Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater in Biofilters with Biochar Augmented Geomedium: Effect of Biochar Particle Size. Issue 7 (14th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: El Hanandeh, Ali; Albalasmeh, Ammar A.; Gharaibeh, Mamoun
• Is Part Of: Clean. Volume 45:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-06-14
• Subjects: Biochar -- Biofiltration -- Particle size -- Phosphorus removal -- Wastewater treatment; Water quality -- Periodicals; Water -- Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Sewage -- Periodicals; Water chemistry -- Periodicals; 333.7205
• DOI: 10.1002/clen.201600123
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1863-0650

Abstract

Abstract : The use of biochar as a filter medium amendment has shown potential for removing organic and inorganic pollutants from wastewater. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of biochar particle size on: (i) removal efficiency of total phosphorus (TP) from wastewater; (ii) stability of the system under overloading and flooding conditions; and (iii) desorption potential of phosphorus from the filtration medium under inundation conditions. Biochar was prepared in two different sizes: fine and coarse with a mean diameter size of 0.31 and 0.49 mm, respectively. Two treatments using sand augmented with 8% by weight fine biochar (sand–FBC) and sand augmented with 8% by weight coarse biochar (sand–CBC) were tested. The TP removal efficiency of sand–CBC was 10% higher than sand–FBC medium. The average removal efficiencies were 83.3 ± 3.2 and 75.7 ± 7.4% for sand–CBC and sand–FBC media, respectively. Positive correlations between TP load and removal efficiencies were observed. All treatments showed resilience to overloading, flooding, and inundation conditions. Abstract : Treated wastewater in Jordan has high phosphorus concentration, which needs further treatment before final discharge. Local olive processing waste is used to produce biochar in two different sizes. Laboratory scale biofilters with filtration medium made out of a mixture of local sand and biochar are investigated. The medium using coarse size biochar is 10% more effective in removing phosphorus than that using fine size biochar.