Biologically enhanced granular activated carbon filtration: PAPER & PRESENTATION
Wouters, J.W.1, Kramer, J.P.1 and Dockx, L.2, 1Brightwork BV, Netherlands, 2Aquafin, Belgium
(free)
Abstract
Micropollutants, present in effluent from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), may affect the aquatic environment. The environmental impact of these substances is expressed particularly by their persistency, bioaccumulation potential and toxicity. Municipal wastewater treatment plants are among the most important contributors of micropollutants released into surface water bodies. Also the reduction of nutrients (N and P) in the final effluent of WWTPs is an objective to improve the quality of the surface water bodies. It requires further extensions of the treatment process.
The Dutch Innovation Program Removal of Micropollutants (abbreviated IPMV) supported practical tests with various viable technologies to determine pathways for implementing viable treatment solutions. One of those promising technologies, biologically enhanced continuous granular activated carbon filtration (Bio-GAC) is tested at WWTP Emmen, the Netherlands. Simultaneously a second pilot unit has been erected and tested at WWTP Aartselaar, Belgium. Throughout the research period test results have been shared and compared to determine the design basis for the technology. With the appropriate operating conditions the results for micropollutants removal meet the European Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD).
