ENHANCED NUTRIENT REMOVALS USING CONVENTIONAL ANOXIC BIOMECHANIC AEROBIC SYSTEM FOR ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Abstract

ABSTRACT A bench-scale absorbent biofilter system combined with a conventional anoxic process was investigated in regard to its feasibility for removing organic as well as nutrient materials from small community wastewater in Korea. A polyurethane biofilter medium with high porosity and a large surface area were used for the aerobic system. Part of treated wastewater was recirculated into the anoxic process to promote removal rate of nutrients. At three different ratios of recirculation, the BOD and SS of treated wastewater satisfied standard regulations for a small wastewater treatment facility (10 mg/l) during the overall experimental period. The system reduced the concentration of BOD from approximately 130 mg/l to 6.1 (removal rate of 95.2%) and 1.7 mg/l (removal rate of 98.7%). These results correspond to recirculation ratios of 1 and 2, respectively. A further increase of the recirculation ratio did not significantly improve the removal rate or further reduce effluent BOD concentration. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus also were removed effectively, with maximum removal rates of 65.3 and 84.1% for nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively. The recirculation ratio for optimum nitrogen removal was 2, while the removal of phosphorus continued to increase across the entire range of recirculation ratios tested. With a recirculation ratio of 2, the total phosphorous removal rate increased dramatically as initial ammonium concentration increased, while nitrogen removal was not affected in this manner. During the experimental period of 2 years, the system was quite stable, requiring the minimum amount of maintenance and a relatively low cost compared to other utility expenses. Based on the experimental data, the proposed anoxic-biofilter aerobic recirculation system might be used as a new alternative technology for wastewater treatment in small communities in Korea.