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UASB followed by Sub-Surface Horizontal Flow Phytodepuration for the Treatment of the Sewage Generated by a Small Rural Community

Author

Listed:
  • Massimo Raboni

    (School of Industrial Engineering, University Carlo Cattaneo-LIUC, Corso Matteotti, 22, I–21053 Castellanza Varese, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Renato Gavasci

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Computer Science Engineering, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Politecnico 1, I-00133 Roma, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Giordano Urbini

    (Department of Biotechnologies and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via G.B. Vico 46, I-21100 Varese, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

The paper presents the results of an experimental process designed for the treatment of the sewage generated by a rural community located in the north-east of Brazil. The process consists of a preliminary mechanical treatment adopting coarse screens and grit traps, followed by a biological treatment in a UASB reactor and a sub-surface horizontal flow phytodepuration step. The use of a UASB reactor equipped with a top cover, as well as of the phytodepuration process employing a porous medium, showed to present important health advantages. In particular, there were no significant odor emissions and there was no evidence of the proliferation of insects and other disease vectors. The plant achieved the following mean abatement efficiencies: 92.9% for BOD 5 , 79.2% for COD and 94% for Suspended Solids. With regard to fecal indicators average efficiencies of 98.8% for fecal coliforms and 97.9% for fecal enterococci were achieved. The UASB reactor showed an important role in achieving this result. The research was also aimed at evaluating the optimal operating conditions for the UASB reactor in terms of hydraulic load and organic volumetric loading. The achieved results hence indicated that the process may be highly effective for small rural communities in tropical and sub-tropical areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimo Raboni & Renato Gavasci & Giordano Urbini, 2014. "UASB followed by Sub-Surface Horizontal Flow Phytodepuration for the Treatment of the Sewage Generated by a Small Rural Community," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(10), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:6:y:2014:i:10:p:6998-7012:d:41006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Massimo Raboni & Vincenzo Torretta & Giordano Urbini, 2013. "Influence of Strong Diurnal Variations in Sewage Quality on the Performance of Biological Denitrification in Small Community Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(9), pages 1-11, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zohaib Ur Rehman Afridi & Wu Jing & Hassan Younas, 2019. "Biogas Production and Fundamental Mass Transfer Mechanism in Anaerobic Granular Sludge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Fabio Conti & Elena Cristina Rada & Paolo Viotti & Massimo Raboni, 2021. "Removal and Survival of Fecal Indicators in a Constructed Wetland after UASB Pre-Treatment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-16, August.
    3. Stevo Lavrnić & Maribel Zapater Pereyra & Sandra Cristino & Domenico Cupido & Giovanni Lucchese & Maria Rosaria Pascale & Attilio Toscano & Maurizio Mancini, 2020. "The Potential Role of Hybrid Constructed Wetlands Treating University Wastewater—Experience from Northern Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Caiado Couto, Lilia & Campos, Luiza C. & da Fonseca-Zang, Warde & Zang, Joachim & Bleischwitz, Raimund, 2021. "Water, waste, energy and food nexus in Brazil: Identifying a resource interlinkage research agenda through a systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).

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