Nutrient and trace organic contaminant removal from wastewater of a resort town: Comparison between a pilot and a full scale membrane bioreactor

Abstract

Nghiem, L. D. (2015). Nutrient and trace organic contaminant removal from wastewater of a resort town: comparison between a pilot and a full scale membrane bioreactor. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, Nutrient and trace organic contaminant removal from wastewater of a resort town: comparison between a pilot and a full scale membrane bioreactor AbstractThe occurrence of a broad spectrum of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) in raw sewage from a small resort town and their removal by a full-and a pilot-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) was analysed in this study. The MBR systems demonstrated similar reduction of chemical oxygen demand. However, the full-scale MBR sustained higher and more stable nutrient removal (>95% for both total nitrogen, TN and phosphate, View the MathML sourcePO43−-P) than the pilot-scale system (ca. 80% TN and 30% View the MathML sourcePO43−-P removal). Of the 45 monitored TrOCs including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), industrial chemicals, steroid hormones, and pesticides, 41 compounds were detected in the raw sewage above detection limits of 5-20 ng L−1. A correlation between the removal of TN and eight TrOCs (atenolol, caffeine, naproxen, ibuprofen, gemfibrozil, DEET, estrone and diuron) was observed. Additionally, the full-scale MBR demonstrated higher and/or more stable removal for sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, diclofenac, diuron and amitriptyline. With the exception of caffeine, estrone and triclosan, TrOC concentrations in MBR effluent were lower than the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Augmentation of Drinking Water Supplies. Disciplines Engineering | Science and Technology Studies Highlights-41 TrOCs were identified at levels above the detection limit in raw sewage -The full-scale MBR showed better nutrient and TrOC removal than the pilot-scale MBR.-Multiple anoxic/aerobic reactors promoted removal of nutrients and some TrOCs -Removal of eight of the monitored TrOCs closely followed the TN removal profile -MBR effluent complied with the water reuse guideline for all but three TrOCs 3 AbstractThe occurrence of a broad spectrum of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) in raw sewage from a small resort town and their removal by a full-and a pilot-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) was analysed in this study. The MBR systems demonstrated similar reduction of chemical oxygen demand. However, the full-scale MBR sustained higher and more stable nutrient removal (>95% for both total nitrogen, TN and phosphate, PO 4 3--P) than the pilotscale system (ca. 80% TN and 30% PO 4 3--P removal). Of the 45 monitored TrOCs including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), industrial chemicals, steroid hormones, and pesticides, 41 compounds were detected in the raw sewage above detection limits of 5-20 ng L -1 . A correlation between the removal of TN and eight TrOCs (atenolol, caffeine, naproxen, ibuprofen, gemfibrozil, DEET, estrone and diuron) was observed. Additionally, the full-scale MBR demonstrated higher and/or more stable removal for s...

The fate of trace organic contaminants during anaerobic digestion of primary sludge: A pilot scale study

“…In particular, the high concentration of paracetamol in primary sludge is associated with its widespread consumption in Australia. Similarly, the ubiquity of caffeine can be expected as it is commonly found in heavily consumed products such as coffee and tea (Phan et al, 2015).…”

Impact of hazardous events on the removal of nutrients and trace organic contaminants by an anoxic–aerobic membrane bioreactor receiving real wastewater

“…In the current study, trimethoprim removal dropped from around 60% to no removal within 1 h of ammonia shock, although a complete recovery of removal was observed within 72 h. A similar impact was observed after bleach shock, while a slight fluctuation in removal was found for aeration and power failure events. Gemfibrozil removal has been previously correlated to NH 4 + -N removal (Phan et al, 2015). Indeed Trinh (2013), reported significant impact of ammonia shock on gemfibrozil removal.…”

“…Concentrations of TrOCs were determined using an analytical method previously described by Phan et al (2015). This method involves solid phase extraction (SPE) using Oasis HLB cartridges (Waters, Millford, MA, USA) followed by analytical quantification by high performance liquid chromatography (Agilent 1200 series, Palo Alto, CA, USA) coupled with tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (API 4000, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) in positive and negative electro-spray modes as well as atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in positive mode.…”

Removal of Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater by Intermittent Electrocoagulation

“…The generated Al 3+ ions formed via electrodissolution of anodes (Equation (1)) react with OH − ions produced through the electro-reduction of water at the cathode (Equation (3)) which are then hydrolysed to various metal hydroxide complexes depending on the solution pH and turn into amorphous Al(OH)3(s) (Equation (4)) [47]. Phan et al [63] mentioned that very hydrophobic compounds with kow > 3 are generally removed from the aqueous phase via sorption to biosolids. The kow values of the selected pharmaceuticals (DCF = 0.70, AMX = 0.87, CBZ = 2.45) indicate that they In the electrocoagulation process as previously reported, the removal mechanisms are adsorption onto Al(OH) 3 flocs, charge neutralization and electro-flotation [62].…”