Performance of innovative textile biofilters for domestic wastewater treatment

Abstract

Two types of geotextile, TS 50 and TC/PP 300, were investigated as experimental filters. The raw wastewater, pre-treated in a septic tank, was intermittently dosed and filtered under hydrostatic pressure. At the beginning, the filter reactor comprised nine filters made of geotextiles (of three types: TS 10, TS 50 and TC/PP 300). At the end of the start-up period the TS 10 filters were removed due to their high outflow instability. After four months of working, the hydraulic capacities of the remaining filters were: 3.23 cm3/cm2/d for TS 50 and 4.14 cm3/cm2/d for TC/PP 300. The efficiencies of COD and BOD5 removal were similar for both types of geotextile (COD: 64%, BOD5: 80%). A small but statistically significant difference between ammonium nitrogen removal was observed (40% for TS 50 and 35% for TC/PP 300), most probably due to their different structure. Biological removal of P(tot) was relatively poor and similar for both geotextile types. The mean concentration of matter accumulated on the geotextiles was over one order of magnitude higher than conventional activated sludge concentrations. During the last weeks of the experiments the values of basic pollution indicators in the effluent were lower than the maximum permissible values (according to Polish law).

Filter cake impact on the textile filtersfor wastewater treatment hydraulic capacity

“…The capturing of the solids from liquid (wastewater) occurs mainly in the thin-top layer of filter, commonly in shallow bed filtration (clogging). This was reported for different kinds of suspension and media: sand filters (Spychała and Błażejewski, 2003) and geo-textiles filters (Spychała et al, 2013). This process was theoretically (by modelling) confirmed (article in preparation).…”

“…5). The ammonium nitrogen removal (confirmed directly by measurements and indirectly -by ammonia oxidizing bacteria observation) (Spychała and Starzyk, 2015;Spychała et al, 2013) and absence of anaerobic processes (fermentation) was proof that the low oxygen concentration, thanks to the natural aeration and diffusion from the atmospheric air, can be sufficient for organic compounds and ammonium nitrogen removal through live biomass from wastewater. …”

“…Textile filters for wastewater treatment (TFWT) have been described already in relation to performance (Spychała et al, 2013), biomass structure and microbial characteristics (Spychała and Starzyk, 2015). TFWT is a system involving gravity driven microfiltration.…”

Protozoa and metazoa relations to technological conditions of non-woven textile filters for wastewater treatment

“…[1] The biomass existing in a specific non-woven textile environment mainly in the form of bio-granules similar to other forms of biocommunities (biofilm of trickling filters and flocs of activated sludge technology) is affected by many factors and conditions. Beside the substrate loading, wastewater pH, temperature and shear stress, [2] the biological consortia in the porous structure of non-woven textile are characterized by numerous interactions between organisms.…”

Succession of microorganisms in a plate-type air treatment biofilter during filtration of various volatile compounds

“…[3,4] In recent years, new types of biofilters and new packing materials have been created for air pollution control. [5][6][7] The effectiveness of biofiltration depends on the ability of the microorganisms to biodegrade volatile compounds. [8] Microorganisms on biofilters are able to oxidize various pollutants and use them as their sole carbon and energy source.…”