Novel Vertical Flow Wetland Filtration Combined with Co-Zeotype Material Based Catalytic Ozonation Process for the Treatment of Municipal Wastewater

Abstract

Municipal wastewater treatment to recycling level is an important means to conserve water resources. Untreated wastewater leads to a reduction in per capita availability of water and an increase in environmental pollution. Therefore, in the current study, a filtration process based on Typha Angustifolia planted vertical flow wetland and Rice husk (VFCW) in combination with catalytic ozonation based on Cobalt loaded zeotype catalyst was used for the first time to treat municipal wastewater. The results at optimized conditions show that about 89%, 93%, and 97% of BOD5, COD, and TKN respectively were removed based on combined VFCW/Co-zeotype/O3 processes. More than 90% elimination of heavy metals including Cr, Cu, Cd, Fe, Ni, and Zn was also observed. Hence, it is concluded that the VFCW/Co-zeotype/O3 process has potential as an alternative to conventional treatment for municipal wastewater treatment.