Filtration as gray water treatment using conventional and unconventional adsorbent beds

Abstract

Water pollution is a global problem that can be a threat to the environment and human health, which is why efficient technologies are required for the treatment and comprehensive management of residues from wastewater treatment. In this sense, the present study used different filtration media such as zeolite, pumicite, tezontle, dolomite, ground corn straw, coconut fiber and biocalcium to analyze the physical-chemical interaction of these materials and the components of graywater from laundry in a simple filtering process. Four filter columns with different bed layers, same graywater and a filtration rate established by each filter were installed and operated at laboratory scale and in parallel. The pollution reduction was from 70.2% - 98% for selected parameters (COD, TSS, TDS, PO4 and NO3) in filter columns. Thus, filters with different arrangement of unconventional filtration media are efficient in purifying greywater.