Research of polystyrene floating material application parameters for wastewater treatment

Abstract

The article reveals researches aimed to estimate if it is possible to intensify wastewater treatment processes by means of floating feed. There was a lab-scale experiment carried out in conditions of artificial wastewater treatment. Laboratory model to perform conventional treatment process was assembled and included aeration reactor and secondary clarifier. It is stated that optimal amount of floating material inside the reactors has to be no less 10% of volume; otherwise, it may not provide positive result. However, if this amount is higher than 30% of volume it may require higher costs. Three ratios were chosen for current lab-scale experiment: 10%, 20% and 30% of reactor volume. In this viewpoint there were four laboratory models in operation with three different amount of floating material inside. The fourth model has no floating media to compare the parameters of operation. The material in use is made of polystyrene to provide its floating ability and accumulation of sludge biomass. The samples of wastewater were investigated to according to the requirements of standard methods. Model with floating material provided 95% efficiency for BOD5 removal and 83% efficiency of nitrogen removal, comparing to efficiency of 92% and 55% correspondingly in the model with no floating material.