Analysis of Granulometric Composition of Algal Suspensions in Wastewater Treated with Hydroponic Method

Bawiec, Aleksandra; Pawęska, Katarzyna; Pulikowski, Krzysztof

doi:10.1007/s11270-017-3556-5

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…A novel method of assessing the dynamic growth of algae in biologically treated wastewater is the use of a laser granulometer (Garbowski et al 2017b ; Bawiec et al 2017 ). Laser granulometry is used for analysis of particle size distribution in aqueous solutions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the Algae Growth Dynamics in the Hydroponic System with LEDs Nighttime Lighting Using the Laser Granulometry Method

Bawiec

Garbowski

Pawęska

et al. 2019

Water Air Soil Pollut

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The latest research focused on the analysis of algal growth and the dynamics of their growth use the laser diffraction technique, enabling determination of the volume fraction of suspended particles with specific diameters in aqueous solution as well as their fractal dimensions. This study focuses on the possibility of using a laser granulometer to assess the growth dynamics of algae growing in treated wastewater in a hydroponic system, supported by artificial lighting with the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). On the basis of the measurements, the fractal dimension (Df) of algae was determined. An attempt was made to apply the modified Avrami equation describing the crystallization process for the analysis of algae growth dynamics in wastewater. Presented results show that the fractal dimension of suspended matter, largely created by algae, in the case of additional lighting of the hydroponic system at night, takes lower values (Df ~ 1.0) than in sewage without additional light source (Df ~ 2.0). In each measurement series, the fractal dimension of particles in the tank with lighting in the end of the experiment was about 33–43% lower than in the tank without LEDs. The analysis of changes in particle diameters calculated on the basis of Avrami equation largely corresponds with the stages of algae growth. During the measurement series with lower air temperatures, the growth of algae in the tank with additional light was faster than in the tank without LEDs. The obtained information can be the basis for determining the effective method of removing algae from wastewater treated in the hydroponic system, before they are discharged to the receiver in order to prevent the outflow of increased concentrations of total suspended solids.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the Algae Growth Dynamics in the Hydroponic System with LEDs Nighttime Lighting Using the Laser Granulometry Method

Bawiec

Garbowski

Pawęska

et al. 2019

Water Air Soil Pollut

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“…Together with other microorganisms, organic matter, and mineral matter, they form flocs which are characterised by multimodal size distribution and varied strength (Fettweis et al 2014). Determination of the size distribution of those particles in wastewater allows the choice of a suitable method of their removal (Bawiec et al 2017;Kuśnierz and Wiercik 2016;Huang et al 2010). That parameter, apart from density and porosity, is one of the factors in the estimation of the ability of flocs for sedimentation or flotation (Bawiec et al 2017;Wu and He 2012;Barbusiński and Kościelniak 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Changes of Particle Size Distribution and Biological Composition of Flocs in Wastewater During the Growth of Algae

Garbowski

Richter

Pietryka

2019

Water Air Soil Pollut

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The process of growth of algae can be described using the images from microscopic analysis. The new approach to assessment of the growth dynamics of algae used the data of granulometric composition of liquid medium and the modified Avrami equation relating to the crystallisation process. This paper presents a comparison of both methods (granulometric and microscopic) for the analysis of the dynamics of changes in the growth of algae in wastewater. The experimental set-up consisted of four glass tanks filled with biologically treated sewage, in which algae grew. The cultivation of algae was carried out for 8 weeks. During this period, the granulometric analysis and microscopic observations of sewage were conducted. The study demonstrated that with increase in the size of flocs in treated sewage, biomass of algae was also increased. Therefore, the results obtained with the method of laser diffraction are in agreement with microscopic observation of flocs. Granulometric analysis could be, next to microscopic analysis, a method for the estimation of the dynamics of changes in the growth of algae in sewage. This knowledge will allow to selection of a suitable method of wastewater treatment and algal separation.

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Changes in the granulometric composition of particles in wastewater flowing through a hydroponic lagoon used as the third stage in a wastewater treatment plant

Bawiec

Pawęska

2020

Water Science and Technology

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Wastewater treatment in semi-natural systems, such as a hydroponic lagoon operating as the third stage of purification, is becoming more and more popular because of the efficiency of nutrient removal. Very often treatment processes in hydroponic ditches are supported by algal growth, which can cause an increase in the concentration of total suspended solids in the outflow from the wastewater treatment plant. The aim of this study was to analyse changes in the granulometric composition of particles in the hydroponic lagoon operating as the third stage of wastewater purification in a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Poland. Measurements of the particle sizes were made with the use of the laser diffraction method. The results showed that the size of the particles in the hydroponic lagoon varied from 0.01 to 1000 μm. Analyses of the average diameters D(3.2) and D(4.3) showed that particles have low reactivity but good sedimentation properties and their fractal dimensions are usually higher than 2.0, which indicated that they had well-developed surfaces. Most of the particles flowing out of the WWTP were probably algae or particles that could adsorb other pollutants onto their surfaces. The use of laser granulometry for particle identification might be useful in characterizing the total suspended solids as well as helping to develop cheaper and more efficient methods for its removal.

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Analysis of Granulometric Composition of Algal Suspensions in Wastewater Treated with Hydroponic Method

Cited by 5 publications

References 26 publications

Analysis of the Algae Growth Dynamics in the Hydroponic System with LEDs Nighttime Lighting Using the Laser Granulometry Method

Analysis of the Algae Growth Dynamics in the Hydroponic System with LEDs Nighttime Lighting Using the Laser Granulometry Method

Analysis of Changes of Particle Size Distribution and Biological Composition of Flocs in Wastewater During the Growth of Algae

Changes in the granulometric composition of particles in wastewater flowing through a hydroponic lagoon used as the third stage in a wastewater treatment plant

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