A Seminar Paper
By:
May 2017
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
May, 2017
The objective of this sutdy is to design a feasible treatment plant in treating groundwater
using trickling filter by the removal of soluble nitrogen and phosphorus to meet the required
parameters for groundwater by Philippine Nastional Standards for Drinking Water. Discussion
and the process calculations are also indicated.
Truly yours,
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Letter of Transmittal i
Table of Contents ii
Chapter I INTRODUCTION 1
B. Environmental Impacts 2
C. Key Components 8
1. Distribution System 9
2. Filter Media 9
3. Underdrain 9
4. Ventilation 10
5. Domes 10
ii
2. Intermediate Rate Filter 12
4. Roughing Filter 12
21
1. Hydraulic Loading 16
2. Mass Transport 16
3. Depth 16
4. Cross-Section Area 16
5. Void Ratio 16
B. Design Parameters 18
A. Summary 30
B. Conclusion 31
iii
REFERENCES 31
iv
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.1. Summary of Parameters for Philippine Water Quality Standards ....................................... 3
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1. The components used as part of modern trickling filter systems ....................................... 8
v
Chapter I
Introduction
The Philippines obtains its water supply from different sources. These include:
rainfall, surface water resources, i.e. rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, and groundwater
the most important component and constitutes about two thirds of the freshwater
resources of the world and accounts for nearly all usable freshwater (Verangel, 2016).
safe.
of factors such as the quality of the infiltrating water, the interaction with the percolated
solid layers, redox conditions, temperature and microbial activity (Hema, 2016).
degrading on the increase amount of fertilizer intrusion could also degrade drinking
water.
In trickling filters which are packed bed reactors, the effluent flows downward
thus trickling on the surface area of the packed bed particles whereas the organic and
nutrients are assimilated by the biomass growing on the packed bed media. This is the
basic principle underlying the high water treatability of this biological treatment method.
1
Trickling filters, trickling bio filters and tower filtration technologies are regarded as
mechanical or energy demanding equipment and does not require much human
Trickling filters also encourage oxygenation and removal of carbon dioxide from the
water which is important in the case of using the treated effluent for aquaculture (Habte,
2014).
This paper aims to design a trickling filter in removing nitrogen and phosphorus
content of groundwater.
The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 defines water quality as the
characteristics of water that define its use and measured in terms of physical,
use. A number of ambient standards for measuring water quality have been
34, issued in 1990, includes classifications for both surface and coastal water. For
each classification, current beneficial use (e.g., drinking water, etc.) is given. It also
contains water quality criteria for each class appropriate to the designated beneficial
use.
2
Table 1.1. Summary of Parameters for Philippine Water Quality Standards
Temperature(oC) NA
EC (µS/cm) NA
TSS (mg/L) NA
TS (mg/L) NA
DO (mg/L) NA
BOD (mg/L) NA
COD (mg/ L) NA
Nitrate (mg/L) 50
Nitrite (mg/L) 3
Phosphorus (mg/L) NA
Potassium (mg/L) NA
1.2.Environmental Impacts
fertilizers and organic fertilizers such as animal manures and crop residues. Because
excess nutrients can move below the root zone, managing plant nutrients is an
3
Due to the intensive use of chemical fertilizer and water in agriculture, this leads
to both higher production cost and greater risk of environmental pollution. High
application rates of water and NPK fertilizer lead to excessive leaching of them,
make up 98 per cent of the earth’s available freshwater. Put another way,
groundwater is 60 times as plentiful as freshwater found in all of the earth’s lakes and
streams combined.
(biochemical oxygen demand) and COD (chemical oxygen demand) and at the same
time the nitrogen and phosphorus content of groundwater, meeting the desired
Water
4
Table 1.2. Physico-chemical parameters of Groundwater Samples (Venkatramanan,2010)
Concentration in mg/L
Postmonsoon Summer Premonsoon
Min Max Ave Min Max Ave Min Max Ave
pH 6.9 7.8 7.3 7.3 7.8 7.6 7.3 7.7 7.5
913. 7419. 3666. 859. 5540. 3297. 5699.
EC(µs/cm) 4 6 7 2 9 9 750.1 7 2824.6
584. 4748. 2230. 549. 3546. 480.0 3647.
TDS(mg/L) 5 5 5 9 2 2127 6 8 2824.6
Calcium 1 17 7.6 0.6 10.3 4.6 0.05 0.85 0.38
Magnesium 1.2 12.8 5.1 1 10.6 4.5 0.35 8.29 3.32
Sodium 2.2 48.1 19.2 1.6 51.3 21 1 41.81 15.86
Potassium 0.2 8.5 4 0.2 9.6 3.8 0.35 5.51 2.46
Bicarbonate 2.6 10.6 6 3.1 7.5 5.2 2.56 6.62 4.64
Sulphate 2.4 20.5 12.4 2.2 19.8 12.6 2.92 17.7 9.7
Chloride 5.3 51.9 21.8 6.2 32.2 18.7 5.24 42.77 18.76
Nitrate 7.3 19.3 12 5.5 12.3 9.6 6.5 12.03 9.54
5
Chapter II
Process Description
settled wastewater. They function to remove dissolved organics and finely divided
organic solids using microorganisms attached to the media. The growth on the media
bacteria and other microorganisms on the media. The biological growth of these
organisms uses the dissolved organic material in the presence of oxygen as a food source.
This produces cell mass. Finely divided organic solids are also adsorbed on the cell walls
of the microorganisms.
As cell mass grows a portion is sloughed-off and this material is then removed by
settling in a final clarifier. As with all biologic type secondary treatment systems,
wastewater soluble BOD, and suspended solids (SS) are converted to a settleable biologic
Some advantages and disadvantages of TFs are listed below (EPA, 2000).
Advantages
6
Suitable in areas where large tracts of land are not available for land intensive
treatment systems.
medium used.
Moderate level of skill and technical expertise needed to manage and operate the
system.
Disadvantages
hydraulic dosage rate, type of media, type of organic matter, temperature and
7
Vector and odor problems.
Snail problems.
2.3.Key Components
Figure 2.1. The components used as part of modern trickling filter systems
8
2.3.1. Distribution System
This system provides for even distribution of wastewater over the media.
Modern trickling filters commonly use rotary type distributors which consist of two
or more horizontal pipes suspended above the filter media. The horizontal pipes are
called distributor arms and rotate a few inches above the media, distributing
wastewater through the orifices in the arm. The distributor arms can be hydraulically
driven using the jet-like force of the wastewater flowing out of the orifices to allow
have been the dominant media choice for constructing new filters or upgrading older
rock filters ever since. The weight of the plastic media is only from two to three
percent of the rock media, and the surface area for microorganism growth is from two
to four times greater. The void ratio of plastic media is also much higher, which
promotes ventilation and can often provide a doubling in treatment capacity versus
2.3.3. Underdrain
9
Conventional underdrains can be constructed with concrete piers or beams.
2.3.4. Ventilation
The BOD removal and nitrification in a trickling filter are aerobic processes
that rely on sufficient air flow for optimal performance. Older open trickling filters
rely on natural draft for ventilation, using gradients in humidity and temperature
2.3.5. Domes
loss in the winter months and control odor. In domed systems, low pressure
Trickling filters are classified on the basis of their hydraulic and organic loads.
They may be classified as low or standard, intermediate, high, or super high rate (Table
3).
10
Parameter Low or Intermediate High Rate Super High Roughing
Standard Rate Rate
Rate
Media Stone Stone Stone Plastic Stone/Plastic
Organic Loading* 0.08 – 0.4 0.24 – 0.4 0.4 – 4.8 To 4.8 >1.6 to 3.2
(kg BOD5/m3/d)
Hydraulic Loading 0.04 – 0.15 0.15 – 0.4 0.4 – 1.5 0.6 – 3.6* 2.5 – 7.0*
(m3/m2/h)
Recirculation Minimum Usually Always Usually Not
(%) or it does generally
not exist required
Sloughing Intermittent It varies Continuous Continuous Continuous
Depth (m) 1.8 – 2.4 1.8 – 2.4 0.9 – 2.4 Up to 12 0.9 – 6
BOD removal 80 - 85 50 - 70 65 - 85 65 - 85 40 - 65
**
(%)
Effluent quality Well- Some Limited Limited No
nitrified nitrification nitrification nitrification nitrification
*
It does not include circulation.
**
Including secondary sedimentation.
Table 2.1. Classical typologies of trickling filters (Adapted from WEF 2000; WEF-ASCE
1992,1998)
Standard rate trickling filters are normally designed for hydraulic ratings of
1.1 to 4.3 m3/m2/d and organic loadings of 0.08 to 0.41 kg BOD/m3/d. These filters
are normally 1.8 to 2.4 m deep and rectangular or circular in shape. They are usually
The interval between dosing will vary with the rate of wastewater flow, but should be
short enough to prevent filter growths from becoming dry. Some recirculation may
become necessary to achieve this. During normal operation, a thick growth develops
in the filter until a temperature change or the flow through the filter causes a large
portion to slough off. This sloughing usually occurs in the spring or fall and is known
as “unloading.”
11
2.4.2. Intermediate Rate Filter
recirculation. In the past, there have been some cases in which the organic loading in
the intermediate range stimulated considerable biological filter growth and the
hydraulic loading was not sufficient to eliminate clogging of the trickling filter
medium. Other plants operating in this range have had few operational problems. In
some cases, intermediate rate filters are actually under loaded high rate filters.
High rate filters are normally designed for substantially higher loadings than
are standard rate units. A filter receives a BOD loading from 0.4 to 4.8 kg BOD/m3/d.
These filters are usually 0.9 to 2.4 m deep and circular in shape. They are designed to
recirculating wastewater that has already passed through the filter, and the heavy flow
of wastewater over the filter medium produces continuous rather than periodic
sloughing of the filter growths. Because the solids are not retained in the high rate
filter as long as they are in the standard rate unit, they are less stable and continue to
exert BOD after they leave the filter. The solids are also much lighter and more
Roughing filters are basically high rate filters treating an organic load of more
than 1.6 kg BOD/m3/d. (It is not uncommon to load roughing filters at rates in excess
12
of 3.2 kg BOD/m3/d). In many cases, these filters are used to pre-treat the waste
before its feeding to an activated sludge plant. Most roughing filters designed today
The major differences between super and high rate filters are greater hydraulic
loadings and a much greater filter depth. Some super high rate filters are designed to
handle hydraulic loads of more than 162.3 m3/m2/d. Most of these filters are in the
form of packed towers with depths to 12 m. It is the use of synthetic media that
permits the high loading rates and greater filter depth. The microbial layer that grows
on the trickling filter media is the most important part of a trickling filter. The
organisms in the microbial layer feed on the pollutants in the sewage and convert
them to solids that will settle out of the sewage. As the microbial layer grows, a
13
Figure 2.2. Typical Trickling Filter (EPA, 2000)
14
Chapter 3
Hydraulic loading rates are very important design considerations for trickling.
The total influent flow rate per unit of biofilter cross sectional area is defined as the
hydraulic loading rate and is expressed as flow per unit area (m3/m2/d).
The relationship between filter performance and hydraulic loading should not
substrate influent concentration, increases in the hydraulic loading rate decreases the
percent substrate removed. For the same conditions, the mass substrate removal rate
increases (Grady and Lim, 1980). This is logical since, as the flow increases, the
residence time decreases in the filter and for a constant concentration, the mass of
Grady and Lim (1980) reported that one manufacturer of random packed
packed media (plastic pall rings). For design purposes, a MWR of 50 m3/m2/d is
considered safe.
nitrate, etc.) from bacterial cells is often a limiting factor in trickling filter
performance.
15
The significance of these transport processes is that flow rate of water through
Designs of trickling filters should strive for flow rates that are near the upper
irrigation rate, maximum flow rate in a filter before scouring of the biofilm occurs, so
3.1.3. Depth
filter is being placed and the weight of media. However, no good design information
is available for determining the most efficient depth. Presently, most designs consider
available area, weight of media, and costs for filter containers to determine filter
Cross sectional area of a biofilter is defined as the top area of the filter
container. For systems with multiple filters, the total cross sectional area is
determined by summing the individual areas. The cross sectional area is important in
Void ratio is the proportion of free space volume in a filter to the total filter
volume. In a trickling filter there are voids that are not filled in by the media. High
void ratios reduce clogging and allow for air to move more freely in the filter.
Remember, trickling filters work by allowing a thin film of water to flow across
media surfaces. Filters with low void ratios tend to interrupt this thin flow of water
16
3.1.6. Specific Surface Area
Specific surface area is defined as the surface area of a particular media per
unit volume. It is desirable to have a large specific surface area to minimize the
There are a wide variety of media types and sizes available for trickling filters.
These include rocks, sand, plastic media (designed for biofilters), packing materials,
and corrugated plastic shapes. Any material that is non-toxic to the bacteria and is
17
Bulk Specific Surface
Nominal Size Void
Media Density Area
Material m Space
Type Kg/m3 m2/m3
(ft) (%)
(lbs/ft3) (ft2/ft3)
Rock
0.024-0.076 1442 62
River 50
(0.08-0.25) (90) (19)
0.076-0.128 1600 46
Slag 60
(0.25-0.42) (100) (14)
Plastic
0.61x0.61x1.22 24-45 100 and 223
Cross flow (2x2x4) (1.5-2.8) (30, 48, and 68) 95
0.185øx0.051H 1600 98
Random (7.3”øx2”H) (100) (30) 95
Table 3.1. Properties of some filter media (Daigger and Boltz, 2011)
3.2.Design Parameters
Key design parameters are the organic load, the hydraulic load, the bed height and
the recirculation rate. The organic load is estimated by using (INDITEX, 2015):
QLo
Bv
V
18
Where:
Bv = organic (nitrate, phosphorus, COD, BOD and TSS) load applied per
OLR Lo HLR
Q
n
Qf
Where:
Qf
HLR
A
Where:
OLR Lo HLR
Where:
19
OLR = Organic loading rate (g/m2/d)
Where:
Af
Vf
SA
Where:
Q Lo
Area filter
S
Where:
20
The minimum bed height, H, required is given:
V
H
A
Lo L
% removal 100%
Lo
21
Chapter 4
Case Study
This section will show an example for the basic design of a trickling filter for a
groundwater treating system. Water quality requirements and design parameters are
conservative. The design example will be for a groundwater system containing 10000 m3.
Media Data
The type of media and its specific surface area will directly affect the filter
volume. Selection of the media should consider specific surface area, weight, void ratio,
cost per unit of surface area (not volume), availability, type of material, and durability.
Parameter Value
Water Requirements
Temperature(oC) NA
EC (µS/cm) NA
22
TDS (mg/L) 500
TSS (mg/L) NA
TS (mg/L) NA
DO (mg/L) NA
BOD (mg/L) NA
COD (mg/ L) NA
Nitrate (mg/L) 50
Nitrite (mg/L) 3
Phosphorus (mg/L) NA
Potassium (mg/L) NA
Design Calculations
23
Filter Volume
The volume of media needed is a function of the surface area required and the
Area of Filter
Volume media
Specific Surface Area of Media
20978.26 m 2
Volume media
220 m 2 / m3
Volume media 95.36 m3
The minimum hydraulic loading for a filter ensures that all media in the filter is
continually wetted, thus preventing bacteria from drying out. The maximum hydraulic
loading rate prevents scouring of bacteria from the media in a filter. For randomly
Total flow through the filter per day is the volume of the culture system
multiplied by the number of filter exchanges per day. It is desired to have at least 2
Organic Loading Rate Organic Influent Concentrat ion Hydraulic Loading Rate
mg
Organic Loading Rate 19.3 125 m3 / m 2 / d
L
Organic Loading Rate 4342.5 g / m 2 / d
24
Using a configuration to filter total system flow, assume 6 filters and then the
Volume of Media
Volume Filter
Number of Filter Units
95.36 m3
Volume Filter
6 units
Volume Filter = 15.89 m3 /d
The dimensions of each filter unit can be calculated from the maximum hydraulic
Assuming a cylindrical shape, the diameter of the cylinder for each filter unit
4 Area Cross-Sectional
D2
4 3.39
D2
D 2.078 m
Thus, if a diameter of 3.0 m is assumed, then the height of the filter unit is:
25
Volume of Filter Unit
Height
Area Cross-Sectional
15.89
Height
32
4
Height = 2.25 m
Height = 2.25 m
Diameter = 3.0 m
Volume = 15.89 m3
Use the same assumptions in 4.1. Assume phosphate concentration of 1.08 mg/L. The
Area of Filter
Volume media
Specific Surface Area of Media
8059.7 m 2
Volume media
220 m 2 / m3
Volume media 36.635 m3
26
Total Flow Rate Organic Concentrat ion
Organic Loading Rate
Volume of Bed
1758.48 m3 / d 1.08 mg nitrate / L 1000 L 1 g
Organic Loading Rate
3
36.635 m3 1 m 1000 mg
Organic Loading Rate 51.84 g / m3 / d
Volume of Media
Volume Filter
Number of Filter Units
36.635 m3
Volume Filter
3 units
Volume Filter = 12.21 m3
4 Area Cross-Sectional
D2
4 2.605
D2
D 1.821 m
27
Assume that the diameter of each filter unit is 2 m. The height will be:
Height = 3.89 m
Diameter = 2.0 m
Volume = 12.21 m3
28
Chapter V
5.1. Summary
Assumptions
The following assumptions were made for the design calculations of trickling filter for removing
nitrate:
The following data were assumed to design a trickling filter for removing phosphates:
29
Dimensions and Parameters of Trickling Filter Nitrate Removal Phosphate Removal
5.2.Conclusion
The data were obtained using nitrate and phosphate concentrations of 19.3 and 1.08,
respectively. The nitrate and phosphate removal rate used for the calculations are 9.2 and
1.34, respectively. The number of filter units and the dimensions were calculated: 6 filter
units having diameter of 3 m and a height of 2.25 m for the nitrate removal and 3 filter units
having diameter of 2 m and a height of 3.89 m. It would be suggested that the following data
30
will be scaled down for experiment to determine whether the dimensions are appropriate and
31
References
A.O. Fadiran, S.C. Dlamini and A. Mavuso (2008) A Comparative Study Of The Phosphate
Levels In Some Surface And Ground Water Bodies Of Swaziland. Bull. Chem. Soc.
EPA (2000) Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet Trickling Filters. EPA 832-F-00-014
G.T. Daigger and J. Boltz (2011) Trickling Filter and Trickling Filter-Suspended Growth Process
H. Habte Lemji and H. Eckstädt (2014) Performance of a Trickling Filter for Nitrogen and
NRAES-49
Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Philippine Clean Water Act 2004
J.E. Kotoski (1997) Black Earth Creek and Limnology Minifacts and Analysis . Spring Harbor
32
Jia Zhu and Bryan Rothermel (2014) Everything You Need to Know About Trickling Filters.
R.F. Follett and J.L. Hatfield (2001) Nitrogen in the Environment: Sources, Problems, and
R.F. Roskopf (1972) Trickling filter-activated sludge combinations for domestic wastewater
R.G. Stevens, D.M. Sullivan and C.G. Gogger (1993) How Fertilizers and Plant Nutrients Affect
Groundwater Quality
R. Tirado (2007) Nitrates in drinking water in the Philippines and Thailand. GRL-TN-10-2007
S.A. Mashali et al. (2013) Wheat Fertilization with Special Reference to Soil Properties and
Sayyed Juned A. and Bhosle Arjun B. (2011) Analysis of Chloride, Sodium and Potassium in
TamilNadu, India. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences 2(1): 44-48,
2010
Trickling Filters
V.R.K. Galarpe and R.B. Parilla (2012) Influence of Seasonal Variation on the
33
Landfill, Philippines. International Journal of Chemical and Environmental Engineering
vol.3, no.3
34
TERM PAPER PRESENTATION
In
(Written Report)
TOPIC: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRESENTER: ___________________________________________
Organization Little or no structure or organization; no Material are generally organized well, but Organizes written materials in a logical
No grasp of information. Clearly Uncomfortable with content. Only basic Demonstration of full knowledge of the
Content
concepts are demonstrated and interpreted. subject with explanations and elaboration.
no knowledge of subject matter. No
&
questions are answered. No interpretation
35
Knowledge made.
(3)
Application of No application of engineering and/or Serious deficiencies in proper selection and Critical selection and application of
reasonable results.
Principles
(4)
Design is done Incompletely without the Design is done, but procedures and Supports design procedure with
Documentation
proper equations and equations are not documented or
documentation and references
(2)
referenced
without references
Outside Seeks no extra information other than Seeks information from a few sources - Seeks information on problems from
what is provided by instructor mainly from the textbook or the instructor multiple resources
Resources
(2)
Use of Supporting Graphs, tables or diagrams are used, but Uses graphs, tables, and diagrams, but only Uses graphs, tables, and diagrams to
no reference is made to them in a few instances are they applied to support points-to explain, interpret, and
Graphs, Tables,
support, explain or interpret information assess information
etc (3)
36
Spelling & Several spelling and grammatical errors. Minor misspellings and/or grammatical Negligible misspellings and/or grammatical
errors. errors.
Grammar
(1)
Figure No figures or graphics are used at all Figures are present but are flawed-axes Figures are all in proper format
mislabeled, no data
Formatting
points, etc
(1)
Inadequate list of references or references Minor inadequacies in references. Reference section complete and
References
in text. Inconsistent or Consistent referencing system. comprehensive. Consistent and logical
(2) referencing system.
illogical referencing system.
TOTAL
Rater: ____________________________________
37
TERM PAPER PRESENTATION
In
(Oral Presentation)
TOPIC: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRESENTER: ___________________________________________
Delivery Talk is poorly organized, e.g. no clear Presents key elements of an oral presentation Plans and delivers an oral presentation
introduction or summary of talk is adequately, but "tell them" not clearly applied effectively; applies
(2)
38
presented the principle of "(tell them)" –well organized
Length and Presentation is inappropriately short or Presentation contains excessive or insufficient Presentation has enough detail appropriate
excessively long; omits key results during detail for time allowed or and technical content for the time constraint
Detail
presentation and the audience
level of audience
(3)
Major difficulties with the mechanical aspects Has some minor difficulties with the Presents well mechanically. Makes eye contact
of the presentation. No eye contact. Difficult mechanical aspects of the presentation. Eye Can be easily heard. Speaks comfortably with
to hear or understand speaking. Reads from contact is sporadic. Occasionally difficult to minimal prompts (notecards). Does not block
pointer, etc.)
have memorize presentation. Occasionally
Dialect Uses poor English Occasionally uses an inappropriate style of Uses proper American English
English-too conversational
(2)
39
Visual Aides Multiple slides are unclear or Visual aides have minor errors or are not Uses visual aids effectively
Appearance Inappropriate attire, slovenly or too revealing Appearance is too casual for the Professional appearance
(3) circumstances
Listening Does not listen carefully to questions, does Sometimes misunderstands Listens carefully and responds to questions
answer, or is unable to answer questions the audience, or has some trouble answering to explain and interpret results for various
Response to
about presentation material audiences and purposes
questions
Questions
(4)
TOTAL
Rater: ____________________________________
40