A predictive model for ammonium removal in polishing ponds operated in sequential bath mode.

The magnitude of pH changes in polishing ponds can be predicted by simple stoichiometric rules if the extent of processes affecting this parameter is known. Thus, the objective of this article was to develop a model that predicts pH variation and ammonia desorption in polishing ponds in sequential batches, depending on the rates of processes that affect pH in ponds and to evaluate the influence of temperature and depth on these processes. As the temperature conditions change during the year, for model validation, tests were carried out under two medium temperature conditions (hot period and cold period) and four lakes with depths between 0.2 and 1.0 m. The proposed model is validated by the good correspondence between the simulated and experimentally obtained values for the two temperature conditions and for both periods. For the hot period, the model excelled, presenting a high linear correlation, always with R 2 above 0.90 for all ponds. For the cold period, the lowest R 2 obtained was 0.74 for the four lakes. Thus, the proposed model is suitable to describe the pH variation and ammonia desorption in polishing ponds in sequential batches, at all analyzed depths and under both temperature conditions.

Projeto de otimização de sistemas anaeróbios para tratamento de esgoto em escala unifamiliar / Design optimization of a simple single family anaerobic sewage treatment system

RESUMO O objetivo do presente trabalho é propor uma nova configuração de reatores Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) para utilização no tratamento unifamiliar, sendo menores e mais eficientes do que o tradicional tanque séptico. O sistema experimental foi projetado em escala piloto, constituindo-se de oito reatores UASB de 250 L cada. Seis dessas unidades são modificadas, mas mantêm o conceito e os princípios dos reatores UASB convencionais; no entanto, foram projetados com geometria diferenciada, alternando-se as zonas de sedimentação e digestão. Comparativamente a esses reatores, foram operados um reator UASB-Y e um UASB convencional. Todos os reatores foram capazes de digerir esgoto bruto de forma eficiente em tempos de detenção hidráulica de 12 e 6 horas. Foram obtidas eficiências de remoção do material orgânico de 67 a 74%. A análise de variância (ANOVA) mostrou que não houve diferença significativa entre as eficiências obtidas nos diferentes reatores. Uma elevada concentração de lodo foi retida na zona de digestão, obtendo-se, assim, elevada capacidade de tratamento. Os ensaios de sedimentação mostraram que as constantes de sedimentação obtidas para o lodo do reator são melhores que as obtidas para o lodo expulso juntamente com o efluente. Em contrapartida, as atividades metanogênicas dos lodos do reator e expulso não diferem significativamente.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work is to propose a new configuration UASB (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket) for use in single-family treatment, which is smaller and more efficient than the traditional septic tank (TS). The experimental system was designed on a pilot scale, consisting of eight reactors UASB 250 L each. Six of these units are modified, but keep the concept and principles of conventional UASB reactors; they were, however, designed with different geometry, alternating zones of sedimentation and digestion. Compared to these reactors, an UASB reactor-Y and a conventional UASB were operated. All reactors were able to digest raw sewage efficiently in hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 24:06 hours. Organic material removal efficiencies of 67-74% were obtained. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant difference between the efficiencies obtained in the different reactors. A high sludge concentration was retained in the digestion zone, thus yielding, high capacity treatment. Sedimentation tests have shown that the constants obtained for the sedimentation sludge reactor are better than those obtained for the sludge which is expelled with the effluent. In contrast, sludge methanogenic activity of the reactor and expelled sludge is not significantly different.

Desorption rate of volatile compounds in polishing ponds.

Increase of pH in polishing ponds can be predicted quantitatively from variations in alkalinity and acidity. These variables are affected by processes that develop simultaneously in ponds: (1) CO(2) desorption, (2) biological CO(2) removal by photosynthesis and (3) NH(3) desorption. An experimental investigation was carried out to determine the desorption rate of carbon dioxide and ammonium. It is shown that CO(2) and NH(3) desorption can be described by Fick's law, which describes desorption of a gaseous compounds from water as a first order process with respect to the degree of oversaturation, which is the driving force of the process. An experimental investigation was carried out to determine the desorption rate constants. The value of the constant proved to be inversely proportional to the depth of the pond (H) and its value for H=1 m and at 26°C was established as K(CO2)=0.34/H d(-1) for carbon dioxide and K(NH3)=0.33/H d(-1) for ammonium.

The effects of operational and environmental variations on anaerobic wastewater treatment systems: a review.

With the aim of improving knowledge about the stability and reliability of anaerobic wastewater treatment systems, several researchers have studied the effects of operational or environmental variations on the performance of such reactors. In general, anaerobic reactors are affected by changes in external factors, but the severity of the effect is dependent upon the type, magnitude, duration and frequency of the imposed changes. The typical responses include a decrease in performance, accumulation of volatile fatty acids, drop in pH and alkalinity, change in biogas production and composition, and sludge washout. This review summarises the causes, types and effects of operational and environmental variation on anaerobic wastewater treatment systems. However, there still remain some unclear technical and scientific aspects that are necessary for the improvement of the stability and reliability of anaerobic processes.

Anaerobic and complementary treatment of domestic sewage in regions with hot climates--a review.

This study presents a literature review on the treatment of domestic sewage in controlled environments having the anaerobic process and specifically the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) concept as the core, under natural hot conditions. The UASB process application is however beset by the preponderance of suspended solids, and the paper looks at its optimization via pre- and post-treatments to curb the prevailing problems, in the light of possible discharge and re-use/recycling/resource recovery, leading to efficient environmental protection. Pre-treatment clarification could be done with ferric chloride/polyelectrolyte, so that phosphate precipitates during the process. The pre-treated liquid phase can be submitted to a high rate anaerobic process, using the simple and robust UASB technology. In a subsequent post-treatment step, ammonium can be removed by ion exchange using a zeolite column through which the wastewater percolates after leaving the anaerobic digester. The various stages can also eliminate a large fraction of the pathogens present in the raw wastewater, mainly through the pre-treatment sedimentation and the ion exchange filtration. The sludge produced in the precipitation stage can be stabilized in a conventional anaerobic digester. Integration of the different treatment steps provides a sustainable technology to treat domestic sewage under hot climate conditions.

Tratamento de esgoto para uso na agricultura do semi-árido nordestino / Treatment of sewage for use in the agriculture of the semi-arid north east Brazil

O presente trabalho relata o desempenho de três sistemas de pós-tratamento de efluente anaeróbio: wetland, leito de brita não vegetado e lagoas de polimento, operados com o objetivo de produzir efluentes para reúso na agricultura do semi-árido do Nordeste do Brasil. Para tanto, foram investigados os parâmetros: DQO, pH, sólidos e suas frações, macronutrientes, ovos de helmintos e indicadores de contaminação fecal. Apenas a Lagoa de Polimento produziu um efluente compatível com as recomendações da OMS para irrigação irrestrita. Os efluentes dos sistemas wetland e leito de brita não vegetado, embora isentos de ovos de helmintos, apresentaram concentração de coliformes termotolerantes acima dessas recomendações. A quantidade de macro e micronutrientes contida nos três efluentes é suficiente para a maioria das culturas cultivadas na região semi-árida do Nordeste do Brasil.

Utilização de wetland construído no pós-tratamento de esgotos domésticos pré-tratados em reator UASB / Use of constructed wetland for the post-treatment of domestic sewage anaerobic effluent from UASB reactor

Este trabalho relata o desempenho de três sistemas wetland, operados com efluente proveniente de reator UASB, no que se refere à remoção de nutrientes, organismos patogênicos e material carbonáceo, durante três anos de monitoramento. A eficiência da remoção de material carbonáceo variou de 70 a 86 por cento; o efluente produzido expresso em DQO manteve-se na média de 60mg.L-1. A remoção de nitrogênio e fósforo, durante o primeiro ano de operação, foi considerável, 66 e 86 por cento respectivamente O wetland vegetado apresentou maior eficiência na redução de coliformes termotolerantes, quando comparado ao wetland não vegetado, ambos operados com a mesma carga hidráulica (23 mm. dia-1). No entanto a análise de variância confirma que não há diferença significativa em relação à redução de coliformes entre um e outro.

Removal of carbon and nutrients from domestic wastewater using a low investment, integrated treatment concept.

An integrated chemical-physical-biological treatment concept for the low-cost treatment of domestic wastewater is proposed. Domestic wastewater was subjected to a chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT), followed by treatment in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. In addition, a regenerable zeolite was used to remove NH4+, either after CEPT pretreatment or after biological treatment in the UASB reactor. The CEPT pretreatment consisted of the addition of a coagulant (FeCl3) and an anionic organic flocculant and removed on average 73% of the total chemical oxygen demand (COD(t)), 85% of the total suspended solids, and 80% of PO4(3-) present in the wastewater. The UASB system, which consequently received a low COD(t) input of approximately 140 mg/L, was operated using a volumetric loading rate of 0.4 g COD(t)/L. d (hydraulic retention time [HRT]=10 h) and 0.7 g COD(t)/L. d (HRT=5 h). For these conditions, the system removed about 55% of the COD(t) in its influent, thus producing an effluent with a low COD(t) of approximately 50 mg/L. The zeolite, when applied in batch mode before the UASB reactor, removed approximately 45% of the NH4+, whereas its application as a post-treatment cartridge resulted in almost 100% NH4+ removal. The simple design and relatively low operating costs, due to low costs of added chemicals and low energy input (estimated at Euro 0.07-0.1 per m3 wastewater treated), combined with excellent treatment performance, means that this system can be used as a novel domestic wastewater treatment system for developing countries. Therefore, the system is called a Low Investment Sewage Treatment (LIST) system.