Particle removal in different filtration systems for tertiary wastewater treatment - a comparison

Abstract

In seven wastewater installations in the area of Zürich, Switzerland, four different filtration systems for tertiary wastewater treatment (deep bed, cloth drum, continuous up-flow and cell filters) were investigated with special attention to particle size distributions in the in- and outflow of the flocculation and the filtration step. Flocculation and filter performance was characterised by the shift of particle number curves. For each filter, particle number, surface and volume removal as a function of particle size was determined and revealed to be an excellent tool to evaluate the filter plants under practical conditions. The number removal efficiency for small particles in the colloidal size range proved to be the most sensitive parameter and could be related to operating parameters such as flocculant dose and filtration rate. The results of the particle analysis were compared to quality parameters related to small particles such as micro-organism and heavy metal concentrations. A good agreement between the removal of small size particles (< 8 μm) and bacteria counts as well as copper was found in the different filter systems. The filters were finally classified according to their particle removal performance.