variations throughout the reactor; ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) populations were determined using a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method. MLSS concentration, influent BOD₅ concentration and temperature were found to be the most influential factors on nitrification performance. The empirical correlation using multiple linear regressions was statistically significant and produced an adjusted coefficient of multiple determinations (R²_adj) of 92.5%. CONCLUSION: Correlation provides a good understanding of the various parameters that affect the nitrification process, and could be extended to other case studies. Using these results, operators can apply proper operational strategies to maintain nitrification in wastewater treatment plants. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

现场电解制次氯酸钠在污水处理厂出水消毒的应用研究

随着污水厂出水排放标准日益提高,对排水中粪大肠菌群的控制也越来越严格。现场电解制次氯酸钠发生系统是一种较为理想的环境友好型氯消毒技术,能够有效杀灭城镇污水处理厂出水中的粪大肠杆菌。因原水水质不同,次氯酸钠的杀菌效果会有差异。次氯酸钠对原水中的氨氮有一定的去除作用,但是有可能氧化原水中残留的有机氮,从而使得氨氮含量重新升高。现场连续投加试验中,反应池次氯酸钠浓度为1．2mg／L,出水中的粪大肠菌群始终稳定达到GB18918-2002一级A标准的要求,且其他水质指标（如氨氮、COD等）良好。     

Removal of nitrate from constructed wetland in winter in high-latitude areas with modified hydrophyte biochars

In high-latitude areas, nitrate treatment from constructed wetlands is often not so good in winter. The study aims to develop an efficient and economic technology to remove nitrate from constructed wetland under the conditions of winter temperature. We conducted laboratory experiments to investigate the removal of nitrate from aqueous solution and wastewater by modified hydrophyte biochars from constructed wetlands. The second-order model fit the nitrate desorption kinetics of modified hydrophyte biochars with a high coefficient of determination (R²>0.99). Freundlich isotherms performed well to fit the nitrate sorption data (R²>0.98) of modified hydrophyte biochars. Batch adsorption experiments also showed that both initial solution pH and coexisting anions could affect the adsorption of nitrate onto modified hydrophyte biochars. Our results suggested that modified hydrophyte biochars might be a promising alternative wastewater treatment technology for nitrate removal from constructed wetland in winter in high-latitude areas.     

Toxicity and Biodegradability Behavior of Xenobiotic Chemicals Before and After Ozonation: A Case Study with Commercial Textile Tannins

Ozonation of a natural tannin (NT; COD_o?=?1195 mg/L; TOC_o?=?342 mg/L; BOD_5,o?=?86 mg/L) and a synthetic tannin ST; COD_o?=?465 mg/L; TOC_o?=?55 mg/L; BOD_5,o?=?6 mg/L) being frequently applied in the polyamide dyeing process was investigated. Synthetic wastewater samples containing these tannins individually were prepared and subjected to ozonation at varying ozone doses (625– 1250 mgO₃/L wastewater), at pH?=?3.5 (the application pH of tannins) and pH?=?7.0 at an ozone dose of 1125 mgO₃/L wastewater. The collective environmental parameters COD, TOC, BOD₅, UV₂₅₄ and UV₂₈₀ (UV absorbance at 254 nm and 280 nm, representing aromatic and unsaturated moieties, respectively) were followed during ozonation. Changes in the biodegradability of the tannins were evaluated in terms of BOD₅ measurements conducted before and after ozonation. In addition, activated sludge inhibition tests employing heterotrophic biomass were run to elucidate the inhibitory effect of raw and ozonated textile tannins towards activated sludge biomass. Partial oxidation (45% COD removal at an ozone dose of 750 mg O₃/L wastewater and pH?=?3.5) of ST was sufficient to achieve elimination of its inhibitory effect towards heterotrophic biomass and acceptable biodegradability improvement, whereas the inhibitory effect and biodegradability of NT could not be reduced via ozonation under the same reaction conditions.     

Biological Nutrient Removal Using a Novel Laboratory‐Scale Twin Fluidized‐Bed Bioreactor

The capability of biological nutrient removal from wastewater of a novel laboratory‐scale twin fluidized‐bed bioreactor (TFBBR) was studied. The work showed approximately 96 % organic matter, 84 % nitrogen, and 12 % phosphorus removal efficiencies in the first three phases of the study at influent synthetic municipal wastewater (SMW) flow rates of 150, 190, and 240 L/d, with corresponding organic loading rates of 1.3, 1.7, and 2.3 kg COD m^–3 d^–1 and nitrogen loading rates of 0.14, 0.18 and 0.25 kg N m^–3 d^–1. The TFBBR effluent was characterized by <1.0 mg NH₄‐N/L, <4.3 mg NO₃‐N/L, <6 mg TN/L, <6 mg SBOD/L, and 6–10 mg VSS/L. For the three phases, biomass yields of 0.06, 0.066, and 0.071 g VSS/g COD were observed, respectively, which was a significant further reduction in yield compared to the liquid‐solid circulating fluidized‐bed bioreactor technology developed and patented by this research group, of 0.12–0.16 g VSS/g COD. The very low yield was due to a longer solid retention time of 72–108 d.