Viability of a Single-Stage Unsaturated-Saturated Granular Activated Carbon Biofilter for Greywater Treatment

Ahmed Sharaf, Bing Guo, David C. Shoults, Nicholas J. Ashbolt and Yang Liu
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Ahmed Sharaf: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
Bing Guo: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
David C. Shoults: School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G7, Canada
Nicholas J. Ashbolt: School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G7, Canada
Yang Liu: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 21, 1-16

Abstract: Compared with conventionally collected sewage, source-diverted greywater has a higher potential for on-site treatment and reuse due to its lower contaminant levels and large volume. A new design of granular activated carbon (GAC) biofilters was developed by incorporating unsaturated and saturated zones in a single stage to introduce an efficient, passive, and easy-to-operate technology for greywater on-site treatment at the household scale. The design was customized for its intended application considering various aspects including the reactor’s configuration, packing media, and feeding strategy. With the highest hydraulic and organic loadings of 1.2 m 3 m −2 d −1 and 3.5 kg COD m −2 d −1 , respectively, and the shortest retention time of 2.4 h, the system maintained an average total chemical oxygen demand removal rate of 94% with almost complete removal of nutrients throughout its 253 days of operation. The system showed a range of reduction efficacy towards five surrogates representing viruses, bacteria, and Cryptosporidium and Giardia (oo)cysts. A well-functioning biofilm was successfully developed, and its mass and activity increased over time with the highest values observed at the top layers. The key microbes within the biofilter were revealed. Feasibility of the proposed technology was investigated, and implications for design and operation were discussed.

Keywords: greywater treatment; granular activated carbon biofilter; biological activity; pathogen reduction; microbial community structure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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