Sequential Application of Plastic Media-Trickling Filter and Sand Filter for Domestic Wastewater Treatment at Low Temperature Condition
Abdul Rehman
Department of Microbiology, Microbiology Research Laboratory, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
Iffat Naz *
Department of Microbiology, Microbiology Research Laboratory, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
Zia Ullah Khan
Department of Microbiology, Microbiology Research Laboratory, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
Muhammad Rafiq
Department of Microbiology, Microbiology Research Laboratory, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
Naeem Ali
Department of Microbiology, Microbiology Research Laboratory, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
Safia Ahmad
Department of Microbiology, Microbiology Research Laboratory, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Present research was aimed towards designing and construction of efficient plastic media-trickling filter (TF) for the treatment of domestic wastewater. The hydraulic flow rate through the TF was maintained at 80±2 ml/min at a temperature range of 5-15ºC by selecting treatment time of 12, 24, 36 and 48 hrs. Parameters like COD, BOD5, TSS, turbidity, NO3, NO2, SO4, PO4 and pathogenic indicator microbes were monitored after treatment of 12, 24, 36 and 48 hrs. The efficiency of the TF was improved with increase of time from 12 to 48 hrs. Maximum efficiency of TF was observed after 48 hrs treatment viz. 93.45, 93, 86.25, 57.8, 63.15, 25, 32.43, 99.95 and 86.3% reduction from the zero time value for BOD5, COD, TSS, PO4, SO4, NO3, NO2, turbidity and fecal coliforms respectively. Finally 48 hrs treated sample was passed through sand filter (SF) for further final polishing and approximately, 95.72, 95, 100, 73.5, 65.8, 58.3, 37.83, 100 and 91.5% reduction in BOD5, COD, TSS, PO4, SO4, NO3, NO2, turbidity and fecal coliforms was observed. This study showed that plastic media-trickling filter along with sand filter is a promising technology for wastewater treatment and can be scaled up for small communities in the developing countries.
Keywords: Trickling filter, domestic wastewater, BOD5, COD, plastic media