Performance and surface clogging in intermittently loaded and slow sand filters containing novel media. (15th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grace, Maebh A.; Healy, Mark G.; Clifford, Eoghan
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 180(2016)
• Page Start: 102
• Page End: 110
• Publication Date: 2016-09-15
• Subjects: Clogging mechanism -- Water purification -- Fly ash -- Bayer residue; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.05.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Slow sand filers are commonly used in water purification processes. However, with the emergence of new contaminants and concern over removing precursors to disinfection by-products, as well as traditional contaminants, there has recently been a focus on technology improvements to result in more effective and targeted filtration systems. The use of new media has attracted attention in terms of contaminant removal, but there have been limited investigations on the key issue of clogging. The filters constructed for this study contained stratified layers comprising combinations of Bayer residue, zeolite, fly ash, granular activated carbon, or sand, dosed with a variety of contaminants (total organic carbon (TOC), aluminium (Al), ammonium (NH4 + -N), nitrate (NO3 − -N) and turbidity). Their performance and clogging mechanisms were compared to sand filters, which were also operated under two different loading regimes (continuous and intermittently loaded). The study showed that the novel filter configurations achieved up to 97% Al removal, 71% TOC removal, and 88% NH4 + -N removal in the best-performing configuration, although they were not as effective as sand in terms of permeability. Deconstruction of the filters revealed that the main clogging mechanism was organic matter build-up at the uppermost layer of the filters. The clogging layer formed more quickly on the surface of the novel media when compared to the sand filters, but extended further into the sand filters, the extent dependent on the loading regime. The study shows the potential for an alternative filtration configuration, harnessing the adsorption potential of industrial waste products and natural media. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Reuse of waste and industrial by products for novel water filtration Filter deconstruction quantifies permeability and organic matter build up Flow regimes have a big impact on the extent of clogging of sand filters TOC, NH4 + -N and Al are successfully reduced using two novel designs