Experimental comparison of the suitability of filter materials for the removal of selected micro-pollutants occurring in greywater

Bektur Nuradilov

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Abstract This study aimed to experimentally compare the suitability of different additives to filter materials for the removal of selected micro-pollutants commonly found in greywater. Three filter materials additives were evaluated including limestone, woodchips, biochar 5% with reference to default structure. The removal efficiency of these materials was assessed for total organic carbon (TOC), total carbon (TC), inorganic carbon (IC), total nitrogen (TN), ammonium ions (NH4+), boron (B), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), benzotriazole (BTR), and ibuprofen (IBU) at varying saturation rates and contact times. The results demonstrated that biochar 5% was the most effective filter material in removing TOC, TN, and Ni, IBU, and BTR across all experimental setups. Limestone displayed variable efficiency but performed better at a 30% saturation and 22 hours of contact time for TOC, TN, Cu, Ni, BTR and showed excellent performance and was most dominant in Zn removal. Woodchips exhibited lower removal efficiencies compared to limestone and biochar 5% but was the only filter material to remove TC to some extent. Regarding the remaining TC, IC, NH4+ and B, selected filter materials are not recommended to be used for removal purposes of these selected micropollutants. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the selection of suitable filter materials for greywater treatment systems, emphasizing the importance of optimizing contact times and saturation rates for effective removal of micro-pollutants. Further research is needed to better understand the complex interactions between filter materials, contact times, saturation rates, and contaminant removal to develop more efficient and sustainable greywater treatment systems.

Keywords

Greywater, filtration, woodchips, limestone, biochar 5%

Jazyk práce: English

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 29. 3. 2024

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedúci: prof. RNDr. Dana Komínková, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Adam Jan Sochacki

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Bachelor programme:
Landscaping