Home Hydraulic characteristics of integrated settler based biofilm reactor as onsite sanitation system
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Hydraulic characteristics of integrated settler based biofilm reactor as onsite sanitation system

  • Surya Pratap Singh , Meena Kumari Sharma EMAIL logo and Rakesh Chandra Gaur
Published/Copyright: August 18, 2021
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill
Submit Manuscript Author Information
International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering
From the journal International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering Volume 19 Issue 12

Abstract

The present study identifies the hydraulic efficiency of a novel onsite sanitation system at variable hydraulic shock loading conditions. The system consisted of three chambers, each working as an up-flow anaerobic bioreactor, accommodated within a single unit. The hydraulic characteristics were identified with the help of residence time distribution (RTD) analysis by step feeding of lithium chloride (LiCl) solution into the system. The experiments were run at variable hydraulic loading conditions at different peak flow factors (PFF) of 1, 2, 4 and 6 while maintaining 24-h hydraulic retention time. As revealed in the RTD analysis, the biofilm reactor achieved a very good hydraulic efficiency that varied from 0.76 to 0.81 at PFF 1, 2 and 4. Although in the case of PFF6, it was comparatively low. It was noted that the dispersion number was always below 0.2 at variable hydraulic shock loading conditions under different PFFs, which indicated that the reactor behaved perfectly between mixed-flow and plug-flow reactor. The system was also able to achieve good pollutant removal efficiency for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS) under all PFFs, which was more than 68 and 75%, respectively.

Keywords: anaerobic biofilm reactor; hydraulic characteristics; onsite sanitation; peak flow; residence time distribution
Abbreviations: ABR; Anaerobic Baffled Reactor; APHA; American Public Health Association; COD; Chemical Oxygen Demand; CST; Conventional Septic Tank; HRT; Hydraulic Retention Time; ISBR; Integrated Settler Based Biofilm Reactor; LiCl; Lithium Chloride; MBBR; Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor; PFF; Peak Flow Factors; RTD; Residence Time Distribution; STP; Sewage Treatment Plant; TSS; Total Suspended Solids
Corresponding author: Meena Kumari Sharma, Department of Civil Engineering, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, 303007, Rajasthan, India, E-mail:

Funding source: Department of Science and Technology, Government of Rajasthan

Award Identifier / Grant number: F8(9) DST/SSD/2016/Part-1/3809

Acknowledgement

We are also grateful to the STP team (Aquacare Solution Enviro Engineers) of Manipal University Jaipur for their continuous support.

  1. Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.

  2. Research funding: This research project is financially sanctioned by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Rajasthan, India, through Project file no. F8(9) DST/SSD/2016/Part-1/3809.

  3. Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.

References

Alaerts, G. J., S. Veenstra, M. Bentvelsen, and L. A. Van Duijl. 1993. “Feasibility of Anaerobic Sewage Treatment in Sanitation Strategies in Developing Countries.” Water Science and Technology 27: 179–86, https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.1993.0042.Search in Google Scholar

Anderson, G. K., C. M. M. Campos, C. A. L. Chernicharo, and L. C. Smith. 1991. “Evaluation of the Inhibitory Effects of Lithium when Used as a Tracer for Anaerobic Digesters.” Water Research 25 (7): 755–60, https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1354(91)90154-I.Search in Google Scholar

APHA. 1995. American Public Health Association - Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association (APHA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF).Search in Google Scholar

Cullimore, D. R., and T. Viraraghavan. 1994. “Microbiological Aspects of Anaerobic Filter Treatment of Septic Tank Effluent at Low Temperatures.” Environmental Technology 15 (2): 165–73, https://doi.org/10.1080/09593339409385416.Search in Google Scholar

Ducoste, J., K. Carlson, W. Bellamy, and K. Carlson. 2001. “The Integrated Disinfection Design Framework Approach to Reactor Hydraulics Characterization Combined CFD and Biokinetic Modelling View Project the Integrated Disinfection Design Framework Approach to Reactor Hydraulics Characterization.” Journal of Water Supply: Research & Technology - Aqua 50 (4): 245–61, https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2001.0021.Search in Google Scholar

Grobicki, A., and D. C. Stuckey. 1992. “Hydrodynamic Characteristics of the Anaerobic Baffled Reactor.” Water Research 26 (3): 371–8, https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1354(92)90034-2.Search in Google Scholar

Hu, X., A. D. Ilgun, A. Passalacqua, R. O. Fox, F. Bertola, M. Milosevic, and F. Visscher. 2021. “CFD Simulations of Stirred-Tank Reactors for Gasliquid and Gas-Liquid-Solid Systems Using OpenFOAM®.” International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering 19 (2): 193–207, https://doi.org/10.1515/ijcre-2019-0229.Search in Google Scholar

IS: 2470-(Part-1). 1985. Code of Practice for Installation of Septic Tanks: Part-1, Design Criteria and Construction (Second Revision). New Delhi: Bureau of Indian Standards.Search in Google Scholar

Ji, J. Y., K. Zheng, Y. J. Xing, and P. Zheng. 2012. “Hydraulic Characteristics and Their Effects on Working Performance of Compartmentalized Anaerobic Reactor.” Bioresource Technology 116: 47–52, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.04.026.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Levenspiel, O. 1972. Chemical Reaction Engineering. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Inc..Search in Google Scholar

Li, S., J. Nan, and F. Gao. 2016. “Hydraulic Characteristics and Performance Modeling of a Modified Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (MABR).” Chemical Engineering Journal 284: 85–92, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.08.129.Search in Google Scholar

Mansouri, Y., A. A. Zinatizadeh, P. Mohammadi, M. Irandoust, A. Akhbari, and R. Davoodi. 2012. “Hydraulic Characteristics Analysis of an Anaerobic Rotatory Biological Contactor (AnRBC) Using Tracer Experiments and Response Surface Methodology (RSM).” Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering 29 (7): 891–902, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-011-0269-0.Search in Google Scholar

Metcalf, L., and H. P. Eddy. 2003. Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse, 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.Search in Google Scholar

Morgan-Sagastume, J. M., B. Jiménez, and A. Noyola. 1997. “Tracer Studies in a Laboratory and Pilot Scale Uasb Reactor.” Environmental Technology 18 (8): 817–25, https://doi.org/10.1080/09593331808616600.Search in Google Scholar

Persson, J., N. L. G. Somes, and T. H. F. Wong. 1999. “Hydraulics Efficiency of Constructed Wetlands and Ponds.” Water Science and Technology 40: 291–300, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1223(99)00448-5.Search in Google Scholar

Renuka, R., S. Mariraj Mohan, and S. Amal Raj. 2016. “Hydrodynamic Behaviour and its Effects on the Treatment Performance of Panelled Anaerobic Baffle-Cum Filter Reactor.” International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 13 (1): 307–18, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-015-0824-z.Search in Google Scholar

Sarathai, Y., T. Koottatep, and A. Morel. 2010. “Hydraulic Characteristics of an Anaerobic Baffled Reactor as Onsite Wastewater Treatment System.” Journal of Environmental Sciences 22 (9): 1319–26, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(09)60257-6.Search in Google Scholar

Sharma, M. K., A. Khursheed, and A. A. Kazmi. 2014. “Modified Septic Tank-Anaerobic Filter Unit as a Two-Stage Onsite Domestic Wastewater Treatment System.” Environmental Technology 35 (17): 2183–93, https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2014.896950.Search in Google Scholar

Sharma, M. K., and A. A. Kazmi. 2015. “Effect of Physical Property of Supporting Media and Variable Hydraulic Loading on Hydraulic Characteristics of Advanced Onsite Wastewater Treatment System.” Environmental Technology 36 (11): 1414–22, https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2014.992480.Search in Google Scholar

Singh, S. P., P. Yadav, C. Kumar, M. K. Sharma, and R. C. Gaur. 2021. “Performance of an Integrated Settler Based Anaerobic Biofilm Reactor as Onsite Sanitation System.” IETE Journal of Research, https://doi.org/10.1080/03772063.2021.1874840.Search in Google Scholar

Thackston, E. L., F. D. Shields, and P. R. Schroeder. 1987. “Residence Time Distributions of Shallow Basins.” Journal of Environmental Engineering 113 (6): 1319–32, https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(1987)113:6(1319).10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(1987)113:6(1319)Search in Google Scholar

Tomlinson, E. J., and B. Chambers. 1979. The Effect of Longitudinal Mixing on the Settleability of Activated Sludge. Steevenage, England: Medmenham Laboratory.Search in Google Scholar

Toumi, L. B., M. Fedailaine, and K. Allia. 2008. “Modelling Three-phase Fluidized Bed Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment.” International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering 6 (1): 1–16.10.2202/1542-6580.1449Search in Google Scholar

Xu, M., L. Ding, K. Xu, J. Geng, and H. Ren. 2016. “Flow Patterns and Optimization of Compartments for the Anaerobic Baffled Reactor.” Desalination and Water Treatment 57 (1): 345–52, https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2014.970580.Search in Google Scholar

Yang, C. Y., Y. S. Chien, J. H. Chou, H. Y. Li, and C. W. Hsieh. 2021. “Application of Cholette’s Model in Non-ideal Mixing CSTR: A Simulation Study on Dynamic Behavior.” International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering 19 (4): 341–67, https://doi.org/10.1515/ijcre-2020-0197.Search in Google Scholar

Young, J. C. 1991. “Factors Affecting the Design and Performance of Upflow Anaerobic Filters.” Water Science and Technology 24: 133–55, https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.1991.0222.Search in Google Scholar

Supplementary Material

The online version of this article offers supplementary material (https://doi.org/10.1515/ijcre-2021-0112).

Received: 2021-05-02
Accepted: 2021-08-01
Published Online: 2021-08-18

© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Articles
  3. The strategy developed for high conversion and the multiplicity problems of biochemical reaction in a real CSTR with Cholette’s model
  4. Investigation on gas induction of liquid–gas ejector in jet loop reactor
  5. Design and simulation of a novel FOIMC-PD/P double-loop control structure for CSTRs and bioreactors
  6. Simulation of flow field characteristics in scheelite leaching tank with H2SO4–H3PO4
  7. Hydraulic characteristics of integrated settler based biofilm reactor as onsite sanitation system
  8. Potential of a mixed culture of microalgae for accumulation of beta-carotene under different stress conditions
  9. Simulation of heat transfer characteristics of tire particles in rotary kiln reactor
  10. Simultaneous removal of organics and bioenergy production by microbial fuel cell: modeling approach
  11. Optimization of slanted grooved micromixer with a serpentine channel at a lower Reynolds number
https://doi.org/10.1515/ijcre-2021-0112
Keywords for this article
anaerobic biofilm reactor; hydraulic characteristics; onsite sanitation; peak flow; residence time distribution

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Articles
  3. The strategy developed for high conversion and the multiplicity problems of biochemical reaction in a real CSTR with Cholette’s model
  4. Investigation on gas induction of liquid–gas ejector in jet loop reactor
  5. Design and simulation of a novel FOIMC-PD/P double-loop control structure for CSTRs and bioreactors
  6. Simulation of flow field characteristics in scheelite leaching tank with H2SO4–H3PO4
  7. Hydraulic characteristics of integrated settler based biofilm reactor as onsite sanitation system
  8. Potential of a mixed culture of microalgae for accumulation of beta-carotene under different stress conditions
  9. Simulation of heat transfer characteristics of tire particles in rotary kiln reactor
  10. Simultaneous removal of organics and bioenergy production by microbial fuel cell: modeling approach
  11. Optimization of slanted grooved micromixer with a serpentine channel at a lower Reynolds number
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 12.9.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijcre-2021-0112/html
Scroll to top button