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Filtration

Filtration is crucial in wastewater treatment, particularly for removing impurities from surface water that does not undergo natural filtration. Filters are classified based on media type, depth, and filtration rate, with methods including slow and rapid sand filters, each having distinct advantages and disadvantages. Membrane filtration technologies, such as microfiltration and reverse osmosis, are also utilized for various separation needs.

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2 views

Filtration

Filtration is crucial in wastewater treatment, particularly for removing impurities from surface water that does not undergo natural filtration. Filters are classified based on media type, depth, and filtration rate, with methods including slow and rapid sand filters, each having distinct advantages and disadvantages. Membrane filtration technologies, such as microfiltration and reverse osmosis, are also utilized for various separation needs.

Uploaded by

anandhuraj821
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FILTRATION

in WWT
Filtration
• Imp role in natural trt’ment of GW as it percolates thro’ the soil
• Removes flocs created by coagulation or oxidation processes

• But, surface water subjected to run-off; doesn’t undergo natural filtrn ➔


Must be filtered to remove particles & impurities
• Primarily dep on combination of complex physical and chemical
mechanisms; Most imp is “Adsorption”

• Coagulation & flocculation may occur in the filter bed


• Incomplete coagulation ➔ serious problems in filter operation
CLASSIFICATION OF FILTERS
• Based on filter media
• Sand filters, e.g. natural silica sand
• Anthracite filters, e.g. crushed anthracitic coal
• Diatomaceous earth filters
• Metal fabric filters (micro-strainers), e.g. stainless steel.

• Based on depth of filter media


• Deep granular filters, e.g. sand
• Dual‐ & Multi‐media filters (combination of two or more media)
• Granular activated carbon filters
• Powdered activated carbon filters
• Precoat filters, e.g. diatomaceous earth
CLASSIFICATION OF FILTRATION

Depth Filtration Surface Filtration Membrane Filtration


• Based on rate of filtrn, sand filters further classified as

• Gravity filters
• Slow sand filters
• Rapid sand filters
• High‐rate sand filters
• Pressure sand filters
RATE OF FILTRATION
• a.k.a. Loading Rate a.k.a. Face Velocity
• Flow rate of water applied per unit area of the filter;
• Velocity of the water approaching filter face, va

where,
• va = face velocity, m/d = loading rate, m3/d.m2
• Q = flow rate onto filter surface, m3/d
• As = surface area of filter, m2
MECHANISM OF FILTRATION
• The theory of filtration basically involves
transport mechanisms attachment mechanisms.
• Transport mechanism brings small particles from bulk soln to the surface
of the filtrn media by
a) gravitational settling b) diffusion c) interception d) hydrodynamics

The mechanisms are affected by physical char such as


size of filter medium size & density of suspended solids
filtration rate fluid temperature

As particles reach surface of filter media, an attachment mechanism reqd to


retain it. This occurs due to
electrostatic interactions chemical bridging specific adsorption
SLOW SAND FILTERS
• Water allowed at a slow rate thro’ a bed of sand; Coarse suspended solids are
retained on or near the bed surface.
• Loading rate of 2.9 – 7.6 m3/d.m2
• Raw water turbidity to be < 50 NTU.
• Filtering action is a combination of straining, adsorption & biological flocculn
• Gelatinous slimes of bacterial growth – ‘schmutzdecke’ – form on the surface
• In upper sand layer, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, rotifers, many aquatic insect larvae.
• Underlying sand provides support medium for the biological treatment layer.
• Slowly lose their performance as the schmutzdecke grows ➔ Reduces the rate
of flow thro’ the filter ➔ Needs refurbishing
CLEANING SLOW SAND FILTERS
• Scrapping:
• Top few mm of sand carefully scraped off using mechanical plant
• Exposes new layer of clean sand.
• Water then decanted back into filter & re‐circulated for few hrs to allow new
schmutzedecke to develop.
• Filter then filled to full depth; Brought back into service.

• Wet Harrowing:
• Lower water level to just above schmutzdecke
• Stir the sand & ➔ suspend any solids held in that layer
• Run the water to waste.
• Filter then filled to full depth; Brought back into service.
Advantages
• Simple to construct & supervise
• Suitable where sand is readily avb
• Effective in bacterial removal
• Preferable for uniform quality of treated water

Disadvantages
• Large area may be reqd
• Unsuitable for treating highly turbid waters
• Less flexibility in operation due to seasonal varns in raw water quality
RAPID SAND FILTERS
• Most common type of filter for treating municipal WW
• Water flows downward throughout bed under gravity
• When filter is washed, clean water forced upward ➔ expands filter
bed slightly & carries away accumulated impurities :: Backwashing
Advantages
• Turbid water may be treated
• Land reqd, relatively lesser compared to SSF
• Operation is continuous.
Disadvantages
• Requires skilled personnel for operation & maintenance
• Less effective in bacteria removal
• Operational troubles
TYPICAL GRADATION OF RSF
TYPES OF RSF
RSF based on filter material, three types:

• Single‐media filters:
• Have 1 type of media, usually sand or crushed anthracite coal

• Dual‐media filters:
• Have 2 types of media, usually crushed anthracite coal and sand.

• Multi‐media filters:
• Have > 2 types of media, usually crushed anthracite coal, sand, and garnet.
Design considerations for Depth Filters…

• Influent WW characteristics

• Design & operation of biological trt’ment process

• Type of filtrn technology to be used


• Conventional down flow filters
• Deep bed downflow filters
• Deep bed upflow filters
• Pulsed bed filter
Design considerations for Depth Filters…
• Avb flow control options
• Constant-rate filtration with fixed head
• Constant-rate filtration with variable head
• Variable declining-rate filtration
• Type of filter backwashing systems to be employed
• Water backwash
• Water backwash with auxiliary air scour
• Combined air-water backwashing
• Necessary filter appurtenances
• Underdrain system – support the filtering material, collect the filtered effluent and
distribute the backwash water and air
• The wash water troughs used to remove the spent backwash water from the filter
• Filter control systems & instrumentation
• Fully automatic control systems using PLC are used routinely
• BOD & TSS check
Performance of filter technologies
• Removal of
• turbidity
• total suspended solids
• particle size

Selection of filtration technology


• Type of filter to be used: proprietary or individually designed
• Filtration rate
• Filtration driving force
• No. & size of filter units
• Backwash requirements
Membrane Filtration
• Microfiltration
• Ultrafiltration
• Nanofiltration
• Reverse osmosis
• Dialysis
• Electrodialysis

Classified based on
• Type of material from which membrane is made
• Nature of driving force
• Separation mechanism
• Nominal size of the separation

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