Week 9 - Tertiary (Advanced) Treatment Processes - LM - Watermark

20‐09‐2018
WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND RECYCLING

Tertiary (Advanced) Treatment of Wastewater
Week 9- Lecture 43
Dr. MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI

SCHOOL OF WATER RESOURCES
IIT KHARAGPUR
Tertiary or Advanced Treatment ?

o Treatment levels beyond secondary are called
advanced or tertiary treatment.
o This attempts the removal of stubborn
contaminants which are difficult to remove
by conventional primary or secondary
treatment units.
o Generally, stronger and more advanced
treatment systems are used.
o The purpose is to raise the effluent quality
before it is utilised for reuse/recycling or it is Image Source :
https://www.waterworld.com/articles/wwi/print/volume‐21/issue‐6/features/reverse‐
discharged to the receiving environment. osmosis‐membranes‐play‐key‐role‐in‐wastewater‐reclamation.html
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Tertiary or Advanced Treatment of Wastewater
Waste Water Treatment

Plants using conventional
biological treatment systems
can produce a high quality
effluent (removes 85 to 95
percent of BOD and TSS), but,
typically require further
treatment for reuse
applications.
Source :
https://sites.google.com/a/cherrycreekschools.org/
water‐treatment‐systems/home/tertiary‐treatment
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Source : Lecture Notes by Dr. Arun Kumar, IIT Delhi, Available at http://web.iitd.ac.in/~arunku/files/CVL100_Y16/LecSep2728.pdf
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Although majority of suspended solids and
dissolved organics are removed up to secondary
treatment, treatment efficiencies are usually low
for:
o Nutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorus)
o Very fine suspended particles
o Recalcitrant organic compounds
o Emerging contaminants
(pesticides, pharmaceuticals, health and personal
care products etc.)
o Dissolved heavy metals
o Resistant microorganisms
etc. Image Source : http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publications/freshwater/fms1/2.asp
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Why Tertiary Treatment ?

 To provide additional treatment when receiving environment
cannot handle the pollutant load
 Deteriorating water quality of natural resources

 Emerging contaminants
 Wastewater reuse and recycling requirements enforced by

regulatory agencies (due to water availability limitations)
To better protect public health and environment
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Tertiary Treatment Objectives

o To remove total suspended solids and organic matter those are present in
effluents after secondary treatment.
o To remove specific organic and inorganic constituents, and emerging

contaminants from water
o To remove residual nutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorous)
o To remove pathogens
o To reduce total dissolved solids (TDS)
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Tertiary Treatment Options
Image Source : http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0551e/t0551e0j.gif
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Tertiary Treatment Options
Image Source : http://www.dancesalsa.co/advanced‐wastewater‐treatment‐plant‐process‐diagrams.html
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Tertiary Treatment Approaches

o The advanced treatment units mostly work on physicochemical principles (for
example ‐ membrane processes, adsorption, Ion exchange, chemical precipitations
etc.) however at times, biological treatments units are also used (for example ‐
nutrients removal).
o As there are multiple options exist for advanced treatment, the identification and
selection of the most appropriate methods is done based on the installation and
operation and maintenance cost, desired degree of treatment, technical suitability,
and reliability of the methods.
o Some treatment steps are integrated with primary or secondary treatment units,
while some may need dedicated treatment units installed post secondary
treatment.
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Tertiary Treatment: Nutrients Removal
Week 9- Lecture 44

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Why Remove Nutrients ?

o Excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphorous
disrupt the natural environment. Nutrient
pollution in surface water bodies fuels the
growth of harmful algae (Eutrophication)
which devastate aquatic ecosystems.
o Nutrient pollution can create dead zones
(Hypoxia), where aquatic life cannot survive
due to little or no oxygen. These areas are
caused by algal blooms consuming oxygen as
they die and decompose.
o Waters may have higher than acceptable
nitrate levels for reuse or recycling Source : https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/effects‐environment
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Why Remove Nutrients ?

o At times, algal blooms create toxins that
can kill fish and other animals.
o After being consumed by small fish and
shellfish, these toxins move up the food
chain and hurt larger fish and other animals
in water.
o Even if algal blooms are not toxic, they can
hurt aquatic life by blocking out sunlight
and clogging fish gills.
Nutrient removal is an important process in
meeting high quality effluent requirements. Source : https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/effects‐environment
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Nutrient Removal: Options

Nitrification‐denitrification (Biological method)
Nitrogen Removal
Typical Nitrogen Concentrations
in Domestic Sewage = 25 to 50 mg/L Ammonia Striping (Physico‐chemical method)
– Ammonium Nitrogen = 15 to 35 mg/L
– Organic Nitrogen = 10 to 20 mg/L
– Some NO2 –, NO3– could be there
Biological Phosphorous Removal
Phosphorus Removal
Typical Phosphorus Concentrations
in Domestic Sewage = 4 to 8 mg/L Chemical Phosphorous Removal
Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR)
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Nitrogen Removal: Nitrification - Denitrification
Bacteria remove nitrogen from

wastewater by a two stage process:
nitrification followed by denitrification.
 The conversion of ammonium to

nitrate through nitrite by
autotrophic bacteria is called
Nitrification.
 The reduction of nitrate (NO3‐) to

nitrogen gas (N2) by facultative
heterotrophic bacteria is called
Denitrification.
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o By providing additional aerobic biological treatment, nitrifying bacteria present in
wastewater can biologically convert ammonia to the non‐toxic nitrate (nitrification).
o In a 2‐step nitrification process, Nitrosomonas convert ammonia and ammonium to
nitrite, and Nitrobacter then converts nitrite to nitrate. As reactions are coupled and
proceed rapidly to the nitrate form; nitrite levels at any given time are usually low.
o The nitrification process is normally sufficient to remove the toxicity associated with
ammonia in the effluent.
o In situations where nitrogen must be completely removed from effluent, an additional
biological process to convert the nitrate to nitrogen gas (denitrification), is added. In
anoxic environment, bacteria use the oxygen attached to the nitrogen in the nitrate,
where as a carbon‐source (such as methanol) may be supplied additionally.
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Nitrification:
Denitrification:
Source : Water Environment Federation: Operation of Municipal
Wastewater Treatment Plants: MoP No. 11, Sixth Edition. Biological
Nutrient Removal Processes, Chapter (McGraw‐Hill Professional,
2008), Access Engineering
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o Effective nitrification depends on sufficient
oxygen and alkalinity (to maintain pH).
Nitrifiers typically require 4.57 mg of oxygen
and 7.14 mg of alkalinity (as calcium carbonate)
for each 1.0 mg of nitrate‐nitrogen formed.
They yield about 0.06 to 0.20 mg of VSS for
each 1.0 mg of nitrate‐nitrogen formed.
o Nitrification typically requires a long retention
time, a low F/M ratio, and a high mean cell
residence time (MCRT). Rate of nitrification is
Source : Water Environment Federation: Operation of Municipal Wastewater
also affected by temperature and pH. Treatment Plants: MoP No. 11, Sixth Edition. Biological Nutrient Removal
Processes, Chapter (McGraw‐Hill Professional, 2008), Access Engineering
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o Nitrifying organisms are present in almost all aerobic process sludge but they are less in
number. Under favourable conditions (BOD5 to TKN > 5), carbon oxidation and
nitrification may occur in a single reactor (Single Stage: combined carbon oxidation and
nitrification), which could be accomplished in both suspended and attached growth
process such as trickling filter, ASP, RBC, SBR, etc.
o Nitrification could be achieved in separate reactor as well (Separate Stage or Two Stage:
separate stage carbon oxidation and nitrification), which are similar in design to the
activated‐sludge process for suspended growth nitrification processes. Attached‐growth
processes such as trickling filter process, rotating biological contactor and packed‐bed
reactor could also be used for separate‐stage nitrification.
o Separate‐stage nitrification is usually practiced when BOD5 to TKN < 3
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o Denitrification is accomplished under anaerobic or near anaerobic conditions by
facultative heterotrophic bacteria (Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Achromobacter and
Bacillus etc.) commonly found in wastewater, which convert nitrate to either N2 gas by
bacterial metabolism, or nitrogen contained in cell mass.
o Denitrification occurs when oxygen levels are depleted and nitrate becomes the
primary electron acceptor source for microorganisms.
o Denitrifiers require organic carbon for energy, which could be the endogenous decay
of the organisms, the carbon present in the sewage, or the supplemental sources of
organic carbon (such as methanol).
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Attached Growth Nitrification
Suspended Growth Separate Stage Nitrification
Single State Nitrification Attached Growth Nitrification following Act. Sludge
Image Source : Crites R. Tchobanoglous G. Small and decentralised wastewater management systems. ; New York (NY): WCB McGraw Hill; 1998.
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Pre‐anoxic Denitrification Post‐anoxic Denitrification
Single Sludge System Two Sludge System
Image Source : Metcalf & Eddy (2013). Wastewater engineering: treatment and reuse. McGraw‐Hill Inc. (2003)
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Nitrogen Removal: Anammox Process

Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation (Anammox), discovered in the early nineties achieves bacterial
transformation of ammonium (NH4+) and nitrite (NO2‐) directly into nitrogen gas (N2) and water, instead of
passing through a two‐stage process of aerobic nitrification and anaerobic denitrification. The reaction is
carried out by Anammox bacteria (Candidatus Brocadia anammoxidans) belonging to the group of
planctomycete.
The Anammox reaction can be represented as: NH4+ + NO2‐ = N2 + 2H2O
Source : https://www.sswm.info/water‐nutrient‐
cycle/wastewater‐treatment/hardwares/semi‐
centralised‐wastewater‐treatments/anammox
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Nitrogen Removal: Conventional vs Anammox Process
Source : http://www.hitachi.com/businesses/infrastructure/product_site/water_environment/nitrogen_removal_system/index.html
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Nitrogen Removal: Conventional vs Anammox Process
Source : http://www.hitachi.com/businesses/infrastructure/product_site/water_environment/nitrogen_removal_system/index.html
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Nitrogen Removal: Air (or Ammonia) Stripping

Under properly controlled conditions, air stripping can
remove ammonia nitrogen from wastewater by converting it
to ammonia (NH3) which exists predominantly in the un‐
ionized, gaseous form at high pH levels.
The gaseous phase NH3 and aqueous phase NH4+ exist

together in equilibrium, controlled by the pH and the
temperature. NH4+ + OH‐ = NH3 + 2H2O
Dissolved ammonium is converted to gaseous phase and then

dispersed in air, thus allowing transfer of the ammonia from
wastewater to the air. The pH must be greater than 11 for Image Source :
http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/BSDW/OperatorCertificati
complete conversion to NH3. on/TrainingModules/ww08_advanced_wastewater_wb.pdf
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o Typically lime is the most common means for raising the pH.
o Enough lime must be added to precipitate the alkalinity and
to add the excess OH‐ ions for pH adjustment.
o The air to wastewater ratio ranging from 2000 to 6000 m3 of
air/m3 of wastewater is used for design.
o Tower depths are generally less than 7.5 m, and hydraulic
loading vary from 40 to 46 L/min.m2 of tower.
o Ammonia Stripping works well for 10‐100 mg/L ammonia
and is less expensive than nitrification‐denitrification, but it
does not work very efficiently in cold weather.
Image Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_stripping
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Image Source : http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Air_stripping Image Source : http://www.tecnium.es/en/lixiviate‐stripping/lixiviate‐stripping
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Phosphorous Removal
o Normally secondary treatment can only remove 1‐2 mg/l of phosphorus, so a large
excess of phosphorus remained in outlet from secondary units.
o Generally it appears as orthophosphate, polyphosphate and organically bound

phosphorus.
o Phosphate removal is currently achieved largely by chemical precipitation as it is

reliable in performance and easy to operate, but is expensive and causes an increase of
sludge volume by up to 40%.
o An alternative is the biological phosphate removal (BPR), which is accomplished by

sequencing and producing the appropriate environmental condition in the reactors.
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Phosphorous Removal: Biological Method

o Specific bacteria, Poly‐P heterotrophic bacteria also called polyphosphate
accumulating organisms (PAOs), have potential to accumulate large quantities of
phosphorus within their cells (up to 20% of their mass) under specific growth regimes.
o These are selectively enriched in the target wastewater, which requires, anaerobic‐
aerobic sequencing, COD:P ratios > 45, and high phosphorus levels.
o For effective removal, microorganisms are transfered back and forth between
controlled environments that first forces them to release phosphorus from their cells
and then induces them to absorb more phosphorus than they normally would.
o When the biomass enriched in these bacteria is separated from the treated water, the
phosphate levels in water is decreased substantially.
o These biosolids have a high fertilizer value.
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Enhanced Biological Phosphorous Removal (EBPR)
Image Source : https://www.lenntech.com/phosphorous‐removal.htm
The presence of a sufficient VFAs in the anaerobic reactor upstream of the aerobic reactors triggers the
development of a PAOs bacterial population that normally is not encountered in an ASP.
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Enhanced Biological Phosphorous Removal (EBPR)

o In the anaerobic environment, the PAOs absorb
VFAs in their cells in the form of internal
polymers such as polyhydroxy‐butyrate (PHB).
To supply the energy, the PAO use the energy of
previously stored polyphosphate, which is split
into orthophosphate (PO43‐) and then released
from the cell.
o In the subsequent aerobic reactor, the PHB is

used by the PAO as a energy source. Part of the
released energy is used to regenerate the
polyphosphate released in the anaerobic
reactor. In this process, phosphate is absorbed
from the liquid phase by the PAOs. Image Source : https://knowhowtogmo.wordpress.com/2011/02/01/biological‐
phosphorus‐removal‐from‐waste‐water/
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Biological Phosphorous Removal
Image Source : http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/BSDW/OperatorCertification/TrainingModules/ww08_advanced_wastewater_wb.pdf
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Phosphorous Removal: Chemical Method

Lime based precipitation:
Excess of lime is added to the wastewater causing phosphorus to form a precipitate with calcium
hydroxide. This precipitate can be flocculated and removed from the wastewater by settling
Source : http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/BSDW/OperatorCertification/TrainingModules/ww08_advanced_wastewater_wb.pdf
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Phosphorous Removal: Chemical Method

By Alum Flocculation:
When alum (aluminum sulfate) is added to wastewater, a precipitate of aluminum phosphate forms.
Aluminum phosphate is not a dense precipitate and requires flocculation with a polymer, and often
filtration to achieve adequate removal of the precipitate.
Source : http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/BSDW/OperatorCertification/TrainingModules/ww08_advanced_wastewater_wb.pdf
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Tertiary Treatment: Adsorption and Ion Exchange
Week 9- Lecture 45

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Adsorption for Wastewater Treatment

o Adsorption is typically used for removing a
wide range of compounds from industrial
wastewater, especially implemented for the
removal of various micropollutants, non-
degradable organic compounds, and a few
metals from wastewater, or source waters. Image Source : https://www.microtrac‐bel.com/en/tech/bel/entry40.html
o Adsorption is a mass transfer process

which involves the accumulation of
pollutant at the solid surfaces thereby
leaving the water phase.
Image Source : http://www.degremont.com/en/news/special‐
topics/micropollutants‐in‐water‐treatment‐processes/
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Adsorption Mechanism
Image Source : Tan and Hameed (2017). Insight into the adsorption kinetics
models for the removal of contaminants from aqueous solutions, Journal of
the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 74, 25‐48
Image Source : https://web.wpi.edu/Pubs/E‐project/Available/E‐project‐022813‐180922/unrestricted/IBP_MQP.pdf
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Types of Adsorption
Physical / Physisorption (van der Waals adsorption):
• Weak bonding
• Exothermic (of the order of 0.1 Kcal/mole)
• Reversible
Chemical / Chemisorption:
• Chemical bonding by reaction
• Exothermic (of the order of 10 Kcal/mole)
• May be irreversible
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Adsorbents used for Wastewater Treatment

Activated carbon is by far the most commonly used adsorbent and is
particularly suited to the removal of refractory organics.
Other adsorbents are used for specific applications:

 Natural or synthetic zeolites (alumina-silicate-polymers)
• Have a very homogenous pore distribution and polar bonding sites. Zeolites are a lot
more selective than active carbon;
 Natural clay minerals
• Used for the adsorption of very polar organic and inorganic matter (ions);
 Silica gel and activated aluminium
• Very polar adsorbents with large affinity for water – normally used to remove water from
an apolar medium;
 Silicic acid Source : https://emis.vito.be/en/techniekfiche/adsorption‐techniques
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Carbon Based Adsorbents
PAC ‐ Powdered activated carbon; particle size 1‐150 μm
GAC ‐ Granular activated carbon, particle size 0.5‐4 mm
EAC ‐ Extruded activated carbon, particle size 0.8‐4 mm
Image Source : http://aqua‐cache.com/components/wpu
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Adsorption on Activated Carbon

A typical carbon particle has numerous pores that provide a large
surface area for water treatment
Activated carbon is prepared to exhibits a high degree of porosity

and an extended surface area
Contaminants adhere to the surface of these carbon granules or

become trapped in the small pores of the activated carbon
Activated carbon filters are efficient to remove certain organics,

metals, chlorine, fluorine or radon and other micro pollutants
from water.
However, it is not effective for microbial contaminants, some Image Source :

metals, nitrates and other inorganic contaminants. https://www.elgalabwater.com/technologies/activated‐carbon
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Activated Carbon Filter
Image Source : Image Source : http://www.aesarabia.com/activated‐carbon‐filters/
https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/activated‐carbon‐filter‐7801791830.html
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Activated Carbon Filter
Image Source : https://www.euwa.com/activated‐
carbon‐filtration.html
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Activated Carbon Adsorption: Effectiveness

Active carbon adsorption can be implemented for removing the following parameters
(removal efficiency in brackets):
Removal efficiency (%) of chlorinated compounds from wastewater by
five commercially available types of activated carbon Source: Pavonia et al 2006
o BTEX (80‐99,9 %);
o PAH (98‐99,8 %);
o AOX (>90 %);
o COD;
o Colorants;
o Alcohols, xylenes;
o phenols (60 – 90 %);
o Zeolite adsorption;
o NH4‐N (flows with maximum 40 mg/l, 99%).
Source : https://emis.vito.be/en/techniekfiche/adsorption‐techniques
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Ion-Exchange
o Ion Exchange (IX) process is typically used for dissolved ionic impurities
and hardness.
o Contaminant ions in water is removed by exchange with another non-

objectionable, or less objectionable ionic substance.
Image Source : Source: Asian Water, March 2009
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Ion Exchange Process

o Ion exchange is a physical‐chemical process in which ions are swapped between a
solution phase and solid resin phase.
o The solid resin is typically an elastic three‐dimensional hydrocarbon network containing a
large number of ionizable groups electrostatically bound to the resin.
o A synthetic resin of relatively well defined ion exchange capacity echanges ions held
electrostatically on the surface with ions of similar charge dissolved in water.
o The target ion removal is accomplished by continuously passing water under pressure
through one or more columns packed with exchange resin.
o Ion exchangers hold the retained ion temporarily, and then release it to a regenerant
solution.
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Ion Exchange Resins

Ionizable groups attached to the resin bead determine the
functional capability of the resin, classified into four basic
categories:
 Strong Acid Cation (SAC)
 Strong Base Anion (SBA)
 Weak Acid Cation (WAC)
 Weak Base Anion (WBA)
Image Source :
https://www.cleanindiajournal.com/principle_of_ion_exchange/
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Ion Exchange Resins

Strong Acid Cation (SAC): Remove nearly all cations, replacing them with hydrogen ion
Weak Acid Cation (WAC): Remove cations associated with alkalinity, producing carbonic acid
Strong Base Anion (SBA): Remove all commonly encountered anions
Weak Base Anion (WBA): Readily re‐move sulfuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acids
Source : https://gewater.com/handbook/ext_treatment/ch_8_ionexchange.jsp
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Ion Exchange Resin Properties
Image Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion‐exchange_resin
Image Source : http://kbkf.kkft.bme.hu/labor/ion_exchange.pdf
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Ion Exchange: The Principle of Selectivity

o Different ions do interact differently with the functional groups of ion exchangers.
Some are strongly bound, some are less strongly bound.
o A more selective ion binds more strongly than a less selective ion.
o A weakly bound ion can preferably be displaced by a stronger binding ion. This
effect is called the principle of “selectivity”.
o The effect of selectivity can be used to remove distinct ions from water and to
replace them with others.
Image Source : Asian Water, March 2009
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Ion Exchange Typical Process
 Anion demineralizers
containing anion resin
 Cation demineralizers
containing cation resin
 Mixed‐bed demineralizers
containing both cation
and anion resins.
Source : http://kbkf.kkft.bme.hu/labor/ion_exchange.pdf
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Ion Exchange Typical Process
Source : https://iaspub.epa.gov/tdb/pages/treatment/treatmentOverview.do?treatmentProcessId=263654386
Source : http://kbkf.kkft.bme.hu/labor/ion_exchange.pdf
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Ion Exchange Process: Regeneration

The "reactivation" process of resin is called regeneration and is carried out using a strong
acid for the cation (as a source of hydronium ions) and caustic solution (e.g sodium
hydroxide) as a source of hydroxyl ions for the anion.
Regeneration of the exchange material involves three steps:

o Backwash: reversal of the normal flow to wash out any suspended matter in the bed and to
“fluff” the bed
o Introduction of the regeneration chemicals: to reactivate the resign by replacing the
contaminant ions with regenerant ions.
o Rinse: washing out the last traces of regenerant chemical
Units are usually installed in duplicate to permit continuous service during regeneration.
Images Source : http://kbkf.kkft.bme.hu/labor/ion_exchange.pdf
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Ion Exchange Process:
Co flow regeneration
Reverse flow regeneration
Images Source : http://dardel.info/IX/processes/regeneration.html
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Ion Exchange Process: Cocurrent vs Countercurrent
Images Source : http://kbkf.kkft.bme.hu/labor/ion_exchange.pdf
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Ion Exchange Limitations

o Exhaustion
o Differential pressure
o Temperature
o Radiation exposure
o Competitive ions
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Tertiary Treatment: Membrane Processes
Week 9- Lecture 46

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Membrane Processes for the Wastewater Treatment

Objectives: Removal of trace levels of all contaminants
Image Source :
https://canvas.jmu.edu/courses/1484140/pages/membrane‐filtration Image Source : https://www.nap.edu/read/13303/chapter/6
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Membrane Processes
o A membrane is a selective barrier that permits the separation of certain species in a fluid
by combination of sieving and diffusion mechanisms
o Membranes can separate particles and molecules and over a wide particle size range and
molecular weights
o Membrane processes are being used increasingly for the production of "pure" waters
from fresh water and seawater.
o Although expensive, membrane technology is advancing quickly becoming less
expensive, improving performance, and extending life expectancy.
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Membrane Operation
Image Source : http://www.porexfiltration.com/learning‐center/technology/tmf‐industrial‐wasterwater/
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Membrane Processes
According to the driving force of the operation it is possible to distinguish:
o Pressure driven operations – microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis
o Concentration driven operations – dialysis, pervaporation, forward osmosis, artificial
lung, gas separation
o Electric potential gradient driven operations – electrodialysis, membrane electrolysis,
electrofiltration, fuel cell
o Temperature gradient driven operations– membrane distillation
In general, wastewater treatment mostly used are pressure driven processes (microfiltration,
ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis) and electrodialysis.
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Membrane Processes: Removal Spectrum
o Reverse Osmosis (RO)
o Nanofiltration (NF)
o Ultrafiltration (UF)
o Microfiltration (MF)
Image Source :
https://canvas.jmu.edu/courses/1484140/pages/membrane‐filtration
MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI
IIT KHARAGPUR 63
Membrane Processes
Microfiltration and Ultrafiltration
o Rely on pure straining through porosity in the membranes.
o Pressure required is lower than RO and covers for frictional head losses
Nanofiltration
o Divalent cations and anions are preferentially rejected over the monovalent cations
and anions.
o Some organics with MW > 100 ‐500 are removed.
o There is an osmotic pressure developed but it is less than that of the RO process.
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Membrane Processes
Reverse Osmosis
o RO is the process of reversing the osmosis flow, forcing water through a membrane
from a concentrated solution to a dilute solution to produce filtered water. Sufficient
pressure is applied to the concentrated solution to overcome the osmotic pressure.
o Contaminants are reduced from the membrane’s high‐pressure side, and filtered water
is reduced from the low‐pressure side.
o RO modules may be staged in various designs, producing the highest‐quality permeate
with the least amount of waste.
o Typically, all particulates and 95% of dissolved salts are reduced. However, due to their
molecular porosity, RO do not remove dissolved gases, such as Cl2, CO2, and O2.
MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI
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Membrane Flow Geometries
Image Source : Fane A.G.., Wang R., Jia Y. (2011) Membrane Technology: Past, Present and Future. In: Wang L.K., Chen J.P., Hung YT., Shammas N.K. (eds) Membrane and Desalination
Technologies. Handbook of Environmental Engineering, vol 13. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
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Membrane Configuration
Image Source : http://archive.sswm.info/category/step‐rrr‐business‐development/module‐2‐sector‐inputs/technological‐options/technological‐20
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Membrane Configuration: Spiral wound
Image Source : http://www.chemtechfiltration.com/membrane_configuration.html
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Membrane Configuration: Hollow Fiber
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Membrane Configuration: Tubular
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Typical Membranes Reactors
Image Source : https://www.wigen.com/products/reverse‐osmosis‐nanofiltration.php
MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI
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Typical Membranes
Applications
o Desalting
o Softening
o Trace metals and ions removal
o Removing color, odor, and other

organic contaminants
o Removing microbial contaminations
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Electrodialysis (ED)
o Transfer ions of dissolved salts across membranes, leaving purified water behind. A
negative electrode (cathode) attracts cations, and a positive electrode (anode) attracts
anions.
o Ion movement is induced by direct current electrical fields.
o Systems are compartmentalized in stacks by alternating cation and anion transfer
membranes.
o Typically, 40‐60% of dissolved ions are rejected. Further improvement in water quality is
obtained by operation of stacks in series.
o ED processes do not remove particulate contaminants or weakly ionized contaminants,
such as silica.
MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI
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Electrodialysis (ED)
Image Source : Barakat, M. (2011). New Trends in Removing Heavy Metals from Industrial Wastewater, Arabian Journal of Chemistry 4(4):361‐377
MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI
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Membrane Modules Suitability
Process Tubular Hollow Fiber Plate and Frame Spiral Wound
Microfiltration Good Not suitable Good Not suitable

Ultrafiltration Good Adequate Good Adequate
Nanofiltration Good Good Good Adequate
Reverse
Adequate Good Adequate Good
Osmosis
Pervaporation Adequate Good Good Good
Electrodialysis Not suitable Not suitable Good Not suitable
Source : https://www.climate‐policy‐watcher.org/wastewater‐treatment/membrane‐processes‐for‐advanced‐wastewater‐treatment.html
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Membrane Fouling
Chemical fouling:
Potential deposition and accumulation of constituent (Ca and Mg salts etc.) present in the
feed stream on the membrane.
Biological fouling:
Various microorganisms can deposit on membrane surface.
Control of fouling:
Controlled by pretreatment of wastewater: Prefilteration, Chlorination, UV application in
upstream of the membrane
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Membrane Cleaning and Concentrate Disposal

o Membranes can be cleaned physically, biologically or chemically.
o Physical cleaning includes sponges, water jets or back flushing using a permeate.
o Biological cleaning uses biocides/disinfectants to remove all viable microorganisms,

whereas chemical cleaning involves the use of acids and bases to remove foulants.
Concentrate disposal
o Combine with reclaimed water and release to surface water.
o Deep Well injection ‐ Limited by Geology
o Evaporation/Crystallization ‐ Capacity limited
o Irrigating golf courses and roadway vegetation ‐ Environmental limitations
o Saline wetlands ‐ Capacity Limited
MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI
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Membrane Processes: Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages o High performance
o Compact units: less space needed than conventional treatment schemes
o Simple operation
o Membranes available can be used to separate many kinds of contaminants
o Disinfection can be performed without chemicals
Disadvantages o Membrane fouling
o Production of polluted water (Reject / Concentrated and Backwashing)
o Membranes have to be replaced on a regular basis
Source : http://archive.sswm.info/category/step‐rrr‐business‐development/module‐2‐sector‐inputs/technological‐options/technological‐20
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Tertiary Treatment: Disinfection and Chemical Treatments
Week 9- Lecture 47

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79
Solids Removal: Coagulation, Sedimentation, and/or Filtration

o The effluent from secondary systems may have small particles that are too small to
be removed by settling.
o These could be removed by sedimentation and/or filtration with addition of
coagulants.
o A simple sand filtration after secondary sedimentation tank could also effectively
remove remaining solids in secondary effluent.
o Usually inorganic coagulants are used, however a blending of organic and inorganic
coagulants could also be used.
o Inorganic coagulants facilitate sweep floc coagulation and organic coagulants helps
sludge generation.
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Solids Removal: Coagulation, Sedimentation, and/or Filtration

o Alum, lime, or iron salts are chemicals added to the watewater to remove fine
solids. With the chemicals, the smaller particles clump or 'floc' together into large
masses. The larger masses of particles will settle out in the sedimentation tank or
retained in filtration.
Organic Coagulants Inorganic Coagulants

Polyamine Al. Sulfate & Al. chloride
Melamine Formaldehydes Polyaluminum Chloride
Tannins Ferric Sulfate & Ferric chloride
PolyDADMAC Aluminum Chlorohydrate
Polyacrylamide Ferrous Sulfate
MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI
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Chemical (Co-)Precipitation of Dissolved Metal Ions

o Several heave metal ions such as Cu, Ni, Fe etc. could be
removed by chemical precipitation. Lime may be used to
raise the pH to a level where target metal can precipitate
as metal hydroxides.
o Also few metals such as As gets attached to the flocs

through adsorption (co‐precipitation). For removal
through co‐precipitation, a coagulant (alum or iron salt )
may be added to generate micro‐flocs.
o During the coagulation‐flocculation process many micro‐

particles and charged ions are attached onto the flocs.
Subsequently sedimentation/filtration could be used to
separate the flocs, together with the co‐precipitated Image Source : http://www.porexfiltration.com/learning‐
center/technology/precipitation‐microfiltration/
metal ions.
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Advanced Oxidation Processes

o Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are used to treat wastewater having components with
high chemical stability and/or low biodegradability, and targets the complete mineralization
of pollutants to CO2, water, and inorganic compounds, or at least their transformation into
more innocuous products.
o At times, AOPs are used as pre‐treatments to biological processes, as the partial

decomposition of non‐biodegradable organic pollutants can lead to biodegradable
intermediates.
o The AOPs essentially target oxidation through highly reactive •OH radicals, which could be
produced using different reagent systems, which include photochemical degradation
processes (UV/O3, UV/H2O2), photocatalysis (TiO2/UV, photo‐Fenton reactives), and chemical
oxidation processes (O3, O3/H2O2, H2O2/Fe2+).
AOPs → •OH− (+ pollutant) → CO2 + H2O + inorganic ions

MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI
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Image Source : Poyatos, J.M., Muñio, M.M., Almecija, M.C. et al. Water
Air Soil Pollut (2010) 205: 187. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270‐009‐
0065‐1
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Advanced Oxidation Processes: Mechanism
Image Source : https://www.sswm.info/sswm‐university‐course/module‐6‐disaster‐situations‐planning‐and‐preparedness/further‐resources‐0/advanced‐oxidation‐processes
MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI
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Source : https://www.sswm.info/sswm‐university‐course/module‐6‐disaster‐situations‐planning‐and‐preparedness/further‐resources‐0/advanced‐oxidation‐processes
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Disinfection
o Depending on the end‐use of the effluent or discharge standards, it may be required to
remove pathogens from secondary treated effluent. For the purpose, treated wastewater can
be disinfected by chlorination, ozonation or by using ultraviolet light.
Common Disinfectants:
o NaOCl
o Ca(OCl)2
o Cl2 gas
o Chloramines
o Ozone
o UV irradiation
MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI
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Disinfection:
o Disinfection normally involves the injection of a chlorine solution at the head end of a
chlorine contact basin. The chlorine dosage depends upon the strength of the
wastewater and other factors, but dosages of 5 to 15 mg/l are common.
o Chlorine contact basins are usually rectangular channels, with baffles to prevent short‐
circuiting, designed to provide a contact time of about 30 minutes. However, to meet
advanced wastewater treatment requirements, a chlorine contact time of as long as
120 minutes is sometimes required for specific irrigation uses of reclaimed wastewater.
o Ozone and ultra violet (uv) irradiation can also be used for disinfection but these
methods of disinfection are less common.
o The bactericidal effects of chlorine and other disinfectants are dependent upon pH,
contact time, organic content, and effluent temperature.
Source : http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0551e/t0551e05.htm
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Disinfection
Images Source : https://www.sswm.info/node/8295
MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI
IIT KHARAGPUR 89
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Week 9 - Tertiary (Advanced) Treatment Processes - LM - Watermark

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20‐09‐2018

WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND RECYCLING

Dr. MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI

Tertiary or Advanced Treatment ?

Tertiary or Advanced Treatment of Wastewater

Waste Water Treatment

Tertiary or Advanced Treatment of Wastewater

Tertiary or Advanced Treatment of Wastewater

Why Tertiary Treatment ?

 Deteriorating water quality of natural resources

 Wastewater reuse and recycling requirements enforced by

To better protect public health and environment

Tertiary Treatment Objectives

o To remove specific organic and inorganic constituents, and emerging

o To remove residual nutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorous)

o To reduce total dissolved solids (TDS)

Tertiary Treatment Options

Tertiary Treatment Options

Tertiary Treatment Approaches

WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND RECYCLING

Dr. MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI

Why Remove Nutrients ?

Why Remove Nutrients ?

Nutrient Removal: Options

Nitrogen Removal: Nitrification - Denitrification

Bacteria remove nitrogen from

 The conversion of ammonium to

 The reduction of nitrate (NO3‐) to

Nitrogen Removal: Nitrification - Denitrification

Nitrogen Removal: Nitrification - Denitrification

Nitrogen Removal: Nitrification - Denitrification

Nitrogen Removal: Nitrification - Denitrification

Nitrogen Removal: Nitrification - Denitrification

Nitrogen Removal: Nitrification - Denitrification

Nitrogen Removal: Nitrification - Denitrification

Nitrogen Removal: Anammox Process

The Anammox reaction can be represented as: NH4+ + NO2‐ = N2 + 2H2O

Nitrogen Removal: Conventional vs Anammox Process

Nitrogen Removal: Conventional vs Anammox Process

Nitrogen Removal: Air (or Ammonia) Stripping

The gaseous phase NH3 and aqueous phase NH4+ exist

Dissolved ammonium is converted to gaseous phase and then

Nitrogen Removal: Air (or Ammonia) Stripping

Nitrogen Removal: Air (or Ammonia) Stripping

o Generally it appears as orthophosphate, polyphosphate and organically bound

o Phosphate removal is currently achieved largely by chemical precipitation as it is

o An alternative is the biological phosphate removal (BPR), which is accomplished by

Phosphorous Removal: Biological Method

Enhanced Biological Phosphorous Removal (EBPR)

Enhanced Biological Phosphorous Removal (EBPR)

o In the subsequent aerobic reactor, the PHB is

Biological Phosphorous Removal

Phosphorous Removal: Chemical Method

Phosphorous Removal: Chemical Method

WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND RECYCLING

Dr. MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI

Adsorption for Wastewater Treatment

o Adsorption is a mass transfer process

Adsorbents used for Wastewater Treatment

Other adsorbents are used for specific applications:

Carbon Based Adsorbents

Adsorption on Activated Carbon

Activated carbon is prepared to exhibits a high degree of porosity