Showing papers on "Effluent published in 1976"

Sanitary Landfill Leachates and Their Treatment

Abstract: An extensive analysis of both organic and inorganic constituents in leachate samples collected from landfills located throughout the United States was conducted in this study. Ratios of certain parameters of leachate, such as COD/TOC, BOD 5 /COD, FA-C/TOC VS/FS, etc., and the known age of the landfills can be used to predict the effectiveness of various biological and physical-chemical processes for leachate treatment. Some of these ratios, such as COD/TOC, are also used as an internal check on the reliability of the chemical analysis of leachate samples. The study showed that leachate from a recently leaching fill is best treated by aerobic and anaerobic biological treatment processes. and reverse osmosis treatment were effective in removing organic matter in leachate from stabilized fills, or to remove organic matter in effluent of biological units treating leachate.

Demonstration of solids-associated virus in wastewater and sludge.

Abstract: Data presented demonstrate the relatively high multiplicity of solids-associated virus in field samples, i.e., wastewater, sludge, and soils. Influent, effluent, and chlorinated effluent samples showed 16.1 to 100% of the total virus demonstrated in samples to be solids associated. Three techniques for freeing solids-associated virus are described and compared. Using sonication of solids and polyethylene glycol concentration, virus was demonstrated in fully digested sludge (60 days at 34 C), sand at the site of a sewer leak, and dried sludge cake and mud 900 m downstream from a sewage disposal site. These data emphasize the inadequacy of virus concentration techniques that do not include the processing of solids. In situ elution failed to free solids-associated virus.

Virus movement in soil columns flooded with secondary sewage effluent.

Abstract: Secondary sewage effluent containing about 3 X 10(4) plaque-forming units of polio virus type 1 (LSc) per ml was passed through columns 250 cm in length packed with calcareous sand from an area in the Salt River bed used for ground-water recharge of secondary sewage effluent. Viruses were not detected in 1-ml samples extracted from the columns below the 160-cm level. However, viruses were detected in 5 of 43 100-ml samples of the column drainage water. Most of the viruses were adsorbed in the top 5 cm of soil. Virus removal was not affected by the infiltration rate, which varied between 15 and 55 cm/day. Flooding a column continuosly for 27 days with the sewage water virus mixture did not saturate the top few centimeters of soil with viruses and did not seem to affect virus movement. Flooding with deionized water caused virus desorption from the soil and increased their movement through the columns. Adding CaCl2 to the deionized water prevented most of the virus desorption. Adding a pulse of deionized water followed by sewage water started a virus front moving through the columns, but the viruses were readsorbed and none was detected in outflow samples. Drying the soil for 1 day between applying the virus and flooding with deionized water greatly reduced desorption, and drying for 5 days prevented desorption. Large reductions (99.99% or more) of virus would be expected after passage of secondary sewage effluent through 250 cm of the calcareous sand similar to that used in our laboratory columns unless heavy rains fell within 1 day after the application of sewage stopped. Such virus movement could be minimized by the proper management of flooding and drying cycles.

Virus and bacteria removal from wastewater by land treatment.

Abstract: Secondary sewage effluent and renovated water from four wells at the Flushing Meadows Wastewater Renovation Project near Phoenix, Arizona, in operation since 1967, were assayed approximately every 2 months in 1974 for viruses and enteric bacteria during flooding periods. No viruses of Salmonella sp. were detected in any renovated well water samples, and the numbers of fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci, and total bacteria were decreased by about 99.9% in the renovated well waters after the wastewater was filtered through about 9 m of soil.

Distribution of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus in sewage works, river water, and sediments.

Abstract: Bdellovibrio was found in all liquid phases of the sewage works examined. The predator was also found in all the river sediments and sewage-polluted river waters examined but could not be found in some unpolluted river waters. Bdellovibrio was able to multiply on the high numbers of bacteria present in the aerobic percolating filter film but could not survive in anaerobic sludge. Similarly, the predator was present in the aerobic surface layers of river sediments but not in the anaerobic bottom layers. The major source of Bdellovibrio in the polluted rivers examined were sewage works effluents, and numbers in both river water and sediment were correlated with river water quality. It was unlikely that Bdellovibrio was important in reducing numbers of other bacteria in either sewage or river sediment.

Process for the purification of waste water

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous process for purifying contaminated waste water. First the water passes through an equalization zone including at least two separate compartments, in one of which the pH of the water is adjusted to a range of from about 6.5 to 9.5. The water flows through the separate compartments such that the concentration of contaminants in the water exiting the equalization zone will approach about constant concentration which changes only gradually even though influent contaminant concentration changes rapidly. Water in at least one compartment of the equalization zone is aerated so that the dissolved oxygen in the water is at least three parts of dissolved oxygen per million parts of water. Solids are skimmed from the surface of the water in the zone, and coagulant is added to the effluent water from the equalization zone so that colloidal particles in the water flocculate. The water from this equalization zone is then filtered to remove flocculated particles. The effluent from the filter will preferably have less than about ten parts of suspended solids per million parts of water and/or less than about ten parts of oil and grease per million parts of water. This effluent is aerated, preferably by aspiration, and is treated in a four stage biological treating zone. In the first stage, the water contacts an activated sludge which decontaminates the water by biodegrading contaminants. In the second stage, water from the first stage is clarified to separate suspended sludge particles from decontaminated water. The bulk of the separated sludge particles is recycled to the first stage, and the bulk of the clarified, decontaminated water is withdrawn. In the third stage, that portion of the separated sludge particles not recycled is concentrated by removing additional residual water. In the fourth stage, the concentrated sludge particles are digested. In accordance with an important feature of our invention, the water-sludge mix as it flows between the first and second stages is aerated by aspirating air into the water-sludge mix and then subjecting this mix to a high hydrostatic pressure. Preferably the sludge flowing between the second, third and fourth stages is also aerated. The water separated from the second stage is filtered to remove any minute suspended sludge particles which may be present. The preferred filter medium is sand or combinations of sand and coal, and may be followed by treatment with activated carbon. Interstage aeration is conducted at pressures above atmospheric. This ensures substantial transfer of oxygen to the water. Also, activated sludge from the third and fourth stages may be recycled to the activated sludge-water mixture that exited the first stage. The average age of the sludge in the system is greater than ten days. The dissolved oxygen concentration in the water flowing into the second stage clarifier is at least about five parts of dissolved oxygen per million parts of water.

Chemical waste water treatment method

Abstract: A method of treating domestic, commercial or industrial waste water which includes the steps of mixing the waste water with a coagulant aid so as to bring the pH of the mixture to within a range of about 9.0-10.5, and thereafter adding precipitating agents in at least two successive steps so as to lower the pH of the mixture by about one unit for each step and thereby precipitate solids therefrom until the mixture is approximately neutral. After the addition of each precipitating agent, the precipitated solids are separated from the waste water effluent before the next succeeding precipitating agent is added. Preferably two such successive precipitation steps are performed, after which the resultant waste water effluent is treated with an oxidizing and disinfecting agent, filtered, and then treated with a further oxidizing and disinfecting agent to minimize the B.O.D. level. In the course of the process, a portion of the solids separated from the waste water effluent in the respective steps is preferably recycled into the treatment system by mixing it with new incoming waste water to partially take the place of the original coagulant aid. The preferred coagulant aid utilized is portland cement, with aluminum sulfate and copper sulfate preferably being used in sequence as the precipitating agents and potassium permanganate and ozone being used in sequence as the oxidizing and disinfecting agents.

Movement of heavy metals below sewage disposal ponds

Abstract: Coarse-textured soils below sludge and effluent disposal ponds at two sewage treatment plants were studied The concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr, and Ni in the soils at various depths were determined to investigate the downward movement of these heavy metals below the two types of disposal ponds Concentrations of acid-extractable metals (4N HNO/sub 3/) were greater under disposal ponds than offplant control sites at both treatment plants Metal enrichment was evident to depths as great as 3 m under some ponds The depth and degree of metal enrichment depended on the specific pond type and the treatment plant Metal concentrations were greater under anaerobically digested sludge-holding ponds than effluent ponds Concentrations of the metals in saturation extracts of soils beneath the ponds were much greater than those typically found for California soils The distributions of metals with depth were closely related to the changes in chemical oxygen demands of soil samples with depth This suggests that the metals have moved as soluble metal--organic complexes

Growth of water hyacinths in treated sewage effluent

Abstract: Two thousand plants of the water hyacinth,Eichornia crassipes Solms., were introduced on April 11, 1971, into a series of five ponds, each 5000 sq. ft. in area and 2.6 ft. deep. Treated waste water effluent from the Ames sewage treatment plant filled the ponds and was added to pond 1 at 127 gallons per minute. By growth and vegetative reproduction, these plants increased to more than 500,000, and all five ponds were covered completely by July 26. On that date, the extrapolated estimate of total wet weight was 287 U.S. tons/ acre (645 metric tons/hectare; 64500g/m2). The estimate of oven dry weight was 13.2 U.S. tons/acre (29.7 metric tons/hectare; 2970g/m2). Ammonia and nitrate disappeared rapidly from the pond water, and phosphate concentrations were lowered appreciably. Evapotranspiration and seepage accounted for water losses of more than 0.5 inches per day. The potential economic values of this plant and its possible use in tertiary treatment to reduce N and P components in waste waters are discussed briefly.

Process and system for anaerobic treatment of biochemical waste

Abstract: In a system for treatment of biochemical waste such as activated sludges, the waste is subjected to anaerobic stabilization processes, which include two phases of an acid fermentation and a methane fermentation effected in separate reactors. The waste after the acid fermentation is then separated into a liquid effluent for the methane fermentation and a waste sludge. The waste sludge which may cause secondary environmental pollution is re-treated within the anaerobic stabilization processes without withdrawing from the system.

Method and apparatus for growing seafood in commercially significant quantities on land

Abstract: A method and apparatus for growing seafood in commercially significant quantities on land, comprising a means for and the steps of transporting water from a source of water to a plurality of algal reservoirs, each having a volume equal to or exceeding 21/2 feet × 1/8 acre; inoculating the reservoirs with phytoplankton from a source of phytoplankton having a minimum density of 10 1 to 10 3 organisms/liter; adding fertilizer to the water in the reservoir daily for providing a mixture and subjecting the mixture to sunlight for increasing the density of the phytoplankton in the water to a density exceeding 10 5 organisms/liter; transporting a predetermined percentage of the water and phytoplankton continuously, once the reservoirs are in bloom, from the algal reservoirs through trenches containing seafood for which the phytoplankton is a nutrient for growing the seafood; and continuously transporting the water, including the effluent and wastes deposited by the seafood in the trenches, from the trenches to a purging pond containing seaweed for which the wastes and effluent are a nutrient for growing the seaweed and purging the water of the seafood wastes and residual phytoplankton.

Accumulation of dry matter, nitrogen and phosphorus by cultivated water Hyacinths

Abstract: Nutrient absorption by controlled populations of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms (water hyacinth), or other species of aquatic plants, might reduce concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in eutrophic lakes or in effluents prior to their .release into natural waters (5, 14, 15, 18). Steward (15), assuming dried water hyacinths contained 4% nitrogen and 0.4% phosphorus, suggested that 1 ha of plants in subtropical regions might remove up to 6,000 kg nitrogen and 600 kg phosphorus per year. Boyd (5), using more conservative values for growth and nutrient content, estimated potential annual uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus by water hyacinths in warm climates as 1,980 and 322 kg/ha, respectively. Rogers and Davis (14), after measuring nutrient uptake by E. crassipes in growth chamber experiments, concluded that absorption by 1 ha of water hyacinths would exceed 2,500 kg of nitrogen and 700 kg of phosphorus per year if maximum growth could be sustained. Many aquatic plants, including water hyacinth, have a high protein content (3, 4) and plants removed to reduce nutrient enrichment of natural waters could probably be used as animal feed. In this study, water hyacinths were cultivated in nutrient-enriched water of earthen ponds to determine rates of growth and absorption of nitrogen and phosphorus under conditions similar to those in eutrophic lakes or effluent holding ponds. The effects of water hyacinths on nutrient concentrations in waters and on phytoplank-

Oxidative purification of water

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of water treatment, particularly of industrial aqueous effluents and of water from watercourses, such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and the like, comprising oxidation with singlet oxygen.

Method for treating septic tank effluent seepage beds and the like

Abstract: A method for correcting and preventing the failure of septic tank effluent seepage beds or similar installations which comprises treating such beds with a solution of an oxidizing agent, preferably hydrogen peroxide.

Evaluation of a Sulfur-Thiobacillus denitrificans Nitrate Removal System

Abstract: An evaluation of sulfur- nitrate removal system as a means of denitrifying nitrified septic tank effluent was conducted. Duplicate 10 by 64 cm columns were filled with a 1/1 mixture (wt/wt) of elemental S (>2 mm) and dolomite chips (1 cm), and were pretreated by recycling an enrichment culture of ATCC 23642 through the columns for 3 days. Continuous passage of the nitrified septic tank effluent (column influent) containing 40 g NO-N/ml through the columns resulted in nearly complete NO removal in 3.3 hours at steady-state conditions (23C). Statistical analyses indicated that the denitrification kinetics closely resemble first order in the range of NO concentrations employed. Oxidation-reduction potentials (Pt black electrodes) ranged from +160 to +300 mV. Analysis the gases produced showed that N was present in highest concentration. Sulfate was the major S end product and was present at relatively high concentrations (90 g SO-S/ml). A significant decrease in inorganic C occurred with depth in the columns while changes in organic C content were insignificant. A significant linear relationship was obtained between decreases in (NO + NO)-N and production of S0-S. Passage of column effluent through 10 by 60 cm Plainfield sand columns did not significantly decrease SO levels. While use of this NO removal system appears promising, SO contamination of the ground water may limit its applicability.

Kinetics of substrate removal in a completely mixed anaerobic filter

Abstract: A completely mixed anaerobic filter, in which the influent organic matter concentration is diluted with recirculated effluent, was found to effectively remove organic matter concentrations in high strength acidic wastewater, at a range of organic loadings and shock loads. Increases in organic loading had a substantial effect on the relative organic matter composition of the effluent and the magnitude of the fatty acid fraction showed a pattern inverse to that of the nitrogenous organics. A fixed film model was formulated which indicated that at high substrate concentrations the substrate removal rate is proportional to the square root of the substrate concentration and the specific area of the filter medium. A comparison of the biofilm model and the measured effluent concentrations tended to indicate that the substrate removal rate is primarily affected by substrate concentration, specific surface area, flow rate, and temperature of the unit.

Waste-water treatment system

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided for use in treating the sanitary and grey waste waters from individual homes in areas where subsurface disposal of these wastes is not feasible and where discharge of treated effluent to a body of surface water is permitted. All toilet wastes, bath and shower wastes, and kitchen wastewater can be treated by this process and system. These wastes are cleansed, disinfected and clarified prior to discharge to the receiving body of water. The system includes a septic tank, a dosing chamber, an enclosed sand filter, and a disinfection unit operatively connected to one another for progressive cleansing, clarification and disinfection of the wastewater.

Immediate Behavioral Reactions of Blacknose Dace, Rhinichthys atratulus, to Domestic Sewage and Its Toxic Constituents

Abstract: Using a channelled avoidance trough, immediate behavioral reactions of blacknose dace to a domestic sewage effluent and its toxic constituents, chloramines, free chlorine, and ammonia, were investigated. Two avoidance indexes were computed from time spent and number of entries by the fish into a test solution channel and a clean water channel. The time avoidance index was found to be a more sensitive measurement than the entry avoidance index for fish behavioral reactions. On the basis of the time avoidance index, the fish did not avoid unchlorinated sewage effluent and ammonium chloride solution in concentrations as high as 270 mg/liter as ammonia-nitrogen. The fish did avoid chlorinated sewage effluent, chloramines, and free chlorine. The degree of fish avoidance increased as total chlorine concentration increased. The threshold avoidance concentration under the test conditions was 0.13 mg/liter as total chlorine for chlorinated sewage effluent, 0.18 mg/liter for chloramines, and 0.61 mg/liter ...

Persistence of Virus on Sewage-Irrigated Vegetables

Abstract: A number of municipalities are contemplating land disposal of primary and secondary-treated sewage in an attempt to reduce stream pollution. Presently operating sewage treatment systems do not completely remove viruses from sludge and effluent, and enteroviruses, reoviruses, and adenoviruses have been recovered from such sewage wastes. Spray-irrigation of vegetables with virus-inoculated sewage sludge and effluent has demonstrated that poliovirus 1 persisted on vegetable surfaces for as long as 36 days, indicating potential contamination of vegetables when spray-irrigation systems are used.

Activated carbon treatment of oxygenated wastewater

Abstract: An integrated system for treating wastewater containing biodegradeable organic contaminants by oxygenation thereof in the presence of activated sludge in an enclosed oxygenation zone with at least 50% oxygen feed gas and removal of the residual organic contaminants by adsorption in an activated carbon adsorption zone. At least part of the oxygen-depleted vent gas discharged from the oxygenation zone is concurrently flowed upwardly through the adsorption zone with the oxygenated effluent to maintain aerobic biological conditions in the adsorption zone for physical adsorption and biochemical oxidization of the residual organic contaminants therein.

Iso- or terephthalic acid production in and recovery from benzoic acid-water solvent system

Abstract: This invention relates to the continuous production of iso- or terephthalic acid in a stirred reaction zone by catalytic air oxidation of m- or p-xylene in the presence of a benzoic acid-water liquid solvent system at constant gauge pressure within the range of 7 to 21 kg/cm2 wherein oxidation temperature within the range of 175° to 235° C. is maintained substantially constant by the novel control thereof by only varying the flow rate of water condensate reflux to the oxidation zone. The invention further pertains to novel means for achieving such temperature control. Also, the present invention relates to a novel continuous recovery of the phthalic acid product from the fluid effluent of said continuous process by a process wherein crystalline phthalic acid product is separated from essentially water-free benzoic acid mother liquor; the crystalline product is successively washed with liquid benzoic acid and the corresponding xylene; the washed product is dried; and the water removed from said fluid effluent, the benzoic acid and xylene wash liquors, xylene recovered from product drying, and a major proportion of the benzoic acid mother liquor are charged to the oxidation process. The invention further relates to a novel combination of apparatus for the continuous conduct of said oxidation and recovery processes.

Persistence of Fecal Coliform Indicator Bacteria on Alfalfa Irrigated with Municipal Sewage Lagoon Effluent

Abstract: Fecal coliforms on alfalfa plants (Medicago sativa L.) irrigated with sewage lagoon effluent were completely destroyed by exposure to 10 hours bright sunlight. No decrease in numbers was observed in the absence of bright sunlight under cool, damp, overcast conditions. Exposure to 10 hours bright sunlight was adequate to destroy all the fecal coliforms present in raw sewage. In the event that sewage treatment failures such as lagoon short-circuiting occurred while alfalfa was being irrigated with sewage effluent in the semiarid prairie region, livestock would be adequately protected from possible salmonella and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection if at least 2 sunny days elapse between the cessation of effluent irrigation and the consumption of the forage.