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SUB TOPIC: BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT: TRICKLING FILTER
Learning Outcomes
In this lesson should be answered the following questions:
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INTRODUCTION
This is a common method used in sewage treatment plant and to treat acetaldehyde, acetic acid,
benzene, chlorinated hydrocarbon, cyanides, formaldehydes, ketones and resins. Trickling filter is
generally effective for aqueous waste where concentration are less than 1%. As with all biological
treatment, it requires stable, consistent operating conditions.It isn’t suitable for highly chlorinated
organics, aliphatics, amines and aromatic compounds. Heavy metals and organic chemicals may kill
the microorganisms. Heavy metals and non‐biodegradable organics may also concentrate in the
sludge. Hydrogen sulphide gas may also be released.
WHAT IS TRICKLING FILTERS (TF)?
TF units consists of circular tank filled with packed bed of media ( crushed rock or synthetic media,
in depth from 1 to 2.5m or 10m if synthetic packing is used. The media is covered with slime
growth ( a film of aerobic microorganism‐ active microbial film, biomass, consisting primarily of
bacteria, protozoa and fungi, coat the surface of the filter media. The liquid waste is sprayed over
the bed and the microorganism act on the contaminant as they pass through the filter thus organic
matter present in the waste is removed by biological film. The bottom of the tank must be
constructed rigid enough to support the packing and also designed to collect the treated
wastewater which is either sprayed by regularly spaced nozzles or by rotating distribution arms.
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TOPIC : Page 2 of 6
BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT Kod Kurses :ENV501
TRICKLING FILTER
Semester :JUL‐ NOV 2009
Nama Pensyarah : NAZRI CHE DOM
As wastewater passes through the filter, nutrients and oxygen diffuse into the growth or, where
assimilation occurs, by products and CO2 diffuse out into the flowing liquid. As oxygen diffuses into
the biological film, it is consumed by microbial respiration, so that defined depth of aerobic activity
is developed. Slime below this depth is anaerobic. Increased anaerobic activity near the surface may
liquefy the film in contact with media resulting in sloughing or falling down of the old film and a
growth of a new film. The sloughed solids are separated in a secondary settling tank and a part of
these may be recirculated in the system.
OPERATION OF A TRICKLING FILTER
For maximum efficiency, nourishment should be supplied continuously by recirculating, if
necessary, the treated wastewater, settle sludge or both. Oxygen is provided by the dissolved
oxygen in influent wastewater, recirculated wastewater and from the circulating through the
interstices between the media to maintain aerobic condition. The need of recirculation is dictated
by the strength of the wastewater and the rate of oxygen transfer to the biomass. Typically,
recirculation is used when BOD of the wastewater to be treated exceeds 500 mg/l
Trickling filter are generally calsiffied with respect to the application rate of the organic and
hydraulic loading as low rate, high rate and roughing filters. The process may be further
categorized by media type, depth, number of stages, mode of distribution, and or dosing frequency.
Standard Rate and High Rate Trickling filter
Classification of trickling filters is usually based on organic and hydraulic loadings. Standard rate
filters see a hydraulic loading of 25 – 100 gpd/ft2 and organic loading of 15 – 30 Ibs
BOD/day/1,000ft3. Loading greater than this will put the filter into the high rate category. Generally
the higher the loading the lower the treatment ( lower BOD removal). The higher the organic
loading the faster the biomass growthto a point. Nitrification usually occurs in the standard rate
system.
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BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT Kod Kurses :ENV501
TRICKLING FILTER
Semester :JUL‐ NOV 2009
Nama Pensyarah : NAZRI CHE DOM
Low rate Trickling Filter
A typical low rate trickling filter will have rock media with wastewater application by a rotary
distributor. Most of the BOD removal is accomplished in the upper three feet.
Influent Effluent
Primary Low Rate Secondary
clarifier Trickling clarifier
Filter
Raw sludge Waste sludge
High rate Trickling Filter
Recirculation can be used to increase hydraulic loading. The high rate trickling will accept higher
organic loading. There is a continuous sloughing of excess biological growth. The higher organic
load precludes the development of nitrifying bacteria in the filter bed. The media are composed of
large rock or synthetic products.
Recirculation
Alternate
Influent Effluent
Primary High Rate Secondary
clarifier Trickling clarifier
Filter
Alternate
Waste sludge
Raw sludge
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BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT Kod Kurses :ENV501
TRICKLING FILTER
Semester :JUL‐ NOV 2009
Nama Pensyarah : NAZRI CHE DOM
Synthetic Media
Synthetic media in a trickling filter system results in a greater surface area available for biological
growth per cubic foot of filter volume. Because of the low weight of synthetic media, filters can be
built 40 ft and higher. The result is the ability to handle greater loadings.
High Void Ratio
Void ratio refers to the physical opening in the media for water and solids to pass. A higher void
ratio allows for a greater hydraulic loading and makes the media less susceptible to plugging. Void
fraction ensure a good circulation of air.
Oxygen transfer and detention time
The design of synthetic media ( especially crossflow) provides for greater turbulence at the surface
of the media. This greater turbulence promotes oxygen transfer.
The greater the surface are per cubic foot of media, the longer it takes for the water to “trickle”
through the filter. Synthetic media with 25 – 75 ft2/ft3 provide long detention times.
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BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT Kod Kurses :ENV501
TRICKLING FILTER
Semester :JUL‐ NOV 2009
Nama Pensyarah : NAZRI CHE DOM
The principle measurement for media are specific surface area ( area / unit volume)and percent
void space. Organic loadings are directly related to the specific surface area available for biological
growth for waste treatment. High void spaces permit increased hydraulic loadings and increased
oxygen transfer or uptake.
In order to achieve the greatest benefits (e.g., cost and land area) of high organic and hydraulic
loading over a conventional rock system, molded or other forms of plastic and other durable,
insoluble and uniformly sized media (such as redwood blocks or laths, hav e been developed and
are more prevalent in newer installation.
Continuous flow to the trickling filter media is important for the higher rated system using plastic
media. Flow is applied to the trickling filter by fixed nozzles or rotating distributor arms. Generally,
a fixed nozzles system is found an older and/or smaller units and is accomplished by a dosing
siphon. Dosing siphon are rarely used in new design and are limited to low rate filter. Fixed nozzles
are used sometimes with roughing filter. For the same hydraulic loading rate, the fixed nozzles
systems has a lower shear velocity on the attrached growth.
The rotating distributor system is most frequently used because of its reliability and ease of
maintenance. The rotary distributor consists of two or four arms with the reaction force of the
spray along the arms, providing the rotating forces for the assesmbly. Varying design formulation
have been developed for the trickling filter. The applicability of each varies with factors as medium,
wastewater types and recirculation among others. Pilot tests offer specific means to evaluate design
performance. The effect of temperature must be considered, as treatment performance declines
markedly when the wastewater temperature is below 50ºF to 59ºF.
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TOPIC : Page 6 of 6
BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT Kod Kurses :ENV501
TRICKLING FILTER
Semester :JUL‐ NOV 2009
Nama Pensyarah : NAZRI CHE DOM
Advantages of TF Systems
• Simplicity of operation
• Resistance to shock loads
• Low sludge yield
• Low power requirements
Disadvantages of TF systems
• Relatively low BOD removal (85%)
• High suspended solids in the effluent (20 – 30 mg/l)
• Little operational control
• Require a lot space – add operational cost
• Biological activity / degrading capacity much reduced at low temperature
• Presence of toxic substances may kill microorganism.