Comparison of simple, small, full-scale sewage treatment systems in Brazil: UASB–maturation ponds–coarse filter; UASB–horizontal subsurface-flow wetland; vertical-flow wetland (first stage of French system)

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. von Sperling
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Subsurface Flow ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Plant Management ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Vertical Flow ◽  
Coarse Filter ◽  
Horizontal Subsurface Flow

This paper presents a comparison between three simple sewage treatment lines involving natural processes: (a) upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor–three maturation ponds in series–coarse rock filter; (b) UASB reactor–horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetland; and (c) vertical-flow constructed wetlands treating raw sewage (first stage of the French system). The evaluation was based on several years of practical experience with three small full-scale plants receiving the same influent wastewater (population equivalents of 220, 60 and 100 inhabitants) in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The comparison included interpretation of concentrations and removal efficiencies based on monitoring data (organic matter, solids, nitrogen, phosphorus, coliforms and helminth eggs), together with an evaluation of practical aspects, such as land and volume requirements, sludge production and handling, plant management, clogging and others. Based on an integrated evaluation of all aspects involved, it is worth emphasizing that each system has its own specificities, and no generalization can be made on the best option. The overall conclusion is that the three lines are suitable for sewage treatment in small communities in warm-climate regions.

Performance and behaviour of planted and unplanted units of a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland system treating municipal effluent from a UASB reactor

2013 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 1495-1502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jocilene Ferreira da Costa ◽  
André Cordeiro de Paoli ◽  
Martin Seidl ◽  
Marcos von Sperling
Keyword(s):  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Subsurface Flow ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Filter Medium ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Horizontal Subsurface Flow

A system composed of two horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands operating in parallel was evaluated for the post-treatment of UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) reactor effluent, for a population equivalent of 50 inhabitants per unit. One unit was planted with cattail (Typha latifolia) and the other was unplanted. The study was undertaken over a period of 4 years, comprising monitoring of influent and effluent constituents together with a full characterization of the behaviour of the units (tracer studies, mathematical modelling of chemical oxygen demand (COD) decay, characterization of solids in the filter medium). The mean value of the surface hydraulic load was 0.11 m3m−2d−1, and the theoretical hydraulic retention time was 1.1 d in each unit. Using tracer tests with 82Br, dispersion number (d) values of 0.084 and 0.079 for the planted and unplanted units were obtained, indicating low to moderate dispersion. The final effluent had excellent quality in terms of organic matter and suspended solids, but the system showed low capacity for nitrogen removal. Four-year mean effluent concentration values from the planted and unplanted units were, respectively: biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5): 25 and 23 mg L−1; COD: 50 and 55 mg L−1; total suspended solids (TSS): 9 and 9 mg L−1; N-ammonia: 27 and 28 mg L−1. The COD decay coefficient K for the traditional plug-flow model was 0.81 and 0.84 d−1 for the planted and unplanted units. Around 80% of the total solids present in the filter medium were inorganic, and most of them were present in the interstices rather than attached to the support medium. As an overall conclusion, horizontal subsurface flow wetlands can be a very suitable post-treatment method for municipal effluents from anaerobic reactors.

Performance evaluation of planted and unplanted subsurface-flow constructed wetlands for the post-treatment of UASB reactor effluents

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 3025-3033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipe Lima Dornelas ◽  
Matheus Boechat Machado ◽  
Marcos von Sperling
Keyword(s):  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Subsurface Flow ◽  
Typha Latifolia ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Horizontal Subsurface Flow ◽  
Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Belo Horizonte

A system comprised by a UASB (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket) reactor followed by two horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands in parallel was evaluated for the treatment of the wastewater generated in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil (50 inhabitants each unit). One unit was planted (Typha latifolia) and the other was unplanted. Influent and effluent samples were collected for a period of seven months. The systems were able to produce final effluents with low concentrations of organic matter and suspended solids, but showed not to be efficient in the removal of nutrients. Mean effluent concentrations for the planted and unplanted units were, respectively: BOD: 15 and 19 mg/L; COD: 42 and 64 mg/L; TSS: 3 and 5 mg/L; TN: 27 and 33 mg/L; N-NH3: 25 and 29 mg/L; P Total: 1.2 and 1.5 mg/L. The planted wetland presented effluent concentrations and removal efficiencies significantly (Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, 5% significance level) better than the unplanted unit for most constituents. The study shows that horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands can be effectively used as a post-treatment option for the effluent from UASB reactors.

Impact of microaeration bioreactor on dissolved sulfide and methane removal from real UASB effluent for sewage treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (9) ◽  
pp. 1951-1960 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Cabral ◽  
A. L. Sanson ◽  
R. J. C. F. Afonso ◽  
C. A. L. Chernicharo ◽  
J. C. Araújo
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Sulfide Removal ◽  
Dissolved Sulfide ◽  
Removal Efficiencies ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge Blanket

Abstract Two bioreactors were investigated as an alternative for the post-treatment of effluent from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating domestic sewage, aiming at dissolved sulfide and methane removal. The bioreactors (R-control and R-air) were operated at different hydraulic retention times (HRT; 6 and 3 h) with or without aeration. Large sulfide and methane removal efficiencies were achieved by the microaerated reactor at HRT of 6 h. At this HRT, sulfide removal efficiencies were equal to 61% and 79%, and methane removal efficiencies were 31% and 55% for R-control and R-air, respectively. At an HRT of 3 h, sulfide removal efficiencies were 22% (R-control) and 33% (R-air) and methane removal did not occur. The complete oxidation of sulfide, with sulfate formation, prevailed in both phases and bioreactors. However, elemental sulfur formation was more predominant at an HRT of 6 h than at an HRT of 3 h. Taken together, the results show that post-treatment improved the anaerobic effluent quality in terms of chemical oxygen demand and solids removal. However, ammoniacal nitrogen was not removed due to either the low concentration of air provided or the absence of microorganisms involved in the nitrogen cycle.

scholarly journals Constraints, performance and perspectives of anaerobic sewage treatment: lessons from full-scale sewage treatment plants in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 418-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Bressani-Ribeiro ◽  
L. A. Chamhum-Silva ◽  
C. A. L. Chernicharo
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Anaerobic Reactors ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Operational Constraints ◽  
Uasb Reactors ◽  
Design Construction

Abstract There are hundreds of full-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors in operation in various parts of the tropical world, notably in India and Latin America, Brazil being the holder of the largest park of anaerobic reactors for sewage treatment in the world. Despite the recognized advantages of UASB reactors, there are problems that have prevented their maximum operational performance. Neglecting the existence and delaying the solution of these challenges can jeopardize the important advances made to date, impacting the future of anaerobic technology in Brazil and in other countries. This work aims to evaluate the operational performance of five full-scale UASB reactors in Brazil, taking into account a monitoring period ranging between two and six years. The main observed design, construction, and operational constraints are discussed. Some outlooks for important upcoming developments are also provided, considering that most of the observed drawbacks can be tackled without significant increases on reactor costs.

Performance of UASB based sewage treatment plant in India: polishing by diffusers an alternative

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 680-688 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Walia ◽  
P. Kumar ◽  
I. Mehrotra
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Total Coliform ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Detention Ponds ◽  
One Year

In India, recently, upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) based sewage treatment plants (STPs) have come up in a big way. Sequence adopted: screens- grit chambers- UASB reactors followed by one-day detention ponds (DP). Performance of DPs located at five STPs (27–70 ML/d) was evaluated over a period of one year from July 2004 to July 2005. The installation of these non-algal ponds reduced land requirement, but from treatment point of view it at best offered only removal of solids washed out of the UASB reactor. Total coliform count in the effluent from ponds ranging from 106 to 109 MPN/100 mL is more than the maximum permissible limit of 10,000 MPN/100 mL. A need has, therefore, been felt to evaluate the possibility of aerating the effluent from UASBR. During aeration, ORP and DO increase, whereas COD and BOD decrease. In a continuous aeration ~50% reduction in COD and nearly 50% increase in DO saturation (DO/DOs) can be achieved by increasing ORP from −100 to 122 mV. Regression equation established between ORP and COD/CODi & DO/DOs may find wide application.

Low temperature treatment of domestic sewage in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket and anaerobic hybrid reactors

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 177-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarek A. Elmitwalli ◽  
Marcel H. Zandvoort ◽  
Grietje Zeeman ◽  
Harry Bruning ◽  
Gatze Lettinga
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Anaerobic Treatment ◽  
Domestic Sewage ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Removal Efficiencies

The treatment of sewage at a temperature of 13°C was investigated in three reactors (each 3.84 litre) a UASB and two anaerobic hybrid (AH) reactors with small sludge granules with an average diameter of 0.73 mm. The media used in the AH reactors were vertical polyurethane foam sheets. The reactors were operated at a HRT of 8 h. The use of small sludge granules and operating the reactors at low upflow velocity (1.8 m/d) improved suspended COD removal efficiencies for the UASB reactor. Moreover, the use of sheets in the AH reactors significantly increased suspended COD removal efficiencies as compared to the UASB and reached to 87% for pre-settled sewage treatment. The treatment of pre-settled sewage instead of raw sewage in AH reactors significantly increased colloidal and dissolved COD removal efficiencies with 13% and 12% respectively and colloidal COD removal efficiency for the UASB reactor with 13%. At ‘steady state’ for pre-settled sewage treatment, the AH reactors removed 64% of the total COD which is significantly higher by 4% than the UASB reactor. Therefore, the anaerobic treatment of domestic sewage at low temperature can be improved by treating pre-settled sewage in shallow AH reactors containing small sludge granules.

Association of a UASB reactor and a submerged aerated biofilter for domestic sewage treatment

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 189-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Franci Gonçalves ◽  
Vera Lúcia de Araújo ◽  
Carlos Augusto L. Chernicharo
Keyword(s):  
Granular Media ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Domestic Sewage ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Hydraulic Load ◽  
Reactor Operating ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge Blanket

This paper presents exploratory results on the association of an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket - UASB reactor (46 L) and a submerged aerated biofilter – BF (6.3 L) for domestic sewage treatment. The experimental period extended for 322 days, during which the hydraulic and organic loads were gradually increased in both reactors. Having the UASB as a reference, the following hydraulic loads were tested: 0.4 m3/m2.h (θ = 16 h); 0.6m3/m2.h (θ = 10h); 0.8 m3/m2.h (θ = 8 h); 1.0 m3/m2.h (θ = 6 h) and 1.45 m3/m2.h (θ = 4h). During the experiments carried out with the UASB reactor operating at a hydraulic detention time of 6 hours, related to a θ < 11′ in the granular media of the BF, the mean removal efficiency in terms of SS, BOD5 and COD, in both reactors, were respectively 94%, 96% and 91%. The final effluent, related to the BF effluent, presented the following mean characteristics: SS = 10 mg/L, BOD5 = 9 mg/L and COD = 38 mg/L. The results obtained in the last phase of the experiments, when the hydraulic load in the UASB reactor reached 1.45 m3/m2.h (θ = 4h), were similar to those obtained in the previous phase. These results demonstrate that submerged aerated biofilters can be considered a viable alternative for the post-treatment of effluents from UASB reactors treating domestic sewage. These reactors are capable of being operated with very short hydraulic detention times.

scholarly journals Performance of UASB Post Treatment Technologies for Sewage Treatment in Surat City

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 1352-1359
Author(s):  
Nimeshchandra Vasanji Vashi ◽  
Navinchandra Champaklal Shah ◽  
Kishor Ratilal Desai
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Treated Sewage

Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) process is a popular process for treatment of sewage in India due to its low power requirement. However, UASB system has many limitations in terms of removal of carbon, nutrients and pathogens. This requires post treatment after UASB to meet the treated water quality standards. Current treatment processes adopted for the post-treatment of anaerobically treated sewage, especially the full-scale UASB reactors in Surat, India are presented. Two full scale treatment plants with different UASB post treatment processes viz., Extended Aeration and Moving Bed Biological Reactor (MBBR) are selected for studies. A pilot study was carried out in a full scale Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to study the performance of Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) for treatment of UASB treated sewage and the results are reported for period of Three months. Inlet and outlet parameters such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), etc. for post UASB biological process are presented. The performance of the SBR process was observed to be better among all the processes studied.

Evaluation of sludge properties in a pilot-scale UASB reactor for sewage treatment in a temperate region

2011 ◽  
Vol 64 (10) ◽  
pp. 1959-1966 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Syutsubo ◽  
W. Yoochatchaval ◽  
I. Tsushima ◽  
N. Araki ◽  
K. Kubota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Methanogenic Activity ◽  
Working Volume ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge Blanket

In this study, continuous operation of a pilot-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for sewage treatment was conducted for 630 days to investigate the physical and microbial characteristics of the retained sludge. The UASB reactor with a working volume of 20.2 m3 was operated at ambient temperature (16–29 °C) and seeded with digested sludge. After 180 days of operation, when the sewage temperature had dropped to 20 °C or lower, the removal efficiency of both total suspended solids (TSS) and total biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) deteriorated due to washout of retained sludge. At low temperature, the cellulose concentration of the UASB sludge increased owing to the rate limitation of the hydrolytic reaction of suspended solids in the sewage. However, after an improvement in sludge retention (settleability and concentration) in the UASB reactor, the process performance stabilized and gave sufficient results (68% of TSS removal, 75% of total BOD removal) at an hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 9.7 h. The methanogenic activity of the retained sludge significantly increased after day 246 due to the accumulation of Methanosaeta and Methanobacterium following the improvement in sludge retention in the UASB reactor. Acid-forming bacteria from phylum Bacteroidetes were detected at high frequency; thus, these bacteria may have an important role in suspended solids degradation.

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