ABSTRACT
This paper presents the results of a comparison of the performance of two treatment systems operating in parallel, with the same influent wastewater. The investigated systems are (i) UASB + three polishing ponds in series + coarse filter (200 population equivalents) and (ii) UASB + subsurface flow constructed wetlands (50 population equivalents). Two wetland units, operating in parallel, were analysed, being one planted (Typha latifolia) and the other unplanted. The systems were located in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The wetland systems showed to be more efficient in the removal of organic matter and suspended solids, leading to good effluent BOD and COD concentrations and excellent SS concentrations. The planted wetland performed better than the unplanted unit, but the latter was also able to provide a good effluent quality. The polishing pond system was more efficient in the removal of nitrogen (ammonia) and coliforms (E. coli). Land requirements and cost considerations are presented.
Subject(s)
Bioreactors , Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods , Water Purification/methods , Ammonia/chemistry , Biodegradation, Environmental , Brazil , Cities , Equipment Design , Filtration , Fresh Water , Nitrates/chemistry , Typhaceae/metabolism , Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification , Water Supply , WetlandsABSTRACT
Ammonia and phosphorus removal were evaluated over four years monitoring of an experimental wastewater treatment plant in Brazil: initially a UASB reactor (real scale) + three shallow polishing ponds (pilot scale), afterwards a UASB + submerged aerated biofilter (BF) (real scale) + the same pond series. Shallow ponds (h < 0.90 m) provided considerable ammonia removal, but phosphorus removal was somewhat poorer. An equation was derived for the estimation of ammonia pond effluent, based on the same assumptions of the well known Pano and Middlebrooks model. According to the experimental data, an effluent suitable for aquaculture should be achieved with retention time of 25 days.
