Waste water may be collected from homes or commercial properties. Toilets, dishwashers and plumbing fixtures are among the largest contributors of sewage water in the home setting. Manufacturing plants form the bulk of the sewage that originates from commercial premises. A waste water purification system helps to separate the solid waste from the water so that the latter can be reused.
There are several stages through which this process occurs. These include screening, primary treatment, secondary treatment and tertiary treatment. Screening involves the physical removal of large objects such as pieces of wood, cloth, plastic and large rocks. The same is repeated during the primary stage. For the finer particles (such as grit and sand), sedimentation and aeration are done. The residual solid settling at the bottom at this stage is termed sludge.
In the secondary stage, the main process that takes place is the removal of organic waste. Large tanks known as digesters are used for this process. Bacteria with both aerobic and anaerobic activity are used here. The breakdown of the organic material reduces the effluent nutritional content and this hampers further growth of bacteria. Sedimentation is repeated at this stage to yield secondary effluent that is pumped to a holding pond.
The tertiary stage comprises a number of processes. Biological filters help to get rid of any residual biological waste. Other types of waste that are removed here include ammonia, grease, oil and foam. The final process before the effluent is released is disinfection. Chlorination, UV radiation or ozone may all be used. Odor is also eliminated during this stage.
Odor is produced during the process of digestion. One of the commonest gases that results in the production of odor is hydrogen sulfide. Carbon reactors are usually used to get rid of this odor. Contact media lined with bio-slimes and pellets of chlorine are incorporated into the reactors. Alternatives that may be considered include calcium nitrate and hydrogen peroxide.
Variations may exist in the exact processes that are involved but the end result is more or less the same. One of the alternatives uses enzymes as opposed to micro-organisms in the secondary and the tertiary stages. Whereas bacteria produce these enzymes in the conventional method, the blend of enzyme in this alternative process is predetermined. The main downside is that it may not be possible to determine all the enzymes required hence a higher chance of not breaking down all the organic matter.
Treated water is mainly used for agricultural activities once it leaves the plant. With proper technology, it can be reused for domestic purposes. Sludge is also treated before being disposed of. Small scale plants carry this out through composting while aerobic and anaerobic digestion are used for mid-sized and large plants. Incineration may be used in rare circumstances.
A set of rules and regulations guide the installment of purification plants. The rules vary from place to place depending on the local public health authority in place. You need to be conversant with those that are applicable in your specific case. Generally, the methods that are adopted should be the same as what occurs naturally.
There are several stages through which this process occurs. These include screening, primary treatment, secondary treatment and tertiary treatment. Screening involves the physical removal of large objects such as pieces of wood, cloth, plastic and large rocks. The same is repeated during the primary stage. For the finer particles (such as grit and sand), sedimentation and aeration are done. The residual solid settling at the bottom at this stage is termed sludge.
In the secondary stage, the main process that takes place is the removal of organic waste. Large tanks known as digesters are used for this process. Bacteria with both aerobic and anaerobic activity are used here. The breakdown of the organic material reduces the effluent nutritional content and this hampers further growth of bacteria. Sedimentation is repeated at this stage to yield secondary effluent that is pumped to a holding pond.
The tertiary stage comprises a number of processes. Biological filters help to get rid of any residual biological waste. Other types of waste that are removed here include ammonia, grease, oil and foam. The final process before the effluent is released is disinfection. Chlorination, UV radiation or ozone may all be used. Odor is also eliminated during this stage.
Odor is produced during the process of digestion. One of the commonest gases that results in the production of odor is hydrogen sulfide. Carbon reactors are usually used to get rid of this odor. Contact media lined with bio-slimes and pellets of chlorine are incorporated into the reactors. Alternatives that may be considered include calcium nitrate and hydrogen peroxide.
Variations may exist in the exact processes that are involved but the end result is more or less the same. One of the alternatives uses enzymes as opposed to micro-organisms in the secondary and the tertiary stages. Whereas bacteria produce these enzymes in the conventional method, the blend of enzyme in this alternative process is predetermined. The main downside is that it may not be possible to determine all the enzymes required hence a higher chance of not breaking down all the organic matter.
Treated water is mainly used for agricultural activities once it leaves the plant. With proper technology, it can be reused for domestic purposes. Sludge is also treated before being disposed of. Small scale plants carry this out through composting while aerobic and anaerobic digestion are used for mid-sized and large plants. Incineration may be used in rare circumstances.
A set of rules and regulations guide the installment of purification plants. The rules vary from place to place depending on the local public health authority in place. You need to be conversant with those that are applicable in your specific case. Generally, the methods that are adopted should be the same as what occurs naturally.
About the Author:
We use the latest waste water purification system technology that is a better alternative to septic tanks. Find out more by visiting our website at http://proteinmatrixllc.com.