Performance of an Integrated Settler Based Anaerobic Biofilm Reactor as Onsite Sanitation System

Abstract

The present study analysed the performance of an integrated settler based anaerobic biofilm reactor (ISBABR) for domestic wastewater treatment at two hydraulic loading conditions as an onsite sanitation system. The ISBABR is designed on the basic concept of conventional septic tanks and anaerobic biofilm reactors. The ISBABR was run on actual sewage after inoculating it with digested sludge, whose COD (Chemical oxygen demand) and VSS (Volatile suspended solids) values were 9.65 and 7.13 g/l respectively. The system was operated on steady and non-steady hydraulic loading conditions while maintaining 24 h HRT for 4 consecutive months. The average removal efficiency of the system in terms of TSS (Total suspended solids), BOD (Biochemical oxygen demand) and COD was found to be 90.09 ± 4.5%, 89.89 ± 3.2% and 87.89 ± 5.2% respectively, under both the hydraulic loading conditions. In bacterial analysis, the removal efficiency of the system in terms of TC (Total coliform) and FC (Fecal coliform) was found to be 85.5 ± 4.9% and 96.36 ± 1.5% respectively. The morphology of the sludge showed the presence of anaerobes, which was a good indicator for the system. The results of the present study prove that the ISBABR is perfect system for onsite sanitation.

Keywords:

• Anaerobic biofilm reactor
• Hydraulic loading
• Hydraulic retention time
• Integrated settler
• Onsite sanitation system
• Wastewater treatment

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

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. We are also thankful to the Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility (SAIF), Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, for FESEM analysis.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Department of Science and Technology Government of Rajasthan : [Grant Number F8 (9) DST / SSD / 2016 / Part-1/3809].

Notes on contributors

Surya Pratap Singh

Surya Pratap Singh is currently pursuing PhD in the Department of Civil Engineering of Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. He received his BTech degree in civil engineering from Buddha Institute of Technology, Gorakhpur, in 2015, the MTech degree in environmental engineering from Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur, UP, India. His research interest is the development of onsite sanitation system, biological wastewater treatment and faecal sludge management. He has worked on societal project financially sanctioned by DST Rajasthan., India. He has also published papers in peer reviewed journals and conferences. Email: [email protected]

Pooja Yadav

Pooja Yadav received Bachelor of Technology degree in civil engineering from Rajasthan Technical University in 2018. She completed diploma in civil engineering from B K N Govt Polytechnical College in 2012. She received Master of Technology degree in environmental engineering from Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, in 2020. Her research interest is biological wastewater treatment and performance efficacy of onsite sanitation systems in actual field condition. Email: [email protected]

Chirag Kumar

Chirag Kumar received his Bachelor of Technology degree in civil engineering from Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, in 2020. His work for final year project was on the sanitation. He has presented papers in reputed conferences including his final year project work. Email: [email protected]

Meena Kumari Sharma

Meena Kumari Sharma is presently working as an associate professor and Head of Civil Engineering Department at Manipal University Jaipur. She did her doctoral research work in the field of onsite/community based sanitation systems from the IIT Roorkee. With a total of 16 years of teaching and research experience, she has presented many research and conceptual papers in various international and national conference and seminars. She has various publications in international peer-reviewed journals, of which, some are top downloaded works, which also includes a case study depicting the importance of on-site/decentralized wastewater treatment systems and sanitation aspects.

Rakesh Chandra Gaur

R C Gaur received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1976 in civil engineering and post-graduation in 1982 in the specialization of environmental engineering from MBM Engineering College Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. He received his PhD in environmental engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. He has worked as Director University College of Engineering, Director Academics, Dean Students Welfare, Dean Research, Chairman Examination Committee, Chairman Higher Purchase Committee in RTU Kota. He retired as Pro-Vice-Chancellor from RTU Kota and presently working as Director and Provost in Manipal University Jaipur. Email: [email protected]