Line 12: Line 12:
</ref>
</ref>


'''Ultrafiltration -'''(UF) is a variety of membrane filtration in which hydrostatic pressure forces a liquid against a semipermeable membrane (Figure 1). Suspended solids and solutes of high molecular weight are retained, while water and low molecular weight solutes pass through the membrane<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultrafiltration (accessed 5/7/2008)</ref>[[Image:Ultrafilt.jpg| thumb| 1000px| right| Figure 1. Phosphorus Removal (Awaiting Permission)]]
'''Ultrafiltration -'''(UF) is a variety of membrane filtration in which hydrostatic pressure forces a liquid against a semipermeable membrane (Figure 1). Suspended solids and solutes of high molecular weight are retained, while water and low molecular weight solutes pass through the membrane<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultrafiltration (accessed 5/7/2008)</ref>[[Image:Ultrafilt.jpg| thumb| 1000px| right| Figure 1. Ultrafiltration Membrane (Awaiting Permission)]]


[[Image:Phosphorous removal.gif| thumb| 1000px| left| Figure 2. Phosphorus Removal (Awaiting Permission)]]
[[Image:Phosphorous removal.gif| thumb| 1000px| left| Figure 2. Phosphorus Removal (Awaiting Permission)]]

Revision as of 04:19, 8 May 2008

Template:115inprogress

Tertiary Treatment

Tertiary treatment of effluent provides a final stage to raise the quality of wastewater before it is released into the environment. A treatment plant may opt to use more than one tertiary treatment process, such as combining nutrient removal with mechanical filtration. If disinfection is practiced, it is always the final process. Tertiary treatment is also called advanced treatment, "effluent polishing", or in the case of the Arcata Marsh "enhancement".

Types of Treatment and Disinfection

Filtration - After secondary treatment there are generally still some suspended solids left in the effluent. The main reason for this is that the secondary process is not perfect at removing microorganisms left over from the biological treatment processes. This "biological floc" can be filtered out mechanically by using a multimedia filter that has progressively smaller and smaller filter grain sizes. This reduces the amount of back washing necessary to clean the filter.

Nanofiltration - is a relatively recent membrane process used most often with low TDS waters such as surface water and fresh groundwater, with the purpose of softening (polyvalent cation removal) and removal of disinfection by-product precursors such as natural organic matter and synthetic organic matter[1]

Ultrafiltration -(UF) is a variety of membrane filtration in which hydrostatic pressure forces a liquid against a semipermeable membrane (Figure 1). Suspended solids and solutes of high molecular weight are retained, while water and low molecular weight solutes pass through the membrane[2]

Figure 1. Ultrafiltration Membrane (Awaiting Permission)
Figure 2. Phosphorus Removal (Awaiting Permission)

Nutrient removal - Wastewater may contain high levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. The excessive release of these nutrients to the environment can cause the overgrowth of weeds, algae, and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). A rapid growth in the population of algae can result is an algal bloom of a magnitude such that the numbers are unsustainable. Eventually most of the algea die. The decomposition of the dead algae by bacteria depletes the dissolved oxygen in the water. As a result most or all of the animals living in the water die. This creates more organic matter for the bacteria to decompose, continuing the cycle. In addition to causing deoxygenation, some algal species produce toxins that contaminate drinking water supplies.

Different treatment processes are required to remove nitrogen and phosphorus. Phosphorous is generally removed using chemicals such as alum, or ferric chloride which precipitate to form a salt and hydronium or hydroxide ions (Figure 2). These ions can cause the waters pH to fluctuate. Generally lime is used to stabilize the pH of the effluent. These reactions require a settling basin to remove the precipitants.

Removing nitrogen can be accomplished using either chemical or biological processes. Nitrogen is generally present in the form of amonia. The chemical process simply raises the pH of the effluent. This converts the amonia to amonium which can be removed from the water simply by passing large quantities of oxygen through it. The biological process uses activated sludge for an extended period of time, typically around 15 days.[3]

Disinfection

The purpose of disinfection in the treatment of wastewater is to reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms in the water to be discharged back into the environment. The effectiveness of disinfection depends on the quality of the water being treated (e.g., cloudiness, pH, etc.), the type of disinfection being used, the disinfectant dosage (concentration and time), and other environmental variables. Turbidity will be treated less successfully since solid matter can shield organisms, especially from ultraviolet light or if contact times are short. Generally, short contact times, low doses and high flows all mitigate against effective disinfection. Common methods of disinfection include ozone, chlorine, or ultraviolet light.


Chlorination - remains the most common form of wastewater disinfection in North America due to its low cost and long-term history of effectiveness. One disadvantage is that chlorination of residual organic material can generate chlorinated-organic compounds that may be carcinogenic or harmful to the environment. Residual chlorine or chloramines may also be capable of chlorinating organic material in the natural aquatic environment. Further, because residual chlorine is toxic to aquatic species, the treated effluent must also be chemically dechlorinated, adding to the complexity and cost of treatment.[4]

Ultraviolet - (UV) light can be used instead of chlorine, iodine, or other chemicals. Because no chemicals are used, the treated water has no adverse residual effect on organisms that later consume it, as may be the case with other methods. UV radiation causes damage to the genetic structure of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, making them incapable of reproduction. The key disadvantages of UV disinfection are the need for frequent lamp maintenance and energy use; and the need for a highly treated effluent to ensure that the target microorganisms are not shielded from the UV radiation (i.e., any solids present in the treated effluent may protect microorganisms from the UV light). In the United Kingdom, UV is becoming the most common means of disinfection because of the concerns about the impacts of chlorine in chlorinating residual organics in the wastewater and in chlorinating organics in the receiving water. Edmonton, Alberta, also uses UV light for its water treatment.[5]

Ozone - Ozone is very unstable and reactive and oxidizes most organic material it comes in contact with, thereby destroying many pathogenic microorganisms. Ozone is considered to be safer than chlorine because, unlike chlorine which has to be stored on site (highly poisonous in the event of an accidental release), ozone is generated onsite as needed. Ozonation also produces fewer disinfection by-products than chlorination. A disadvantage of ozone disinfection is the high cost of the ozone generation equipment and the requirements for highly skilled operators.[6]

References

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.