Treatment of dairy farm wastewaters in engineered reed bed systems

The objective of an engineered reed bed is to manage the natural growth of the reeds in order to optimise the processing of the wastewater to be purified. Downflow reed beds, with two treatment stages, have been added in front of a previously installed horizontal flow bed on a dairy farm to treat parlour washings and standing yard wastewater. Recent results have shown that the BOD is being reduced from an average of 1006 mg/litre at the inlet to only 57 mg/litre at the exit from the small final lagoon.     

The removal of nitrogen and organics in vertical flow wetland reactors: predictive models

Three kinetic models, for predicting the removal of nitrogen and organics in vertical flow wetlands, have been developed and evaluated. These models were established by combining first-order, Monod and multiple Monod kinetics with continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) flow pattern. Critical evaluations of these models using three statistical parameters, coefficient of determination, relative root mean square error and model efficiency, indicated that when the Monod/multiple Monod kinetics was combined with CSTR flow pattern it allowed close match between theoretical prediction and experiment data of nitrogen and organics removal. The kinetic coefficients (derived from Monod/multiple Monod kinetics) was found to increase with pollutant loading, indicating that the coefficients may vary based on different factors, such as influent pollutant concentration, hydraulic loading, and water depth. Overall, this study demonstrated the validity of combining Monod and multiple Monod kinetics with CSTR flow pattern for the modelling and design of vertical flow wetland systems.     

Experience with establishment and operation of reed bed treatment for small communities in the UK

The design and development of constructed reed beds for secondary, tertiary and storm outflow treatment is described from the experience of a major water utility in the Midland region of the UK. There were only two trial sites in 1987, but 125 sites by June 1995. The problems and their resolution with the establishment ofPhragmites in gravel filled beds are described.Two secondary treatment systems with horizontal subsurface flow beds arranged in terraces show that dilute sewage can be treated to a good secondary standard, but that nitrification is likely to be only partially complete. The example of four tertiary treatment applications showed that, for beds sized at 0.7 to 1.2 m²/pe, effluents consistently averaged better than 5 mg/l BOD₅ and 10 mg/l TSS. Three sites showed improved removal of ammonium nitrogen (N) after the first year, with better than 50% removal. One site, treating highly nitrified secondary effluent, showed a small net increase in ammonium-N even after 4 years. Samples taken by the regulatory authority from 79 sites confirm the ability of the system to meet tight standards for BOD₅. A comparison made of the performance of storm reed beds during three storm events showed relatively consistent removal of BOD, TSS, ammonia nitrogen and TON.     

Polishing low-biodegradable and saline industrial effluent in a full-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland: evaluation of bio-treatability and predictive power of kinetic models

Abstract

This study evaluates the bio-treatability performance and kinetic models of full-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland used for the tertiary treatment of composite industrial effluent characterized by high-salt content ranging from 5830 to 10,400 µS/cm and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅): chemical oxygen demand (COD) ratio below 0.2. The wetland vegetated with Phragmites australis was operated in a semi-arid climate under an average hydraulic loading rate of 63?mm/d. The results of a 4-year operation calculated based on the concentration of pollutants showed that the average removal efficiency of COD, BOD_5, and total suspended solids (TSS) were 17.5, 5.1, and 11.2%, respectively. The system reduced up to 6.5?±?0.7% of electrical conductivity presenting poor phyto-desalination potential without considering the contribution of evapotranspiration in water balance in contrast to satisfying performance for heavy metals reduction. The comparison of the kinetics of organic matter removal obtained by the first-order and Monod models paired with continuous stirred-tank reactor and plug flow regime showed that Monod-plug flow model provided the best fit with the constants of 2.01?g COD/m²·d and 0.3014?g BOD₅/m²·d with the best correlation coefficient of 0.610 and 0.968 between the predicted and measured concentrations, respectively. The low kinetic rates indicate that the process is capable of effluent polishing instead of purification due to the presence of organic compounds recalcitrant to biodegradation and a high level of salinity.     

Enhanced removal of organic matter and ammoniacal-nitrogen in a column experiment of tidal flow constructed wetland system

A tidal flow constructed wetland system was investigated for the removal of organic matter and ammoniacal-nitrogen from diluted piggery wastewater. The results demonstrated that the operation of tidal flow enhanced the transfer of oxygen into wetland matrices. The supply of oxygen by the operation (473 gO2/m2d) matched the demand for wastewater treatment. The overall oxygen consumption rate in the system was considerably higher than the typical rate obtainable in conventional wetlands; most oxygen being used for the decomposition of organic matter. Compared with conventional systems, the tidal flow system demonstrated greater efficiency in the removal of organic matter. Significant nitrification did not take place, although 27-48% ammonia was removed from the wastewater. Immobilization by microbial cells and adsorption were the likely routes to remove ammonia under the specific experiment conditions. Percentage removals of BOD5, NH4-N and SS increased after effluent recirculation at a ratio of 1:1 was employed.     

Changes of flow patterns in a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland treating domestic wastewater in tropical regions

This work focuses on the study of the hydrodynamic behaviour of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF-CWs) for secondary treatment of domestic wastewater in Ginebra, Valle del Cauca, southwest Colombia. This study evaluates the effect of plant development (i.e., vegetation growth) on the hydrodynamic regime of an experimental wetland unit. Dispersion studies using Rhodamine WT were carried out in a pilot-scale unit with constant flow rate. The HSSF-CW was planted with Phragmites australis and operated with a single hydraulic loading rate for a 5-month period. This allowed free growth of plants and a controlled hydraulic loading rate. The experimental residence time distribution (RTD) curves showed that the real hydrodynamic behaviour of these systems varies widely from the practical assumption of ideal plug flow (PF). The data revealed a major trend to a completely stirred tank reactor (CSTR), with arbitrary flow patterns and significant degrees of dispersion. This fact indicates the inadequacy of ideal PF to describe the hydraulics of these units. Additionally, the hydrodynamic variables showed that as the system reached its maturity, the degree of mixing increased progressively within the reactor, and this reveals a direct influence of the biological (i.e., rhizospheric and plant) growth on the hydrodynamic regime of these reactors. Meanwhile, removal efficiencies of organic matter (COD and BOD) reached acceptable levels.     

Evaluation of different substrates to support the growth of Typha latifolia in constructed wetlands treating tannery wastewater over long-term operation

The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands planted with Typha latifolia treating tannery wastewater under long-term operation. Two expanded clay aggregates (Filtralite MR3-8-FMR and Filtralite NR3-8-FNR) and a fine gravel-FG were used as substrate for the constructed wetland units plus one unit with FMR was left as an unvegetated control. The systems were subject to three hydraulic loadings, 18, 8 and 6cmd(-1), and to periods of interruption in the feed. The relationship between the substrate, plant development and removal efficiency, especially of organic matter, was investigated. Organic loadings up to 1800kg BOD(5)ha(-1)d(-1) and 3849kg COD ha(-1)d(-1) were applied leading to mass removals of up to 652kg BOD(5)ha(-1)d(-1) and 1869kg COD ha(-1)d(-1), respectively. The three different substrates were adequate for the establishment of T. latifolia, although the clay aggregates allowed for higher plant propagation levels. The units with FNR and FMR achieved significantly higher COD and BOD5 removal when compared to the FG and to the unplanted units. The systems proved to be tolerant to high organic loadings and to interruptions in feed suggesting this technology as a viable option for the biological treatment of tannery wastewater.     

Application of a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland on treatment of dairy parlor wastewater

Two horizontal subsurface flow reed beds of 75 m(2) each, treating dairy parlor effluent and domestic sewage (about 6.5 m(3)/day), were set-up to determine the efficiency of this system in reducing the polluting load in an isolated mountain rural settlement.A total suspended solids value of about 0.70 g/l and chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD(5)) values of about 1200 and 450 mg/l O(2), respectively, were characteristic of the influent waters. Removal of suspended solids and organic load constantly remained at levels above 90%, while those of the nutrients N and P were about 50% and 60%, respectively. The total number of coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli was reduced by more than 99%, and faecal streptococci by more than 98%. Nitrates, chlorides, sulfates, anionic and non-ionic surface-active agents and heavy metals were detected only in low concentrations. Concentration and localization of metals was also quantified in Phragmites tissues by microanalysis.Results demonstrated the use of reed beds as an appropriate treatment to reduce pollutants in wastewater from rural activities to values acceptable for discharge into surface waters.     

Surface flow constructed wetland for heavy oil-produced water treatment

Heavy oil-produced water from China' Liaohe Oilfield was purified in a surface flow constructed wetland (SFCW) during a 3-yr field experiment. Treatment showed high mean removal efficiencies of 80%, 93%, 88% and 86% for COD, oil, BOD and TKN, respectively for reed bed #1 and 71%, 92%, 77%, and 81% for COD, oil, BOD and TKN, respectively for reed bed #2. The results also showed that in the third year of the system's operation, the oil-produced water had mainly positive impacts on the reed's health parameters. Thus, reed can be used as a feasible wetland macrophyte for treating such wastewater, and this SFCW system can operate for a long time.     

Kinetic modeling of aerobic biodegradation of high oil and grease rendering wastewater

Batch scale activated sludge kinetic studies were undertaken for the treatment of pet food wastewater characterized by oil and grease concentrations of up to 21,500 mg/L, COD and BOD concentrations of 75,000 and 60,000 mg/L, respectively as well as effluent from the batch dissolved air flotation (DAF) system. The conducted kinetics studies showed that Haldane Model fit the substrates and biomass data better than Monod model in DAF-pretreated wastewater, while the modified hydrolysis Monod model better fit the raw wastewater kinetic data. For the DAF pretreated batches, Haldane Model kinetic coefficients k, K(S), Y and Ki values of 1.28-5.35 g COD/g VSS-d, 17,833-23,477 mg/L, 0.13-0.41 mg VSS/mg COD and 48,168 mg/L, respectively were obtained reflecting the slow biodegradation rate. Modified hydrolysis Monod model kinetic constants for the raw wastewater i.e., k, K(S), Y, and K(H) varied from 1-1.3 g COD/g VSS-d, 5580-5600 mg COD/l, 0.08-0.85 mg VSS/mg COD, and 0.21-0.66 d(-1), respectively.     

Sludge dewatering and stabilization in drying reed beds: Characterization of three full-scale systems in Catalonia,Spain

Optimization of sludge management can help reducing sludge handling costs in wastewater treatment plants. Sludge drying reed beds appear as a new and alternative technology which has low energy requirements, reduced operating and maintenance costs, and causes little environmental impact. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of three full-scale drying reed beds in terms of sludge dewatering, stabilization and hygienisation. Samples of influent sludge and sludge accumulated in the reed beds were analysed for pH, Electrical Conductivity, Total Solids (TS), Volatile Solids (VS), Chemical Oxygen Demand, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, nutrients (Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) and Total Phosphorus (TP)), heavy metals and faecal bacteria indicators (Escherichiacoli and Salmonella spp.). Lixiviate samples were also collected. There was a systematic increase in the TS concentration from 1–3% in the influent to 20–30% in the beds, which fits in the range obtained with conventional dewatering technologies. Progressive organic matter removal and sludge stabilization in the beds was also observed (VS concentration decreased from 52–67% TS in the influent to 31–49% TS in the beds). Concentration of nutrients of the sludge accumulated in the beds was quite low (TKN 2–7% TS and TP 0.04–0.7% TS), and heavy metals remained below law threshold concentrations. Salmonella spp. was not detected in any of the samples, while E. coli concentration was generally lower than 460 MPN/g in the sludge accumulated in the beds. The studied systems demonstrated a good efficiency for sludge dewatering and stabilization in the context of small remote wastewater treatment plants.     

Modeling of an Aerobic Membrane Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment

The goal of this work is to develop a mathematical model to describe a continuous aerobic membrane bioreactor (MBR) for the treatment of different kinds of wastewater. Firstly, the experimental setup and the materials and methods to obtain data for the model verification are described. Secondly, a black box model is developed and verified for size containing wastewater. The model calculates output streams and concentrations from input streams and compositions using distribution coefficients. These coefficients are derived from experimental data. In a third step, two shortcut models of different complexity are developed. Both shortcut models use the black box balancing as a basis. However, the component balances for carbon and oxygen are no longer modeled by constant distribution coefficients. The basic shortcut model introduces Monod kinetics to modify the carbon balance. The enhanced shortcut model introduces transport laws for dissolved oxygen supply and combines the Monod kinetics with an additional term for oxygen limitation to model biological growth. The models show an increasing degree of agreement.     

Constructed wetlands for the treatment of landfill leachates: The Slovenian experience

Constructed wetlands are widely recognized as an economical, efficient and environmentally acceptable means to treat many different types of wastewater. Six systems have been constructed in Slovenia for the treatment of landfill leachates. This paper describes the early stages of two treatment systems operating from 1990 to 1993 that were used to treat leachates from municipal landfills. System S1 consisted of a sedimentation lagoon and a 600 m² reed bed. System S2 was designed with a sedimentation lagoon and two reed beds (total=450 m²). The subsurface flow in both was horizontal and fluctuated widely in S2, but was a constant 0.2 1 s^–1 in S1. Peat, soil, sand and gravel were in system S2, while gravel with a hydraulic conductivity of 5×10^–4 m s^–1, was in S1.The unanticipated fluctuations of hydraulic and organic loadings influenced their performance. The efficiency in reduction of organic matter, N, P, metals and fecal coliforms varied through the year. In 3 years of operation, the average removal efficiencies for COD, BOD₅ and TSS were 38%, 61%, and 81%, respectively, in S1, and 53%, 45%, and 47%, respectively, in 1.5 years of operation for S2. The reduction of ammonium did not reach the effluent standard of 10 mg l^–1 for either S1 or S2. As, Zn, Pb, and Cu accumulated in roots, and Cu, Fe, As, Ni and Pb accumulated in rhizomes after one year of operation in S2.     

The performance of peat-filled subsurface flow filters treating landfill leachate and municipal wastewater

The main objective of this study was to determine the treatment capacity of well-mineralized peat in vertical and horizontal flow filters designed to reduce phosphorus, nitrogen and organic matter in municipal wastewater from the town of Tapa and landfill leachate in Väätsa, Estonia. Two identically designed onsite experiments were conducted using the following filter systems: (a) a vertical flow (VF) peat filter, (b) a vertical flow peat/ash sediment filter (both materials in equal volumes) followed by a horizontal flow (HF) peat filter. Sphagnum peat and hydrated oil-shale ash (ash sediment) was used. In our experiments, one treated municipal wastewater over 6 months and another treated landfill leachate over 12 months. In both cases, effluent from a conventional treatment (aerated activated sludge treatment) plant was used. The median value of total phosphorus (TP) concentration in Väätsa landfill leachate was 3.4 mg P L^?1 and in municipal wastewater from Tapa 4.9 mg P L^?1. The reduction of TP in VF peat filters during the first 6 months was 58% and 63%, and in peat/ash sediment filters 94% and 67% for the Tapa experiment and the Väätsa experiment, respectively. Both experiments demonstrated that the P-removal efficiency in VF peat filters begins to decrease after 6 months of operation. The purification efficiency in HF filters fluctuated, and no significant removal of TP was found. In the removal of organic matter (BOD, COD values) and nitrogen, the best results were obtained in VF peat filters.     

Mixing and phase hold-ups variations due to gas production in anaerobic fluidized-bed digesters: influence on reactor performance

The influence of mixing and phase hold-ups on gas-producing fluidized-bed reactors was investigated and compared with an ideal flow reactor performance (CSTR). The liquid flow in the anaerobic fluidized bed reactor could be described by the classical axially dispersed plug flow model according to measurements of residence time distribution. Gas effervescence in the fluidized bed was responsible for bed contraction and for important gas hold-up, which reduced the contact time between the liquid and the bioparticles. These results were used to support the modeling of large-scale fluidized-bed reactors. The biological kinetics were determined on a 180-L reactor treating wine distillery wastewater where the overall total organic carbon uptake velocity could be described by a Monod model. The outlet concentration and the concentration profile in the reactor appeared to be greatly influenced by hydrodynamic limitations. The biogas effervescence modifies the mixing characteristics and the phase hold-ups. Bed contraction and gas hold-up data are reported and correlated with liquid and gas velocities. It is shown that the reactor performance can be affected by 10% to 15%, depending on the mode of operation and recycle ratio used. At high organic loading rates, reactor performance is particularly sensitive to gas effervescence effects. Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Filter bed systems treating domestic wastewater in the Nordic countries – Performance and reuse of filter media

Nine filter beds have been constructed in the Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Filter beds consist of a septic tank followed by an aerobic pre-treatment biofilter and a subsequent saturated flow grass-covered filter. Thus, filter beds are similar to subsurface flow constructed wetlands with pre-treatment biofilters, but do not have wetland plants with roots submerged into the saturated filter. All saturated filters contain Filtralite^®P, a light-weight expanded clay aggregate possessing high phosphorus sorption capacity. The filter bed systems showed stable and consistent performance during the testing period of 3 years. Removal of organic matter measured as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) was >80%, total phosphorus (TP) >94% and total nitrogen (TN) ranged from 32 to 66%. Effluent concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria met the European bathing water quality criteria in all systems. One system was investigated for virus removal and somatic viruses were not detected in the effluent. The investigations revealed that the majority of the BOD and nitrogen removal occurred in the pre-treatment filters and the phosphorus and bacteria removal was more prominent in the saturated filters. The saturated filters could be built substantially smaller than the current design guidelines without sacrificing treatment performance. The used filter material met the Norwegian regulations for reuse in agriculture with respect to heavy metals, bacteria and parasites. When saturated with phosphorus, the light-weight aggregate, Filtralite^®P used in the saturated bed is a suitable phosphorus fertilizer and additionally has a liming effect.     

Use of dewatered alum sludge as main substrate in treatment reed bed receiving agricultural wastewater: long-term trial

This study aims to explore a novel application of dewatered alum sludge cakes (DASC) as the main medium in a single model reed bed to treat phosphorus-rich animal farm wastewater under "tidal flow" operation on a long-term basis. It is expected that the cakes act as the carrier for developing biofilm and also serve as adsorbent to enhance phosphorus (P) immobilization. Results have demonstrated that average removal efficiencies of 73.3+/-15.9% for COD, 82.9+/-12.3% for BOD(5), 86.4+/-6.0% for RP (reactive P), 88.6+/-7.2% for soluble reactive P (SRP) and 77.6+/-17.5% for SS can be achieved during the two year's operation. More significantly, the "P-adsorption proportion" by DASC in the reed bed is 42% of the overall P removal. The remaining removal of P may be contributed by the trapping and filtration process of DASC. Therefore, the lifetime of the DASC in reed bed is reasonably longer than that determined from the batch isotherm test.     

Modeling of biofilm reactors with consecutive reactions

Modeling of biofilm reactors has been carried out by several authors. Most of the models use first-order or zero-order kinetics, because of the simplicity of the solution of the mathematical problem. However, the reaction kinetics for many practical situations is a non-linear Monod kinetics, which requires numerical solutions. This paper deals with the modeling of biofilm reactors and effectiveness factor calculations for a biofilm particle with Monod kinetics and two consecutive reactions. The model is applied to biological denitrification in a fluidized bed bioreactor, in which the liquid phase is assumed to be in plug flow. Effectiveness factors of biofilm are numerically calculated by solving the system of ODES by orthogonal collocation. Axial concentration profiles of nitrate and nitrite species are calculated and compared with experimental results.     

Generating “Tide” in Pilot‐Scale Constructed Wetlands to Enhance Agricultural Wastewater Treatment

The operation of tidal flow was studied using a pilot‐scale system treating high strength piggery wastewater. Located on a farm in Staffordshire, UK, the system consisted of five wetland treatment stages vegetated with common reeds of Phragmites australis. Wastewater samples were collected from the inlet and outlet of each stage and analyzed for BOD₅, COD, NH₄‐N, NO₃‐N, NO₂‐N, SS, PO₄‐P and pH. Average hydraulic and organic loadings on the system were 0.12 m³/m² d and 240 g BOD/m² d, respectively, which is considerably higher than the typical loadings on conventional subsurface flow systems. On average, BOD₅ and COD were reduced by 82 % and 80 % from initial concentrations of 2000 mg/L and 2750 mg/L, respectively, across the whole system. The first‐order kinetics constant for BOD₅ removal (K_BOD in m/d) in this tidal flow system is approximately 2.5 times the rate constant obtainable in a typical horizontal flow system, demonstrating a more efficient removal of organic matter in tidal flow wetlands. The overall efficiency of the system was found to increase with time before stabilizing towards the end of a start‐up period. Straight‐line correlations were established between the loading and removal of BOD₅ and COD. Contributions by individual stages to the overall treatment were analyzed. SEM images of wetland media demonstrated the formation of biofilms and microbial activities inside the matrices of the wetland system, which accounted for the degradations of organic pollutants.     

Comparison of coagulants and coagulation aids for treatment of meat processing wastewater by column flotation

The physicochemical treatment of the wastewater from a meat processing industry was studied using three ferric salts as coagulants in conjunction with four different polymers as coagulation aids by batch column flotation. The effluent was characterized in terms of pH (6.5-6.7), turbidity (1000-12000 NTU), total solids (TS) (2300-7000mgl(-1)), oils and greases (OG) (820-1050mgl(-1)), and biochemical and chemical oxygen demands (BOD(5) and COD) (1200-1760 and 2800-3230mgl(-1)), respectively. The treatments achieved typical organic load reductions of oils and greases, and total solids (up to 85%), as well as biochemical and chemical oxygen demands (between 62.0-78.8% and 74.6-79.5%, respectively). The research also found that the utilization of a column flotation achieved high efficiency of organic matter removal and its operation as a primary treatment showed no significant dependence of pollutant removal and air flow rate.