Integrated simple ceramic filter and waste stabilization pond for domestic wastewater treatment

Abstract

Abstract A laboratory scale study was undertaken to investigate the applicability of a simple ceramic filter (SCF) when integrated into a Waste Stabilization Pond (WSP) system and was operated under different experimental conditions. The SCF was made of locally available materials: 80% soil and 20% rice bran on weight basis. Scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS) analysis indicated mainly the presence of C, O, Si, Fe and Al. The SCF was submerged in rectangular pond reactors made of glass sheets. Synthetic wastewater was fed continuously into the reactors that contained algae (mainly Scenedesmus) mixed liquor; effluent through the integrated filter was collected using a suction pump. Filtration efficiency, organic removal performance, flux and HRT effects, organic loading rate optimization and SCF maintenance were investigated through different experimental conditions. High organic removal was achieved due to efficient filtration performance. Nitrogen removal was critically dependent on organic carbon availability. A linear relationship between flux, HRT, BOD loads and clogging frequency was obtained. Reversible fouling of SCF was observed during the experiment and simple physical cleaning was found effective for its maintenance. In general, the results of this study indicated that the low cost SCF can be integrated with WSP for treating domestic wastewater, after identifying optimum hydraulic loadings and associated size and shape.