The potential of an iron rich substrate for phosphorus removal in decentralized wastewater treatment systems

• Published in: Separation and purification technology 2011-02, Vol.77 (1), p.40-45
• Main Authors: Moelants, N., Smets, I.Y., Van Impe, J.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical engineering; Exact sciences and technology; General purification processes; laws and regulations; Nutrient removal; phosphorus; Phosphorus removal model; Pollution; Small-scale wastewater treatment; sorption; wastewater treatment; Wastewaters; water flow; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 1383-5866; 1873-3794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2010.11.017

[Display omitted] ▶ Iron rich granular substrate (S) for removing phosphorus (P) from secondary effluent. ▶ High maximum P sorption capacity of 20 g P/kg S and satisfying sorption kinetics. ▶ Characterization of water flow through the substrate grains. ▶ Identification of a P removal model useful for dimensioning full-scale plants. Stimulated by the European legislation, decentralized compact wastewater treatment systems are more and more being used as a domestic wastewater treatment alternative in locations far from an existing sewer network. In this paper, an alternative phosphorus removal method, i.e., phosphorus removal through an iron rich substrate, has been investigated for its potential for implementation in these decentralized systems. Lab-scale batch tests were carried out to estimate (i) the maximum phosphorus sorption capacity Q m and (ii) the sorption kinetics of the substrate. Lab-scale column tests were performed to characterize the packing of the substrate and the water flow through the substrate. A phosphorus removal model was developed and validated. With this model, the total phosphorus concentration at the end of the column under different circumstances can be predicted, and the dimensions needed in a full-scale decentralized system can be determined.