Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Important Aspects Of Waste Water Purification System

By Martha Lewis


Waste water may be collected from homes or commercial properties. Toilets, dishwashers and plumbing fixtures are among the largest contributors of sewage water in the home setting. Manufacturing plants form the bulk of the sewage that originates from commercial premises. A waste water purification system helps to separate the solid waste from the water so that the latter can be reused.

There are several stages that the effluent has to be taken through during the purification process. These are screening, primary, secondary and tertiary stages. Screening involves the removal of large inorganic objects such as plastic, pieces of cloth and large rocks. This process is continued at the primary stage where the smaller particles (mainly sand and grit) are removed through sedimentation and aeration. The waste that is left thereafter is known as sludge.

In the secondary stage, the main process that takes place is the removal of organic waste. Large tanks known as digesters are used for this process. Bacteria with both aerobic and anaerobic activity are used here. The breakdown of the organic material reduces the effluent nutritional content and this hampers further growth of bacteria. Sedimentation is repeated at this stage to yield secondary effluent that is pumped to a holding pond.

The fourth and final stage involves a number of processes. Biological breakdown of materials is optimized in this area through the use of biologic filters. The other important process that occurs here is a reduction in the levels of foam, oil, grease and ammonia. Disinfection is then performed to make the water safe for reuse. This is achieved through chlorination and UV radiation. Collectively, these processes clear the murkiness.

Odor that is produced in the process has to be removed during the tertiary process. Hydrogen sulfide, which is one of the commonest gases that is produced, can be removed in a number of ways. Carbon reactors are typically used. The reactors are lined with pellets of chlorine and bio-slimes. Alternatives to this technique include the use of either calcium nitrate or hydrogen peroxide.

There may be some differences in the secondary and tertiary stages. Some systems use a blend of enzymes to degrade the organic material. One of the major downsides of this approach is that not all the organic matter is broken down since some of the enzymes may be missing from the blend. This is in contrast to bacterial organisms which can synthesize all the required enzymes.

Treated effluent can be utilized in a number of ways. Most large scale plants reutilize the water for agricultural purposes. If proper technology is employed, the water can be used domestically. Apart from the water, the sludge should also be adequately treated before being released into the environment. If being done on a small scale, composting is a viable option. If on a larger scale, aerobic and anaerobic digestion are preferred.

There are set rules and guidelines that govern the installment of sewage treatment plants. The guidelines are determined by local authorities and vary from place to place. Ensure that you are conversant with those that apply in your general case. The general advice is that the methods that are employed should be the same as what happens in the natural environment.




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