Evaluation of geotextile filtration applying coagulant and flocculant amendments for aquaculture biosolids dewatering and phosphorus removal

Abstract

Wastes contained in the microscreen backwash discharged from intensive recirculating aquaculture systems were removed and dewatered in simple geotextile bag filters. Three chemical coagulation aids (aluminum sulfate (alum), ferric chloride, and calcium hydroxide (hydrated lime)), were tested in combination with a long-chain polymer flocculation aid (HyChem CE 1950 at 25mg/L) to determine the most cost effective and efficient treatment combination. Three different coagulants were tested to determine if coagulant choice impacts nutrient and carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (cBOD5) leaching into the filtrate and the final composition of the bag-captured biosolids at the end of each period. If nutrient leaching into the bag filtrate could be minimized through coagulant selection, then geotextile bags could provide a convenient and effective method to dewater waste biosolids and provide them in a form that fish farmers could readily transport, store, or send for disposal.Results from replicate geotextile bag filter tests indicate that when alum, ferric chloride, and hydrated lime (plus a polymer) were amended to a backwash flow, both suspended solids capture and solids thickening were improved; i.e., total suspended solids removal rates of 95.8, 95.1, and 96.0%, respectively, were achieved along with final dewatered filter cake percent solids concentrations of 22.1, 19.3, and 20.9%, respectively. Alum, ferric chloride, and hydrated lime (plus a polymer) amended geotextile bags were not as effective in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and cBOD5 removal, resulting in removal rates of 69.6, 67.2, and 35.3%, respectively, and 56.6, 9.3, and −47.4%, respectively. Further, the use of lime as a coagulant resulted in filtrate COD and cBOD5 concentrations that exceeded inlet concentrations. Total nitrogen removal applying alum, ferric chloride, and lime were also less than effective, resulting in removal rates of 39.1, 46.7, and −8.9%, respectively. Filtrate total nitrogen concentrations were primarily in the inorganic form (total ammonia nitrogen) suggesting mineralization of ammonia as solids were stored within geotextile bags under anaerobic conditions. Alum, ferric chloride, and lime amended bags were moderately efficient at total phosphorus removal, resulting in removal rates of 67.6, 47.0, and 77.3%, respectively. Alum was identified as the most cost effective chemical for coagulation, but hydrated lime was the most effective at dissolved phosphorus precipitation and removal.