Trickling Filters

-Suman Raj Regmi

 BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT PROCESS:
BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT TECHNIQUES:

ATTACHED GROWTH PROCESS

TRICKLING FILTER

SUSPENDED GROWTH PROCESS

COMBINED PROCESS
ATTACHED GROWTH PROCESS:

The process is characterized by the development of a mixed population of

microorganisms as slime layer over a permeable media.

As the waste water flows over the slime layer

Soluble organic Colloidal

material in the organics are
sewage is absorbed onto
rapidly the surface.
metabolized

With absorption, the thickness of bacterial coating on the media increases, the bacterial
coating prevents oxygen from entering the inner layers weakening those layers,
eventually the scouring of the whole layer takes place.
TRICKLING FILTER:
● The tank is either
rectangular or square but
mostly is circular due to
provision of rotary distributor
which will distribute the
influent uniformly within the
tank.

Not to be Confused:
Although no filters or
screens are involved,the
name is Trickling Filter.
COMPONENTS:

ENCLOSURE TANK:
● Generally constructed of RCC above
the ground and is watertight, circular in
shape.
● Rotary distribution arms are provided
whose rotation may vary from ½ to 2
rpm.
○ The function is to spread the
influent uniformly over the
bacterial layer.
○ Has clear spacing of 15-20 cm
over the layer
 Filter Media:
● Bacterial layer growing over a layer composed
of gravel, brick pieces of effective size 25-75
mm acts a filtering media.
● Depth
○ Normal rate trickling filter: 1.3 -
3.0m
○ High rate trickling filter : 1-1.8m
■ Single Stage : 1-1.8m
■ Double Stage:0.9-1.8m
The effectiveness of the media goes on decreasing
with increasing depth, so recirculation around the
filter is preferred at present times.
Under drainage system:
● It is provided so that collecting the sloughed
solids easy to the main collecting channel
becomes effective.
● Precast Concrete blocks are placed at a slope
of 1:50 towards the centre.

Ventilation:
● The action of the filter increases with the
increase in supply of the fresh air.
● Natural ventilation can be obtained when the
temperature difference between the
atmosphere and the sewage becomes just or
greater than 6 degree centigrade.
● For artificial ventilation needed, compressed
air is blown.
Recirculation:
● It is an important feature of the trickling filter.\
● Part of a thickened sludge(having high biomass
concentration) in secondary sedimentation tank
is returned and reapplied onto the trickling filter.
● Increases the filtering action.
Some mathematical definitions: