Sustainable options of post treatment of UASB effluent treating sewage: A review

The upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) process is reported to be a sustainable technology for domestic wastewaters treatment in developing countries and for small communities. However, the inability of UASB process to meet the desired disposal standards has given enough impetus for subsequent post treatment. In order to upgrade the UASB based sewage treatment plants (STPs) to achieve desired effluent quality for disposal or for reuse, various technological options are available and broadly differentiated as primary post-treatment for the removal of organic and inorganic compounds and suspended matter; secondary post-treatment for the removal of hardly degradable soluble matter, colloidal and nutrients; and polishing systems for removals of pathogens. Hence, this paper discusses the different systems for the treatment of UASB reactor effluent treating sewage. Additionally, a comparative review, an economic evaluation of some of the emerging options was conducted and based on the extensive review of different integrated combination, i.e. UASB-different aerobic systems, a treatment concept based on natural biological mineralization route recognized as an advanced technology to meet all practical aspects to make it a sustainable for environmental protection, resource preservation and recovering maximum resources.     

Nitrogen recovery in an integrated system for wastewater treatment and tilapia production

An integrated system, consisting of Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB)-duckweed-tilapia ponds was used for recovery of sewage nutrients and water recycling. A UASB reactor with 40 liter working volume was used as pre-treatment unit followed by a series of three duckweed ponds for nitrogen recovery. The treated effluent and duckweed biomass was used to feed fishponds stocked with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The UASB reactor was fed with raw, domestic sewage at 6 h hydraulic retention time. The three duckweed ponds were stocked with Lemna gibba and fed with UASB effluent at 15 days hydraulic retention time. Nitrogen recovery from UASB effluent via duckweed biomass represented 81% of total nitrogen removal and 46.5% from the total nitrogen input to the system. In subsequent fishponds the nitrogen recovery from duckweed as fish feed was in the range of 13.4–20%. This nitrogen in fish biomass represented 10.6–11.5 g N from the total nitrogen in the raw sewage fed to the UASB reactor. The growth performance of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) showed specific growth rates (SGR) in the range of 0.53–0.97. The range of feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were 1.2–2.2 and 2.1–2.28, respectively. The results of the experiments showed total fish yield and net fish yield in the range of 17–22.8 ton/ha/y and 11.8–15.7 ton/ha/y respectively. In conclusion UASB-duckweed-tilapia ponds provide marketable by-products in the form of duckweed and fish protein, which represent a cost recovery for sewage treatment.     

Economic evaluation of sewage treatment processes in India

This paper evaluates the total annual cost including capital and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs for the up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and waste stabilization pond (WSP) systems operated in India. It also compares UASB and WSP systems with the activated sludge process (ASP) and biological aerated filter (BAF) systems in terms of total annual cost and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal cost by assuming various annual interest rates and land prices. It was found that the relationship between capital and O&M costs per unit size of a UASB or WSP system and its treatment capacity can be established by a first-order equation. The relation between the cost of organic removal and capital or O&M cost for various sewage treatment systems at various annual interest rates revealed that, for the Indian context, UASB could be the most suitable option in terms of expenses and treatment efficiency.     

Modelling anaerobic biofilm reactors--a review

Anaerobic treatment has become a technically as well as economically feasible option for treatment of liquid effluents after the development of reactors such as the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor, expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor, anaerobic biofilter and anaerobic fluidized bed reactor (AFBR). Considerable effort has gone into developing mathematical models for these reactors in order to optimize their design, design the process control systems used in their operation and enhance their operational efficiency. This article presents a critical review of the different mathematical models available for these reactors. The unified anaerobic digestion model (ADM1) and its application to anaerobic biofilm reactors are also outlined.     

四川沱牌集团污水综合治理工程联动运行及工艺调试

本文介绍了四川沱牌集团污水综合治理工程所采用的预处理-厌氧-好氧处理工艺的联动运行及工艺调试情况,探讨了pH调整、UASB的启动、好氧池丝状菌的控制方法,阐述了UASB的快速启动经验,验证了UASB CASS工艺处理高浓度酿酒废水是可行的。     

生活污水的厌氧处理实验研究

利用UASB对生活污水的厌氧中试,使厌氧水力停留时间在8小时,处理效率达到80%,较大地降低了生活污水的吨水投资及直接运行费用.     

Revival of Mathura's ailing Yamuna river

The quality restoration of any river, especially of the Yamuna at Mathura, a religious center in India, is a very complex and interdisciplinary endeavor. River pollution cannot be minimized merely by diverting the routes of drains carrying wastewaters and/or establishing sewage treatment plants. The required strategy for pollution control should not only be a multi-line approach but also be fool proof. The various sources of pollution in the Yamuna river and possible strategies to restore this ailing river to its pristine status are presented in this paper.     

化学合成类制药废水处理工程的工艺设计

根据化学合成类制药废水高盐分、难降解、高浓度的特点,提出了"废水分质分流,物化+生化"的处理思路。高浓度工艺废水经二级氧化处理后再与低浓度废水混合,进入生化处理工艺流程。物化采用"多维电催化+高效微电解"的二级高级氧化处理,生化段采用"UASB厌氧+水解+好氧"的处理工艺。这种联合处理工艺具有处理效果稳定、占地面积小、运行成本较低的特点,废水处理后达到工业园区污水厂接管标准后接入污水管网。     

Studies on the toxic effects of pentachlorophenol on the biological activity of anaerobic granular sludge

In order to explore the pathway of the anaerobic biotreatment of the wastewater containing pentachlorophenol (PCP) and ensure the normal operation of Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor, the anaerobic sludge under different acclimation conditions were selected to seed and start up UASB reactors. Anaerobic toxicity assays were employed to study the biological activity, the tolerance and the capacity to degrade PCP of different anaerobic granular sludge from UASB reactors. Results showed that the anaerobic granular sludge acclimated to chlorophenols (CPs) could degrade PCP more quickly (up to 9.50mg-PCPg(-1)TVSd(-1)). And the anaerobic granular sludge without acclimation to CPs had only a little activity of degrading PCP (less than 0.07mg-PCPg(-1)TVSd(-1)). Different PCP concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8mgL(-1)) had different inhibition effects on glucose utilization, volatile fatted acidity (VFA)-degrading and methanogens activity of PCP degradation anaerobic granular sludge, and the biological activity declined with the increase in PCP concentration. The methanogens activity suffered inhibition from PCP more easily. The different acclimation patterns of seeded sludge had distinctly different effects on biological activity of the degradation of PCP of anaerobic granular sludge from UASB reactors. The biological activity of the anaerobic granular sludge acclimated to PCP only was also inhibited. This inhibition was weak compared to that of anaerobic granular sludge acclimated to CPs, further, the activity could recover more quickly in this case. In the same reactor, the anaerobic granular sludge from the mid and base layers showed higher tolerance to PCP than that from super layer or if the sludge is unacclimated to CPs, and the corresponding recovery time of the biological activity in the mid and base layers were short. Acetate-utilizing methanogens and syntrophic propinate degraders were sensitive to PCP, compared to syntrophic butyrate degraders.     

Determination of granule size distribution in a UASB reactor

Granular sludge is the key factor for an efficient operation of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. In order to monitor the granularity of anaerobic sludge, the determination of the granule size distribution is of vital importance. For this reason, several techniques have been proposed; however, they are either tedious, imprecise or expensive and hardly applicable in full-scale treatment plants. There was then the need for a simple and low-cost technique. This technique involves the determination of the settling velocities of a sludge sample and of extrapolating the corresponding diameters using a mathematical algorithm. In the proposed algorithm, the granules density was calculated, the flow regime was examined and finally the granule size distribution was obtained. Two very important correlations were suggested by the experimental results. The granule density and diameter were strongly correlated with the VSS/TSS ratio.     

Polyurethane rotating disc system for post-treatment of anaerobically pre-treated sewage

The performance of polyurethane rotating discs (RBC-1) versus polystyrene rotating discs (RBC-2) for the treatment of an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor effluent fed with domestic wastewater was investigated. Both RBC units were operated at the same organic loading rate (OLR) of 10.5 gCOD/m² d. and a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2.5 h. The residual values of COD fractions (COD_suspended, COD_colloidal and COD_soluble) in the treated effluent of RBC-1 and RBC-2 were similar. However, the removal efficiency of ammonia in the RBC-1 (87 ± 4%) was significantly higher than that found for RBC-2 i.e. 24 ± 6%. Moreover, RBC-1 achieved a substantial removal efficiency of 99.0 ± 1% for Escherichia coli (E. coli), while RBC-2 removed 91.2 ± 0.3%. Based on these results, optimization of RBC-1 treating UASB reactor effluent was extensively performed. The RBC-1 was operated at an OLR's of 4.0, 11 and 23 gCOD/m² d. The results obtained showed that increasing the OLR from 11.0 to 23.0 gCOD/m² d and decreasing the HRT from 2.5 to 1.25 h significantly declined the effluent quality of COD_total and ammonia. However, the residual values of COD_total and ammonia remained unaffected when increasing the OLR from 4.0 to 11.0 gCOD/m² d and by decreasing the HRT from 5 to 2.5 h. Bacteriological examination showed that the mean residual count of E. coli remained at a level of 10⁴/100 ml, in the effluent of RBC-1 independent on the imposed HRT. Accordingly, it is recommended to operate RBC-1 for treatment of anaerobically pre-treated sewage at an OLR of 11 gCOD/m² d and an HRT of 2.5 h.A feed-less (ammonia limitation) period of 9.0 days followed by 9.0 days feeding with high OLR of 26 gCOD/m² d. (raw sewage) was investigated to elaborate, if the nitrifiers of the RBC-1 are capable to convert ammonia to nitrate after totally 18 days when retuning back to the normal operating conditions. The results of the experiment clearly show a strong and immediate detrimental effect of imposing high OLR of 26 gCOD/m² d on the nitrification process in the nitrifying RBC unit. However, after returning back to the original OLR of 10.6 gCOD/m² d, the nitrification efficiency in the RBC unit was recovered within 2–3 days.     

Removal of bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate from reject water in a nitrogen-removing sequencing batch reactor

Reject water from sewage sludge processing may contain high concentrations of nutrients and organic pollutants and cause internal pollution load at a sewage treatment plant (STP) if circulated to the headworks of an STP. In the present study removal of nitrogen and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) from reject water was studied in two sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) with different aerobic/anoxic periods during a 6-h total cycle period. Ammonia-nitrogen (NH(4)-N) was almost totally removed in both reactors, apparently by nitrification throughout the run, while denitrification declined with decreasing SCOD in the influent resulting in an increase in the effluent nitrate-nitrogen (NO(3)-N) concentration. DEHP removals from the water phases were above 95% in both reactors, while the average total removals were 36 and 42%, calculated on a mass basis. Much higher removals occurred in the experiment where one of the systems was spiked with a given amount of DEHP. The spiking experiment suggested that SBRs had the potential to remove DEHP biologically from reject water but that the removal was restricted by the poor bioavailability of DEHP as a result of sorption to solids. This study showed that SBR has the potential to cut the internal load of nitrogen and hydrophobic organic pollutants in cases where reject water is circulated to the headworks of an STP.     

Preliminary evaluation of the electrochemical and chemical coagulation processes in the post-treatment of effluent from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor

The main objective of this paper was to perform a preliminary comparative study between chemical and electrochemical coagulation processes, both followed by flocculation and sedimentation of an effluent from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating simulated wastewater from an unbleached Kraft pulp mill. The electrochemical treatment removed up to 67% (with aluminum electrodes) and 82% (with stainless-steel electrodes) of the remaining chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 84% (stainless steel) and 98% (aluminum) of the color in the wastewater. These efficiencies were achieved with an energy consumption ranging from 14 to 20 Wh l(-1). The coagulation-flocculation treatment with ferric chloride and aluminum sulfate removed up to 87% and 90% of COD and 94% and 98% of color, respectively. The addition of a high molecular weight cationic polymer enhanced both COD and color removal efficiencies. The two post-treatment processes proved to be technically feasible; however the economical feasibility could not be assessed since the experiments were performed with small reactors that could distort scale factors.     

Anaerobic/aerobic treatment of meat processing wastewater

The meat processing industry is believed to produce highly polluted wastewater. Analysis of such wastewater indicated that the waste was highly contaminated with organic compounds as indicated by COD (1544mgO2l–1), BOD (646mgO2l–1), and TSS (1155 mgl–1). Moreover, oil and grease concentrations reached 144mgl–1 treatment of raw wastewater using Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) followed by Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC) was studied. Efficiency of the UASB for the removal of CODtotal, BODtotal, TSS, and oil and grease was 56%, 56%, 85%, and 58%, respectively. The quality of the UASB effluent barely complies with the regulatory standards for discharging wastewater into the sewerage network. UASB effluent was subjected for further treatment using a RBC unit to improve the quality of the treated effluent for reuse in irrigation purposes. Residual COD, BOD, TSS, and oil and grease, following RBC, was 132mgO2l–1, 40mgO2l–1, 44mgl–1, and 10mgl–1 respectively. The overall efficiency of the treatment units provided good quality effluent. The overall percentage removal of COD, BOD, TSS, and oil and grease was 91.5%, 94%, 96%, and 91%, respectively. Based on the quality of the treated effluent and guidelines recommended for wastewater reuse, it may be concluded that a slight to moderate restricted irrigation is applicable to reuse the treated effluent in the green belt around the factory. Disinfection should be applied to ensure the safety of such a process.     

长江经济带污水处理设施减排效率与影响因素研究

污水处理设施作为废水排放的处理终端,在区域水环境治理的过程中发挥关键作用。本文以长江经济带沿线1117座污水处理设施为样本,以单位污水处理能耗作为污水处理设施的投入变量,BOD5等污染物的削减率作为产出变量,在考虑各类污染物对环境造成的异质性影响下利用WSBM模型对污水处理设施的减排效率进行测度,并运用CLAD模型对影响污水处理设施减排效率的外部因素进行研究。结果表明:长江经济带污水处理设施综合减排效率较低且差异较大,设施单位污水处理能耗冗余率较高以及对总磷污染物减排效果不理想是制约其减排效率提高的重要因素;长江经济带污水处理设施的减排纯技术效率总体呈现"东高西低",以上海、湖南、云南三省份形成"三极"的空间分布特征,而设施减排规模效率则呈现出"中部高、东西低"的空间分布格局;设施减排效率外部影响因素的驱动效应差异明显,并据此提出了排水管网合理规划、推进新型城镇化建设等对策建议。     

Trees' role in nitrogen leaching after organic, mineral fertilization: a greenhouse experiment

New sustainable agriculture techniques are arising in response to the environmental problems caused by intensive agriculture, such as nitrate leaching and surface water eutrophication. Organic fertilization (e.g., with sewage sludge) and agroforestry could be used to reduce nutrient leaching. We assessed the efficiency of establishing trees and pasture species in environmentally sensitive, irrigated Mediterranean grassland soils in controlling nitrate leaching. Four vegetation systems-bare soil, pasture species, cherry trees [ (L.) L.], and pasture-tree mixed plantings-and five fertilization treatments-control, two doses of mineral fertilizer, and two doses of organic fertilizer (sewage sludge)-were tested in a greenhouse experiment over 2 yr. In the experiment, the wet and warm climate characteristics of Mediterranean irrigated croplands and the plant-to-plant and soil-to-plant interactions that occur in open-field agroforestry plantations were simulated. Following a factorial design with six replicates, 120 pots (30-cm radius and 120 cm deep) were filled with a sandy, alluvial soil common in the cultivated fluvial plains of the region. The greatest pasture production and tree growth were obtained with sewage sludge application. Both pasture production and tree growth decreased significantly in the pasture-tree mixed planting. Nitrate leaching was negligible in this latter treatment, except under the highest dose of sewage sludge application. The rapid mineralization of sludge suggested that this organic fertilizer should be used very cautiously in warm, irrigated Mediterranean soils. Mixed planting of pasture species and trees, such as , could be a useful tool for mitigating nitrate leaching from irrigated Mediterranean pastures on sandy soils.     

雅安市青衣江流域乡镇污水处理情况的研究

通过对青衣江流域周公河、陇西河支流现有的25个乡镇一体化小型污水站运行情况进行水环境质量监测,用实验室方法分析其中水温、pH、CODCr、 BOD5、悬浮物、氨氮(以N计)、总磷(以P计)等项目,进一步了解乡镇污水站的运行状况和污水处理效果.调查研究表明:25个乡镇污水站处理排放达标率均值不足40％,处理效果从高到低依...     

Wastewater management in a cane molasses distillery involving bioresource recovery

Waste management involving bioresource recovery in a cane molasses-based distillery engaged in the manufacture of rectified spirit (alcohol) is described. The spentwash generated from the distillation of fermenter wash is highly acidic (pH 4.0-4.3) with high rates of biochemical and chemical oxygen demand (BOD: 52-58, COD: 92-100 kg/m3) and suspended solids (2.0-2.5 kg/m3). Biogas is recovered from high strength raw spentwash through the full-scale application of a biomethanation system as pretreatment option, comprising anaerobic fixed film reactors. This, combined with subsequent concentration through multiple effect evaporators (MEE), and utilization of concentrated effluent for biocomposting of pressmud (another by-product of the industry) for production of biomanure contributes to the elimination of effluent discharges.     

东部油田采出污水处理的长远对策

从综合治理，合理利用采出污水的长远利益出发，针对东部油田高含水阶段的新特点，提出地面高效处理，地下控水稳油相结合的治理策略，探讨了相关的技术和方法，并讨论了采出污水回注利用中应加强研究的几个问题。     

基于DEA技术的污水处理定价模型

应用DEA方法评价污水处理厂相对效率，并将评价结果用于污水处理定价，得到了基于DEA方法的污水处理定价模型。该模型克服了现有定价模型的不足，体现了政府对污水处理厂生产效率的要求，能够促使企业提高效率并降低成本。