A Novel High Capacity Biofilm Reactor System for Treatment of Domestic Sewage

A lab-scale novel biofilm reactor system, Ultra-Compact Biofilm Reactor (UCBR), was studied to investigate its performance and operational characteristics for domestic sewage treatment. The reactor was operated at four different hydraulic retention times, namely, 90, 60, 30 and 15 min. The operating ranges of volumetric loading rates in terms of COD, BOD₅, NH⁺ ₄-N and TKN were 5.6-62.1 kg COD/m³ d, 2.6-32.5 BOD₅/m³ d, 0.6-3.2 kg NH⁺ ₄-N/m³ d and 0.82-6.2 kg TKN/m³ d, respectively. The COD, BOD₅ and NH⁺ ₄-N removal efficiencies at 90-min hydraulic retention time (HRT) and 60-min HRT could exceed 80%, 90% and 99%, respectively. The corresponding maximum biomass concentrations were 12.0 g/L and 15.0 g/L at 90-min HRT and 60-min HRT, respectively. At 30-min HRT, the biomass concentration increased to a maximum of 24.0 g/L. However, COD and BOD₅ removal efficiencies decreased to 75% and 80%, respectively, while the NH⁺ ₄-N nitrification efficiency decreased to only 25% to 30%. These observations suggested that high biomass concentration alone was not sufficient to provide a high removal capacity in a UCBR. Further reduction in HRT to 15 min led to an excessive biomass decline from 22.5 g/L to 4.0 g/L. On the whole, the UCBR was able to sustain COD removal and NH⁺ ₄-N conversion of up to 5.96-18.70 kg COD/m³ d and 0.73-1.00 kg NH⁺ ₄-N/m³ d, respectively.     

Aerobic Biological Treatment of Chestnut Processing Wastewater

Chestnut agro-industrial companies consume a high volume of water for washing and processing fruit, generating a large volume of wastewater. This work studied the biodegradation of chestnut processing wastewater through aerobic assays, varying substrate, and biomass concentrations. In general, this wastewater presents a good biodegradability, especially in experiments with relatively low chemical oxygen demand (COD) (0.4 and 0.6?g O₂ L^?1) allowing a COD removal of 85?C90?%. The best results were obtained in the reactor initially loaded with 2?g?L^?1 of biomass and 0.4 or 0.6?g O₂ L^?1 of COD. These experiments also showed high COD removal rates: 4.25 and 3.88?g COD g^?1 volatile suspended solids (VSS) h^?1, respectively. The sedimentation rate, evaluated for different initial values of biomass (1, 2, and 3?g?L^?1), always presented higher values in the experiments with 2 and 3?g?L^?1 of biomass, regardless of the initial COD value used. After comparing different kinetic models (Monod, Contois, and Haldane), it was observed that the Haldane inhibition model satisfactorily describes the COD biodegradation. AQUASIM software allowed calculating the kinetic constant ranges: K _s, 1.59?C6.99?g COD L^?1; ?? _max, 25?C40?g COD g^?1 VSS day^?1; and K _i values, 0.07?C0.11. These kinetic constants corresponds to maximum rates (??*) between 1.48 and 4.25?g COD g^?1 VSS day^?1 for substrate concentrations (S*) from 0.38 to 0.88?g COD L^?1.     

Full-Scale Experiment on Domestic Wastewater Treatment by Combining Artificial Aeration Vertical- and Horizontal-Flow Constructed Wetlands System

To improve domestic wastewater treatment for total nitrogen (TN) removal, a full-scale constructed wetlands combining an artificially aerated vertical- (AVCW) and a horizontal-flow constructed wetland (HCW) was completed in July 2007. The system covered a total area of 7,610?m². From 2 July 2007 to 7 August 2008, the treatment capacity was 2,076?m³?day^?1 with an aeration quantity of 7,400?m³?day^?1. The system effectively reduced the average annual output of BOD₅ (52.0?%), NH₄?CN (58.41?%), and TP (41.61?%), although the percentage reductions of other pollutants, including chemical oxygen demand (34.1?%), suspended solid (38.9?%), and TN (31.05?%) were lower. The purpose of the HCW was for denitrification of the effluent from the AVCW, and annual average of 34.27?% of NO₃?CN was removed compared with the reading at the AVCW outlet. With hydraulic loading increased to 4,152?m³?day^?1 from 9 September to 23 November 2007, the removal rate for NO₃?CN from the HCW decreased substantially from 48.80 to 18.86?%. The total removal rates of NH₄?CN showed significant positive correlation with DO content in the AVCW and with total TN removal rates for the combined system (P?<?0.05). The study indicated that, even with limited artificial aeration, nitrification was very effective for NH₄?CN removal.     

Optimization of Petroleum Refinery Wastewater Treatment by Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands Under Tropical Conditions: Plant Species Selection and Polishing by a Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetland

Typha latifolia-planted vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands (VSSF CWs) can be used to treat petroleum refinery wastewater. This study evaluated if the removal efficiency of VSSF CWs can be improved by changing the plant species or coupling horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF CWs) to the VSSF CW systems. The VSSF CWs had a removal efficiency of 76% for biological oxygen demand (BOD₅), 73% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 70% for ammonium-N (NH₄⁺-N), 68% for nitrate-N (NO₃^?-N), 49% for phosphate (PO₄^3?-P), 68% for total suspended solids (TSS), and 89% for turbidity. The HSSF CWs planted with T. latifolia further reduced the contaminant load of the VSSF CW-treated effluent, giving an additional removal efficiency of 74, 65, 43, 65, 58, 50, and 75% for, respectively, BOD₅, COD, NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^?-N, PO₄^3?-P, TSS, and turbidity. The combined hybrid CW showed, therefore, an improved effluent quality with overall removal efficiencies of, respectively, 94% for BOD₅, 88% for COD, 84% for NH₄⁺-N, 89% for NO₃^?-N, 78% for PO₄^3?-P, 85% for TSS, and 97% for turbidity. T. latifolia strived well in the VSSF and HSSF CWs, which may have contributed to the high NH₄ ⁺-N, NO₃^?-N, and PO₄^3?-P removal efficiencies. T. latifolia-planted VSSF CWs showed a higher contaminant removal efficiency compared to the unplanted VSSF CW. T. latifolia is thus a suitable plant species for treatment of secondary refinery wastewater. Also a T. latifolia-planted hybrid CW is a viable alternative for the treatment of secondary refinery wastewater under the prevailing climatic conditions in Nigeria.     

Characteristics of Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Emissions from Intermittently-Aerated Sequencing Batch Reactors Treating the Separated Liquid Fraction of Anaerobically Digested Pig Manure

In this study, the N₂O emission from an intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor (IASBR-1) treating the separated liquid fraction of anaerobically digested pig manure (SLAP) was investigated. The wastewater had chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations of 11,540?±?860?mg?l^?1, 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) concentrations of 2,900?±?200?mg?l^?1and total nitrogen concentrations of 4,041?±?59?mg?l^?1, with low COD:N ratios (2.9, on average) and BOD₅:N ratios (0.72, on average). Synthetic wastewater, simulating the SLAP with similar COD and nitrogen concentrations but with higher BOD₅ concentrations of up to 11,500?±?100?mg?l^?1, was treated in another identical reactor (IASBR-2) to compare the effects of carbon source on nutrient removals and N₂O emissions. In steady-state, soluble N₂O accumulated in the non-aeration periods, with the highest N₂O concentrations measured at the end of the non-aeration periods. There was a significant reduction in N₂O concentrations during the aeration periods with reductions occurring immediately on commencement of aeration. The mean N₂O emissions in an operational cycle were 253.6 and 205.3?mg for IASBR-1 and IASBR-2, respectively. During the non-aeration periods, only 8.3% and 8.4% of total N₂O emissions occurred in IASBR-1 and IASBR-2, respectively; while during the aeration periods, 91.7% and 91.6% of N₂O emissions took place in IASBR-1 and IASBR-2, respectively. The mean specific N₂O generation rates were 0.010 and 0.005?mg (g VSS·min)^?1 in the aeration periods, 0.024 and 0.021?mg (g VSS·min)^?1 in the non-aeration periods for IASBR-1 and IABSR-2, respectively. Mean nitrogen removal via N₂O emissions was 15.6% and 10.1% for IASBR-1 and IASBR-2, respectively. The IASBR-1 with low influent BOD₅ concentrations emitted and generated more N₂O.     

Bionutrient Removal with a Sequencing Batch Reactor

Removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from a domestic wastewater using a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was evaluated at solid retention times (SRTs) of 9.3, 13.8, and 18.3 days respectively. Oxygen uptake rates (OURs) and sludge settling characteristics were determined at each SRT investigated. COD removal, nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus removal were accomplished by using the following operating cycle: 15-min unmixed fill; 2-hr mixed anaerobic period; 3-hr mixed aerobic period; 3-hr mixed anoxic period; 0.5-hr reaeration period; 1-hr settling period; 1-hr decant period; and a 1.5-hr idle period. Advanced wastewater treatment (AWT) standards of 5/5/3/1 mg L^-1 for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), suspended solids (SS), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) could not be achieved with the bench-scale SBR.     

Nutrient Removal in Pilot-Scale Constructed Wetlands Treating Eutrophic River Water: Assessment of Plants, Intermittent Artificial Aeration and Polyhedron Hollow Polypropylene Balls

Seven experimental pilot-scale subsurface vertical-flow constructed wetlands were designed to assess the effect of plants [Typha latifolia L. (cattail)], intermittent artificial aeration and the use of polyhedron hollow polypropylene balls (PHPB) as part of the wetland substrate on nutrient removal from eutrophic Jinhe River water in Tianjin, China. During the entire running period, observations indicated that plants played a negligible role in chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal but significantly enhanced ammonia–nitrogen (NH₄–N), nitrate–nitrogen (NO₃–N) total nitrogen (TN), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) removal. The introduction of intermittent artificial aeration and the presence of PHPB could both improve COD, NH₄–N, TN, SRP and TP removal. Furthermore, aerated wetlands containing PHPB performed best; the following improvements were noted: 10.38 g COD/m² day, 1.34 g NH₄–N/m² day, 1.04 g TN/m² day, 0.07 g SRP/m² day and 0.07 g TP/m² day removal, if compared to non-aerated wetlands without PHPB being presented.     

Efficiency of Bark, Activated Charcoal, Foam and Sand Filters in Reducing Pollutants from Greywater

Greywater is a potential resource of water that can be improved to meet the quality needed for irrigation. This study evaluated the performance of bark, activated charcoal, polyurethane foam and sand filters in removing biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), surfactants, phosphorus, nitrogen and microbial indicators from greywater during start-up and steady state. In column experiments, 0.6?m high filters (diameter 20?cm) were fed for 113?days with artificial greywater at a hydraulic loading rate of 0.032?m³?m^?2?day^?1 and an organic loading rate of 0.014?kg BOD₅ m^?2?day^?1. Bark and activated charcoal efficiently reduced the concentrations of organics (BOD₅), surfactants (methylene blue active substances??MBAS), total phosphorus (Tot-P) and total thermotolerant coliform numbers, while sand and foam were less efficient. Bark, activated charcoal, foam and sand reduced influent BOD₅ by 98, 97, 37 and 75?%; MBAS by >99, >99, 73 and 96?%; Tot-P by 97, 91, 36 and 78?%; and total nitrogen by 19, 98, 13 and 5?%, respectively. BOD₅ and MBAS were efficiently reduced directly from start-up by bark and activated charcoal, while foam needed 30?days to achieve about 50?% reduction in BOD₅. Bark was the most efficient filter in reducing thermotolerant faecal coliforms (2.4 log₁₀), while foam achieved the lowest reduction (0.5 log₁₀). Overall, bark and activated charcoal filters appeared to be the most suitable filters for improving greywater quality to reach irrigation quality in terms of organic matter reduction. Performance of these filters under higher and fluctuating loadings and the long-term sustainability of the filter materials need further investigation.     

A comparative study of permeable layer materials and aeration regime on efficiency of multi-soil-layering system for domestic wastewater treatment in Thailand

Abstract

Multi-soil-layering (MSL) system was designed for purifying domestic wastewater and for treating polluted river water. MSL system is typically comprised of layers of soil mixture blocks alternating with permeable layers. The permeable layer has roles of preventing clogging and to increasing the efficiency of infiltration of wastewater through the soil mixture blocks. In this study, the comparative efficiency of five MSL systems as a function of five permeable layer materials (zeolite, zeolitized perlite, perlite, gravel, and charcoal) was investigated. The MSL systems were constructed in 15 × 50 × 100 cm boxes where the soil mixture blocks contained sandy clay soil, kenaf + corncob, and iron scraps at a ratio of 6 : 1 : 1 by weight, respectively, and filled up in alternation with the permeable layer. The results indicated that all the MSL systems at loading rates of 96–346 L m^?2 d^?1 under nonaerated conditions were able to reduce the levels of COD (342–1,231 mg L^?1), BOD₅ (201–802 mg L^?1), and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) (3.5–10.1 mg P L^?1) at percentages of 79.0–98.1, 80.0–99.6, and 97.1–100%, respectively. The zeolite and the charcoal-based MSL systems under a 96–346 L m^?2 d^?1 loading rate effectively reduced the level of TN (41.4–65.5 mg N L^?1) at percentages of 79.0–92.1 and 30.7–88.9%, respectively. In terms of prevention of clogging, the charcoal-based MSL system was the most effective, followed by the gravel and zeolite-based MSL. The apparent efficiency of pollutant removal, for zeolitized perlite, perlite, and gravel-based MSL systems was low. With an on-off aeration operation, the efficiency of the MSL systems in the reduction of the levels of COD, BOD₅ , and SRP (hereafter reference to as “removal”) was significantly enhanced. Overall, the zeolite-based MSL system seemed to be more effective than the other MSL systems. However, if optimum aeration could be obtained, the removal efficiency of charcoal-based MSL system might be improved. Aeration at a rate of 64,000 L m^?3 d^?1 for 1 week alternating with 2 weeks of nonaeration enhanced the removal of COD, BOD₅ , and SRP but not that of TN.     

Ammonia Nitrogen Removal in Step-Feed Rotating Biological Contactors

The effect of step-feed on biological ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) removal in a rotating biological contactor (RBC) system consisting of two three-stage units (one control and one step-feed) treating synthetic wastewater was examined. The performance of the step-feedRBC was evaluated in comparison to a regularly fed RBC in terms of NH₃-N removals and stage-dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions over a range of hydraulic and organic loading rates (HLR = 0.032 to 0.125 m³ m^-2. d^-1 and OLR = 11.03 to 111.6 g COD m^-2. d^-1). The results indicate that the step-feed unit showed better removal efficiency (%) at high HLR and ORL than the regularly fed control unit. Increasing the HLR and the OLR resulted in a decrease in DO in all the stages of the two units. However, DO values in the step-feed system were higher than those recorded for the control system. In addition, O₂ limiting conditions (DO ≤ 2 mg l^-1) and heavy growth of Beggiatoa were detected in stage 1 of the control unit at high loading rates.     

Utilization of created wetlands to upgrade small municipal wastewater treatment systems

Created wetlands offer a low cost, low maintenance, and practical alternative for upgrading secondary municipal wastewater treatment systems. The removal efficiencies, effects of seasonal temperature variations, and effects of increased loading rates on contaminant removal within such a system was studied by Auburn University researchers at a created wetland site in Hurtsboro, Alabama. The 0.16 ha system consisted of a two cell wetlands planted with cattails (Typha latifolia), bulrush (Scirpus validus), arrow duck potatoes (Sagitaria latifolis), burr reeds (Spargaminum eurycarpun), water pennywort (Hydrocotyl ranunculoides), and parrotfeather (Myriophyllum brasiliense). Testing occurred from January through September of 1988 at hydraulic loading rates of 169, 289, and 345 m³ ha^?1 d^?1. The monthly average total suspended solids influent: effluent mg L^?1 concentration ratio during the study period was 135:19 while the monthly average total BOD₅ influent: effluent mg L^?1 concentration ratio was 38:8. Once the system stabilized, the monthly average total BOD₅ effluent concentration remained essentially constant over the range of average BOD₅ loading rates employed in this study. Total Kjeldahl N removal was more effective at loading rates of 2.6 kg ha^?1 d^?1. The monthly average influent: effluent TKN mg L^?1 concentration ratio was 15:4.     

Treatment of Hydroponics Wastewater Using Constructed Wetlands in Winter Conditions

Hydroponics culture generates large amounts of wastewater that are highly concentrated in nitrate and phosphorus but contains almost no organic carbon. Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been proposed to treat this type of effluent, but little is known about the performance of these systems in treating hydroponic wastewater. In addition, obtaining satisfactory winter performances from CWs operated in cold climates remains a challenge, as biological pathways are often slowed down or inhibited. The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of plant species (Typha sp., Phragmites australis, and Phalaris arundinacea) and the addition of organic carbon on nutrient removal in winter. The experimental setup consisted of 16 subsurface flow CW mesocosms (1 m², HRT of 3 days) fed with 30 L?d¹ of synthetic hydroponics wastewater, with half of the mesocosms fed with an additional source of organic carbon (sucrose). Carbon addition had a significant impact on nitrate and phosphate removal, with removal means of 4.9 g m^-2?d^-1 of NO₃-N and 0.5 g m^-2 d^-1 of PO₄-P. Planted mesocosms were generally more efficient than unplanted controls. Furthermore, we found significant differences among plant treatments for NO₃-N (highest removal with P. arundinacea) and COD (highest removal with P. australis/Typha sp.). Overall, planted wetlands with added organic carbon represent the best combination to treat hydroponics wastewater during the winter.     

Root zone microbial populations, urease activities, and purification efficiency for a constructed wetland

In order to investigate the effects of microorganisms and their urease activities in macrophytic root zones on pollutant removal, four small-scale plots (SSPs) of vertical/reverse-vertical flow wetlands were set up to determine: a) the relationship between the abundance of microorganisms in the root zones and water purification efficiency; and b) the relationship between urease activities in the root zones and pollutant removal in a constructed wetland system. Total numbers of the microbial population (bacteria, fungi, and actinomyces) along with urease activities in the macrophytic root zones were determined. In addition, the relationships between microbial populations and urease activities as well as the wastewater purification efficiencies of total phosphorus (TP), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), biochemical oxygen demand in 5 days (BOD₅), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were also analyzed. The results showed that there was a highly significant positive correlation (r = 0.9772, P < 0.01) between the number of bacteria in the root zones and BOD₅ removal efficiency and a significant negative correlation (r = -0.9092, P < 0.05) between the number of fungi and the removal efficiency of TKN. Meanwhile, there was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.8830, P < 0.05) between urease activities in the root zones and the removal efficiency of TKN. Thus, during wastewater treatment in a constructed wetland system, microorganism and urease activities in the root zones were very important factors.     

Application of stabilization pond for purification of textile wastewater in Esfahan,Iran

Two experimental ponds, with an effective volume of 2 m3 each, were constructed in a workshop at the textile plants to investigate the potential for a stabilization pond for purification of textile wastewater. Parametric analysis of pH, temperature, turbidity suspended solids, total suspended solids, DO, BOD, COD, N, and algae was carried out on the influent and the effluent according to the procedures recommended by the standard methods (APHA, 1971). Considering the results obtained from tests after daily observations, the application of an oxidation pond for treatment of textile wastewaters in the winter time was not promising. The ponds had a little activity in aerobic condition. In other seasons the ponds were efficient and the removal of BOD, COD, and N was 81, 78, 72% respectively, with a loading rate of 7.950 g BOD m^?2 day^?1 and detention time of 20 days. The ponds were usually saturated and sometimes super-saturated with dissolved O₂. The experimental ponds were put to work in series for BOD, COD, and N removal observation. The removal did not improve compared with a single pond and algae concentration was noticeably reduced in the effluent.     

Operational Optimisation of Pilot Scale Biological Nutrient Removal at the Ciudad Real (Spain) Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant

The aim of this work is optimising operating conditions for a possibleimplementation of a Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) process in the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) of Ciudad Real (Spain). Several factors (hydraulic retention times, anaerobic nitrate concentration, sludge age and wastewater biodegradability) were tested using a pilot scale VIP (Virginia Initiative Plant) activated sludge process and domestic wastewater from the full scale plant. Hydraulic retention times used did not cause changes in N and P removal. P removal was adversely affected by anaerobic NO₃ ^- and improved with higher BOD₅/COD ratios in wastewater. Influence of sludge age was very low in P removal, but N removal was mainly affected by this factor. Final operating conditions were selected taking into account their effects over one of both nutrients. COD and SS removal were always successful. N removal was also easily reached and the main difficulty was P removal. P sludge content was very low (2.5–4%) approximately and was also affected by the same factors tested. The main factor to improve P removal was supposed to be the organic wastewater composition. Wastewater characteristics were modified by using different sources from the WWTP. Volatile fatty acids (VFA) addition to the wastewater by using supernatant of the anaerobic sludge digesters seemed to be the best practical solution for a future BNR implementation in the WWTP.     

Production of Energy and Biofertilizer from Cattle Wastewater in Farms with Intensive Cattle Breeding

This study evaluates the treatment efficacy and biogas yield of an integrated system composed of a plug-flow biodigester (with sludge recirculation) followed by polishing in a stabilization pond. The system was operated in real scale for 12 months at ambient temperature and under continuous flow. The volumetric yields of biogas varied according to the organic loads applied, between 114 and 294 Kg COD day^?1, reaching levels of 0.026 to 0.173 m³ m^?3 day^?1, with concentrations of CH₄ between 56 and 70%. The monthly biogas productions were between 378.5 and 2186.1 m³ month^?1 equal to an energy potential of approximately 2070 to 19,168 KWh month^?1.The average yearly removals of BOD_5,20 and COD by the integrated treatment system were 70 and 86%, respectively. The average annual removals of NH₄ and TKN were 88.5 and 85.5%, respectively. The pH values were always near neutral, and the alkalinity was in ranges propitious for anaerobic digestion. The results of this study indicate good efficacy in terms of removal of organic matter and nitrogen compounds, with the added benefits of generation of energy and use of the treated effluent as biofertilizer, enabling significant cost reductions to cattle farmers.     

Microfauna Community as an Indicator of Effluent Quality and Operational Parameters in an Activated Sludge System for Treating Piggery Wastewater

In order to study the potential use of microfauna as an indicator of effluent quality and operational parameters in an activated sludge system for treating piggery wastewater, an experimental sequencing batch reactor was set up and evaluated by biological and physical–chemical analyses for 12 months. Results show that microfauna (and specifically ciliate protozoa) are a good parameter for assessing effluent quality in terms of both chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia and for assessing the organic and nitrogen load of the system. Specifically, the abundance of ciliates decreases from 20,000 individuals·mL^?1 to ca. 2,500 individuals·mL^?1 and from ca. 10,000 individuals mL^?1 to ca. 200 individuals mL^?1 when effluent concentration is between 550 and 750 mg L^?1 and above 100 mg L^?1 to the COD and ammonia concentrations, respectively. Furthermore, microfauna abundance is reduced from ca. 18,000 individuals mL^?1 (organic load between 0.1 and 0.2 mg COD mg total suspended solids (TSS)^?1 day^?1) to ca. 500 individuals mL^?1 (organic load between 0.3 and 04 mg COD mg TSS^?1 day^?1). Microfauna abundance also decreases as nitrogen loading increases. Nitrogen loading in the range of 5–60 mg NH₄–N g TSS^?1 day^?1 does not have any significant effect on microfauna abundance. However, ammonia loading from 60 to 120 mg NH₄–N g TSS^?1 day^?1 reduces microfauna abundance ca. 6-fold. Ciliate protozoa were the largest microfauna group during the whole period of study, representing ca. 75% of the total microfauna abundance. The largest group in the ciliate community was that of the free-swimming ciliates. This was followed by the group of attached and crawling ciliates. Specifically, the dominant ciliate species during the whole study period were Uronema nigricans, Vorticella microstoma-complex, Epistylis coronata, and Acineria uncinata.     

Biofilm Airlift Suspension Reactor Treatment of Domestic Wastewater

Domestic wastewater with an influent COD of 160 to 327 mg L^-1 was evaluated for treatment by the Biofilm Airlift Suspension-reactor (BAS-reactor). Ceramic materials withdiameters of 0.25–0.5 mm (for reactor (1)) and 0.5–0.71 mm(for reactor (2)) were used as carriers, respectively. Theresults show that reactor (1) with smaller carriers outperformedreactor (2) with larger carriers. At steady state, the BAS-reactors showed high COD removal efficiencies. When the HRT was kept at 0.5 hr, the mean effluent CODs were 33±4 and 58±5 mg L^-1 for reactors (1) and (2), respectively, at a confidence interval of 95% (p = 95%). When HRT was extended to 1.0 hr, these values decreased to 24±2 and 30±3 mg L^-1 for reactors (1) and (2), respectively (p = 95%). Biomass concentration increased whilebiofilm thickness decreased with an increase in carrierconcentration. Biomass concentrations as high as 6.16±0.12 and 5.50±0.10 g VSS L^-1 (p = 0.95) were achieved at carrier concentrations of 100 g L^-1 forreactors (1) and (2), respectively. Biofilm thickness had a significanteffect on reactor performance: with an increase in biofilm thickness, biomass concentration increased and the critical gas velocity to maintain carrier fluidization decreased. An oxygenation model for a BAS-reactor was proposed and the effectsof gas velocity and carrier concentration on the oxygen transfercoefficient were examined. It was found that oxygen transfer coefficient increased with gas velocity while the relationship between carrier concentration and oxygen transfer coefficient wascomplicated. During a period of more than three months of steadystate operation, carrier washout with the effluent was negligible.Comparison of the parameters of the conventional activated sludgeprocess to that of the BAS-reactor shows that the BAS-reactor isa promising wastewater treatment process with high efficiency andlow operation cost.     

The Efficacy of a Tropical Constructed Wetland for Treating Wastewater During the Dry Season: The Kenyan Experience

Constructed wetlands have recently received considerable attention as low cost and efficient means of cleaning up many different types of wastewaters at secondary and tertiary levels. This is an environmentally sound method of wastewater treatment that does not use hazardous chemicals, and is based on the high productivity and nutrient removal capability of the wetland that strongly relies on its intricate ecosystem structure and function. Research work was conducted on a tropical constructed wetland to establish its capability to treat wastewater during the dry season. A comparison of its efficacy with that of conventional wastewater treatment plants was made on the basis of the measured water quality parameters. Temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity were measured in situ. Total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphorus, ammonia, and nitrites were analyzed in the laboratory. Fecal coliforms were enumerated and Escherichia coli counts were determined. The TSS values reduced from a mean of 102 mg/l at the influent point to 16 mg/l at the effluent point, depicting a reduction of 84.3%. Influent TDS averaged 847 mg/l, while the effluent averaged 783 mg/l. Dry season BOD₅ levels were reduced from an average of 286 at the inlet point to 11 mg/l at the outlet representing a reduction efficiency of 96.2%. COD levels were reduced from a mean of 2,002.5 to 47.5 mg/l depicting a removal efficiency of 97.6%. Phosphorus was reduced from a mean of 14 to 11 mg/l representing a percentage removal of 21.4%. Levels of ammonia reduced from a mean of 61 at the influent point to 36 mg/l at the effluent point representing a percent reduction of 41.0%. There was a 99.99% reduction for both the fecal coliforms and E. coli counts. Conductivity of wastewater increased from 1.08 to 1.98 mS, while the pH increased from 6.23 at the inlet point to 7.99 at the outlet of the system. Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements showed a diurnal variation. The dry season wastewater heavy metal concentrations were in the following ranges: Pb (0.7?C6.9 ppm), Cr (0.2?C0.5 ppm), Zn (0.1?C2.3 ppm), Ni (0.1?C1.3 ppm) with Cd and Cu not being detected in the wastewater streams. Overall, tropical constructed wetlands are effective in treating wastewater streams and they perform a lot better than the popularly used waste stabilization ponds. This paper recommends that they can be widely used within the tropics.     

The Effects of Hydraulic and Organic Loadings on the Performance of a Full-Scale Facultative Pond in a Temperate Climate Region (Argentine Patagonia)

This work focuses on the performance of a primary facultative pond, in a full-scale waste stabilization pond system, located in a temperate climate region (average air temperature in winter, 7.7°C; spring and autumn, 14.0°C; and summer, 19.9°C) in Puerto Madryn city??Argentine Patagonia (42°45??S; 65°05??W). Experimental work was conducted for 43?months in seven sampling points. During the experimental time frame, the influent flow rate increased from 12,000 to 15,500?m³/day; the surface organic loading ranged from 55 to 68?kg BOD₅/ha·day and the theoretical retention time decreased from 31 to 24?days. The results indicate that a primary facultative pond performing in this region, to keep predominant facultative conditions and acceptable filtered biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) removal, should be loaded with an organic loading rate of up to 60?kg BOD₅/ha·day. The flow and organic loading increase affected the ammonium removal process, extending the period time in which ammonium removal was less than 50% and nitrate was not detectable; at first, this period occurred during winter strictly and then covered part of autumn and part of spring, too. Ammonium removal was clearly temperature dependent and directly related to chlorophyll a and nitrate concentrations (i.e. higher ammonia removals were reported under summer conditions when chlorophyll a and nitrate concentrations were higher), but was not linked with high pH values. The ammonium volatilization as a predominant removal process could be discarded, while ammonium nitrification?Cdenitrification and algal nitrogen uptake seems to be the dominant mechanisms.