A full-scale biological aerated filtration system application in the treatment of paints industry wastewater

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate an existing treatment technology for wastewater treatment unit from a paint production factory. Biological aerated filter is a good technique for reducing land used in the purpose of wastewater treatment. Influent discharged from this factory ranged between 50–120 m³/day with an average of 70 m³/day. This unit composed of primary and secondary sedimentation tanks, gravel filter and finally sand anthracite (3:1 by volume) filter. Aeration units and two submersible pumps were equipped for aerobic treatment and sediments removal. The unit influent was characterized by average values of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) and total suspended solids (TSS) were 1711±795, 748±180 and 3821±1621 mg/l, respectively. Primary sedimentation of the wastewater for six hours reduced the COD, BOD, and TSS by 43, 26, and 76%, respectively. The treated wastewater characteristics are in compliance with the Egyptian law which regulates the discharge of industrial wastewater to the sewerage system. The results from each treatment process proved to be efficient for the treatment of such wastewater.

Keywords: Paints wastewater treatment, Biological aerated filter and water quality