Development of Low Cost Solid-Liquid Separation Prototype Used for Recovering Nutrients from Wastewater in the Gaza strip

Abstract

The solid-liquid separation (SLS) is a key process for a nutrient recovery from domestic wastewater, besides lowering the requirements of secondary treatment. This study presents the development of a new SLS prototype, which is an interesting alternative to conventional pre-treatment equipment e.g. septic tank, and Imhoff tanks. The SLS was designed, developed, and realized for the first time in the Gaza Strip for a decentralized separation of wastewater solids from liquid at household level in order to facilitate a nutrient recovery. One of the key advantages of this SLS over other conventional pre-treatment equipment is the implementation at shallow depths with less construction and maintenance requirements and costs. The investigation and actual implementation of the prototype showed promising results in recovering nutrients from wastewater, which can be converted into a hygienically safe and nutrient-rich soil conditioner. The SLS prototype was designed to allow the infiltrated liquid to be drained to the next treatment equipment before reuse in irrigation.