Anaerobic baffled reactor followed by up-flow constructed wetland for treatment of municipal wastewater

Abstract

A laboratory-scale anaerobic baffled reactor followed by up-flow constructed wetland are designed and developed with different filter media, and emergent plants. The effectiveness of an anaerobic baffle reactor (ABR) for settling down inorganic and treatment of the organic matter is observed in the present study. Further, two up-flow constructed wetland (UCW) units filled with Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (ACC) blocks and coconut shells as a filter media and wetland plants are combined for bio-phyto treatment. The performance of the treatment system is analyzed with hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 12 h, 18 h, and 24 h. The removal of TSS, COD, TN, and TP are found to be 96 %, 84 %, 68 %, and 65.5 %, respectively, with 24 h HRT, which complied with the discharge standards. Due to the simplicity of construction as well as low operation and maintenance, the present treatment combination is considered eco-friendly, sustainable, and a cost-effective option for households or communities prior to its safe discharge. The treated water is ready to use for irrigation, gardening, floriculture, cleaning, and flushing.